This paper will present ongoing ethnographic research on the North American alphorn community, practice variance between established cohorts, and their relation to Swiss tradition and pedagogy. The community formed as a result of the pursuit of specific stylistic and aesthetic standards. This paper will trace the migration of those standards from the Swiss tradition to the new North American practice and the ways in which the community has expertly translated traditional standards for amateur players. The alphorn community is strongly characterized by transnational identity markers, and this paper will examine how friendship and belonging are cultivated by alphorn players through shared practices and travel experiences. The community itself stretches over national borders, and North American community members consider Swiss alphorn players and makers their close friends. Players regularly collaborate and find companionship with Swiss musicians, and have integrated Swiss customs into their musical identity and performance practice. Alphorn instructors base educational retreats in North America on the Swiss model; some strive to maintain the Swiss style of alphorn playing and face pedagogical challenges posed by the aural tradition. The growing number of North American retreats embrace different attitudes towards alphorn competition, pedagogical philosophies, and group ethos. This paper examines the aspects of identity that are unique to the individual and the retreats, as well as overarching principles shared by most alphorn players from North America. The alphorn serves an important role in musical, personal, and social aspects of the respondents’ lives. Players strongly identify with the instrument, and the community is often their primary social outlet. Despite pedagogical disagreements and challenges posed by distance, the community remains strong. As one respondent states: “I honour their effort and their dedication to the art of blowing the alphorn. I value their friendship. We all serve the same master."