Topic: Any other Euphoniumists here on the forum?

[IndyFour]

In case you don't know what a "Euphoniumist" is.....it's a person who plays the euphonium (a conical-bore brass instrument....basically a small tuba).  Just curious if anyone on here plays one?

I'm a band director and studied Euphonium in college.  My main horn was a big swiss-made Hirsbrunner compensating horn up until a few years ago when I decided to sell it due to my buying a new house.  I needed the cash and wasn't playing it like I used to....and it was worth a significant amount.....so it sold.  Just recently, I've been missing playing and found this old vintage Besson (built in the mid-late 60s) for a steal and it just came today.  These old horns are neat and sound very nice.  They don't make 'em like they used to....these things are built like tanks.

So just curious....any other Euphoniumists here?  

Here are some pics...

[sangyo soichiro]

Well, I learned a new word today.

Nice looking instrument.  I wish I could play some type of instrument, but I never learned anything. 

[CycleRanger]

Awesome looking header!
Never heard of Besson.

 

[333]

At first, I thought you were referring to people who use euphemisms.  I double entendre with the best of 'em.

But seriously, expound on the band directer thing.



Oh, and nice horn.

[Damfino]

Maybe you could get a gig out here in Brazil.   

http://www.brazilconcertband.org/

"The Brazil Concert Band dates back to 1858, making it the oldest continuous concert band in Indiana."

My next door neighbor is a trombonist in the band.

[IndyFour]

But seriously, expound on the band directer thing.

Well, I teach beginning Band to 200ish 6th graders each year.  I start a new batch each fall, teaching them how to read music and play the various instruments in the band, then send them on to the middle school and get a brand new batch to start all over again the next fall.  You'd think it would get kind of old year after year, but 10-12 yr olds are like sponges and really learn quickly.  You'd be surprised how good they sound by the spring time!  Well, maybe "good" is a strong word.  It's all relative.     The concerts are certainly something to behold....200 kids sitting together in rows and playing the same song together (hopefully).  It's very......LOUD!   

[IndyFour]

Maybe you could get a gig out here in Brazil.   

http://www.brazilconcertband.org/

"The Brazil Concert Band dates back to 1858, making it the oldest continuous concert band in Indiana."

My next door neighbor is a trombonist in the band.

Looks like they have a nice little community band there with a long history.  Pretty neat.  Can't say I've ever been to Brazil, but I know where it is.  I think I recognize a name or two from the roster from college.

[oldbiker]

I still play Soprano Cornet with a local band although I'm 82 in December.  See http://www.4shared.com/account/audio/MiwhdqD-/Rhapsody_for_Eb_Soprano.html

[Hush]

With a bit of rejetting and some pods that thing might fly mate.

[hoodellyhoo]

I played trumpet, but I have a good friend who went on to play euphonium in the UW-Madison marching band. I was always jealous because every spring he got to go somwhere warm to play for whatever bowl game the football team was in.

[IndyFour]

I still play Soprano Cornet with a local band although I'm 82 in December.  See http://www.4shared.com/account/audio/MiwhdqD-/Rhapsody_for_Eb_Soprano.html

Brilliant performance!  Bravo!  Great piece too.  Thanks for sharing that! 

[dave500]

get four of them and make a euphonic exhaust system.

[Don R]

Is that like a Baritone?

[IndyFour]

get four of them and make a euphonic exhaust system.

That would look unique for sure!

[IndyFour]

Is that like a Baritone?

Yes.  Most baritones that kids play in schools these days are really euphoniums.  A true baritone horn is about the same size, but it is not conical, but rather cylindrical (like a trumpet)....meaning the diameter of the tubing remains mostly the same throughout the instrument until the end where the bell is attached.  The Euphonium is conical (like the french horn)....so the tubing constantly gets larger throughout the horn as it goes from the valves to the bell.  It produces a more mellow tone than a baritone would.  So when a kid says "I play the baritone in the school band.", they probably actually play a euphonium, but just call it a baritone.

[oldyzracer]

Hi there. I play the euphonium in my local community band (Camrose Community Band) up here in Canada, which practices in my former high school: Camrose Composite High. We are directed by Tom Spila, who was my band teacher in high school. I played the euphonium from grade 7 to 12, then stopped playing for 23 years. Then I moved back home in 2004 (lived in Edmonton, AB. and on Vancouver Island BC) and heard that there was a community band. I'd always wanted to play more but never had anyone to play with, so I jumped at the chance, and purchased a cheap euphonium. It is a Korean-made Jupiter with four valves (non-compensating) but is similar to the Yamaha I played in High School. I don't have a very good ear, unfortunately, and often play a bit out of tune. I have now played in the Community band for 6 years, and enjoy it very much. Nice to hear that there are other euphoniumists out there. It may be just coincidence, but I had to have a four valve euphonium because I liked the extra piping, and I bought a CB750K because I liked the four exhaust pipes.

[Don R]

I too, learned something. Thanks.