Dave Krehbiel's fast-moving memoir, Through the Door: A Horn-Player's Journey, relates the adventures of a young musician who uses his musical talents to cover up his scholastic shortcomings. In so doing, he finds himself, miraculously, in the career of his dreams-playing principal horn for Chicago, Detroit, and San Francisco symphony orchestras.
When the door opens for him, he finds himself in his first job, playing assistant principal horn for...