Archive · 20 Nov 2025
Musician Plays in Antarctica's Extreme Cold
A musician from New Zealand's navy is playing her French horn in Antarctica.
She uses a plastic instrument that won't freeze, and she finds inspiration in the cold, wild beauty of the place.
She's the first military musician known to have been posted there.
Natalie Paine, a French horn player, is stationed in Antarctica since October 2022
She practices in a 1957 hut, using a plastic instrument to avoid freezing
Paine is the first military musician known to be posted to Antarctica
She performs live for ceremonies, including the changing of the flag
Paine finds inspiration in Antarctica's wild beauty
- Who
- Natalie Paine, a French horn player in New Zealand's navy
- What
- Playing her French horn in Antarctica
- When
- Since October 2022
- Where
- Antarctica, specifically at Scott Base
- Why
- To support scientific work and share music with fellow station members
Challenges of Playing in Extreme Cold
Inspiration from Antarctica
Instrument
Challenges of Playing in Extreme Cold
Plastic instrument needed to prevent freezing
Inspiration from Antarctica
Inspiration from Antarctica's wild beauty
- Instrument
- jHorn, a plastic French horn designed for children
- Temperature
- Minus 21 degrees Celsius (minus 6 Fahrenheit)
- Duration of Stay
- Until March 2023