Mary Beth Orr’s “Good and True“ feat. Greg Scheer lives as a bright testament to her ability to meld classical precision with folk warmth. Best known for her incredible work on “The Singing Horn,” Orr further explores the meeting-point of horn and voice, and this single is a clear representation of her musical goal.
Beginning with Orr’s own horn phrasing, the song instantly creates an intimate, pensive mood. The French horn, warm and sighing, converses with this cerebral woman’s crisp, emotive vocals, drawing listeners into a world that seems both ancient and intensely intimate. The subtlety of Greg Scheer’s contribution adds depth of resonance, and the player of the mixed voices has the feeling of an orchestral dialogue between voices and instruments, which, while highly contrived, is natural and accomplished.
On a bedrock of classical tradition, “Good and True“ combines a folk-inflected sensibility that makes it more accessible than one might expect. Orr’s capacity to inject classical technique with folk storytelling makes every note carry weight and sentiment. The pacing feels both thoughtful and effortless, the work of someone who has spent her years conducting ensembles like the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Detroit Symphony, and the Charleston Symphony. Her virtuosity is undeniable, and it’s a balance she’ll showcase again and again on her 26-song LP, “The Singing Horn,’ which was recognized with Silver Outstanding Achievement Honors from the 2025 Global Music Awards.
The single reverberates like a sincere, heartfelt, and welcoming love letter itself. It is an embodiment of Orr’s belief in connecting through music the disparate lines of generations and culture, a soaring piece that somehow manages to sound as if it belongs in both a centuries-old folk gathering and a modern symphonic concert hall.
For those already under the spell of Orr’s gift for seamless weaving of horn and voice, “Good and True” is another horn stop on a journey that is technically brilliant and emotionally rewarding. And for the uninitiated, it’s an ideal entryway into her distinct musical world, where tradition and innovation meet and every note has a story behind it. Mary Beth Orr and Greg Scheer have not merely written a song but an encounter the effect of which reverberates long after the final horn.
Connect with Mary Beth Orr on Instagram – @maryborr3rdhorn
