Thursday, 18 August 2011
This year has been David'92s busiest to date. Here David provides a personal insight to his schedule, plans for the future and much more!
'93Having enjoyed Christmas with the family it wasn'92t long before I was waving goodbye to Joanne for an early January visit to the Netherlands. My lasting memory will be the superb concert with Ensemble EMM '96 a wonderful group of talented musicians. It was also great to meet so many other euphonium players at the Oudega Master Class.
Oudega Masterclass students.
One of my January highlights is usually the RNCM Festival of Brass, and this year was no different. It provides an opportunity to perform and listen to substantial works for brass by many of our leading composers. In 2010 I had the honour of performing Karl Jenkins'92 25 minute Concerto for euphonium at the Festival and this year I was invited to play a work by an old college friend, Peter Meechan. Pete really is making a great name for himself as a composer, and when the opportunity to play his '91Sparta'92 arose I was only too happy to oblige. It's fairly tricky both technically and musically, but I enjoyed spending the time on it and was delighted the composer was in the audience for the performance. Following the concert one reviewer kindly wrote the following:
'93It is hard to find superlatives for David Childs, who once again showed just why he is the brass band movement'92s finest performer. Dr Peter Meechan's 'Sparta' originates from his euphonium concerto, 'Three Stories-Three Worlds' - a work deserving of perhaps a full-blown outing. The soloist though delivered a joyously facile rendition, played with breathtaking technique and musical artistry.'94
Scotland is one of my favourite places - fantastic landscape. friendly people and a strong music culture. I'92ve spent a lot of time in Glasgow over the years, but on this occasion I was closer to Edinburgh as a guest of the SBBA. Together with my good friend tuba star Les Neish, we adjudicated the Scottish Solo and Ensemble Championships, before performing together in the Gala Concert.
Here Les and I are actually in Wales outside Cardiff's new Concert Hall.
With further concerts in Bradford on Avon, the Hall for Cornwall, Welsh Millennium Centre and the Forest of Dean, it wasn'92t long before Cory were getting ready for their first competition of the year, the Welsh Regional Championships. We had a great piece to work on in the form of Philip Wilby'92s Paganini Variations and after a great deal of preparation the performance was very special indeed. We found favour with the adjudicator who awarded us first prize and secured Cory's place as the number 1 ranked band in the world. In honesty I have mixed feelings about '91competitive'92 music making, but it'92s fair to say the experience is definitely enhanced when you have brilliant music to play, and you win!
Cory Cory Hallelujah!
Following further dates in Germany (Frankfurt) and Birmingham (CBSO Centre) it wasn'92t long before I found myself back in New York, this time playing the iconic Lincoln Centre, home to the New York Philharmonic. The concert went great with Keith Allen and the Birmingham Symphonic Winds on fine form. The New York reviewer gave the concert a 5 star rating and wrote:
"A triumph for soloist David Childs delivering a wide variety of intriguing sounds and captivating pyrotechnics...his performance of the Romanza accomplished expressive phrasing, the kind you would hear in song performed by a great tenor...in A Troika? Tidy we heard him play at a speed that even a trumpet player would have difficulty reaching...the audience marvelled at this display."
The Lincoln Centre - Karl Jenkins & myself on 7th Avenue New York
Whilst in New York I was working hard between rehearsals learning two new pieces: Waespi's Audivi Media Nocte and Christian Lindberg's extremely tough Euphonium Concerto (plus one or two other bits and pieces). Buffet Crampon NY and the NY Staff band were great - they invited me to use their studios for practice which was far more enjoyable than a hotel room, and much better for the other hotel guests too! Once back in Wales it was straight into rehearsals for the Royal Welsh Festival of Brass and Cory's preparation for the European Championships.
Buffet Crampon USA - just off Broadway
Christian Lindberg has been a musical hero of mine for many years '96 he is a phenomenal musician and a brass playing legend, so when he invited me to give the British premiere of his Concerto for Euphonium and Orchestra, (with him conducting!) I was absolutely thrilled. Working with him was an honour and an experience I'92ll never forget. The concert was certainly adrenaline fuelled and seemed to find favour with the audience too. Kevin Price, former principal trombonist with the Liverpool Philharmonic and Head of Brass at the Royal Welsh College wrote some very kind words following the event:
'93David Childs worked with Christian Lindberg and the RWCMD Chamber orchestra throughout the 2011 RWCMD Festival of Brass, which culminated with a performance of Christian Lindberg'92s euphonium concerto Olle and the Steamboat Jetty with the RWCMD chamber Orchestra under the baton of Christian Lindberg. David approached this fiendishly difficult work with a disciplined, musical ease which was in evidence from the first note of the first rehearsal. RWCMD students were privileged to observe and work with two of the world'92s greatest brass musicians and to witness the rapport and mutual respect that came about as a result of this extraordinary collaboration. Both Christian and David have devoted their professional lives to develop and enhance the profile of their chosen instruments and every member of the Hoddinott Hall audience sat spellbound throughout the performance which broke down traditional musical boundaries and provided two great brass musicians with the opportunity to create an unforgettable musical experience for us all.'94
Rehearsing with Christian Lindberg and an autographed copy of the CD which helped put him on the musical map!
Following the concert in Cardiff I jumped straight into the Mini Cooper and raced Italian Job style to Heathrow Airport in time to catch a flight to Switzerland to play with Cory at the European Championships the following day. The band gave two stunning performances of Waespi'92s Audivi Media Nocte and Jan Van Der Roost'92s From Ancient Times in Montreux's magnificant Stravinsky Hall; both receiving standing ovations from the audience!
The audience are on their feet at the conclusinon of Cory'92s performance.
Following a brilliant Gala Concert in Montreux, during which I had the pleasure of performing Karl Jenkins'92 beautiful Lament from Stabat Mater, I remained in Switzerland to work with the Lucerne Youth Band who's guest conductor happened to be someone I know quite well - my Dad! We had a great week as conductor and soloist, and the young swiss musicians were outstanding - their combined efforts culminating in three superb concerts. Whilst in Lucerne I gave a masterclass for Besson at leading store for brass, but It wasn't all hard work! Dad and I had some fun sailing on Lake Lucerne!
Masterclass venue - music retailer and repair specialist Musik Punkt. It was good to see the new DC mouthpiece range doing well in Switzerland too.
Dad sailing us out to Wagner's boat house, and post concert with band members.
After a few days back home in Wales, and another concert with Cory in Cardiff, I found myself back at London Heathrow having a bite to eat in Gordon Ramsey'92s restaurant before boarding another flight to New York. This time it was a masterclass and solo performance at Montclair University. Although only a whistle stop trip, it was very enjoyable, especially catching up with my friends; Jason Ham, Johan De Meij, Mark Freeh, Steve Dillon and Steve Allen.
Sharing a toast with composer Johan de Meij and fellow euphonium soloist Jason Ham. (Johan is working on a euphonium concerto!)
Masterclass, plus a post concert photo with the legendary Steve Dillon of Dillon Music - a great guy.
From New York, it was down to Cornwall to work with the young musicians of Camborne, before dashing back up to Wales to take part in a charity concert organised by one of my past students Shoko Morimoto. It was an intimate event in aid of the Japan Tsunami Appeal, but I was delighted to be part of the concert. As well as it being for a very worthy cause, it provided a rare opportunity to play some duets with my Dad. Sometimes the smallest of concerts can be the most rewarding...
I should probably mention, Shoko Morimoto was the first overseas student to study with me at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Between the Royal Welsh College and the Birmingham Conservatoire I now have sixteen first study euphonium students from America, Japan, New Zealand, Ireland, Belgium and the UK, so when I'92m not away playing concerts, I'92m often helping them prepare for their assessments and recitals.
4 Royal Welsh College students in concert: Steve Kane (UK) John Huber (USA) James McLeod (UK) & Byron Newton (NZ)
Although completely different to performing, helping players fulfil their potential is something I enjoy and something I spent quite a lot of time doing during my fist trip to Singapore! I visited Singapore at the end of May to perform at the Brass Explosion Festival. I gave three master classes, performed a recital with Scott Hartman, Paul Archibald and James Gourlay, shared a concert with James Morrison, watched Manchester United lose the Champions League Final to Barcelona, and had my wallet stolen! By stolen I mean I left it in the back of a taxi on my way back from the match!
Enthusiastic autograph hunters, masterclass students, and trombone superstar Scott Hartman.
Apart from the football (I'm a United fan!) and '91stolen'92 wallet, Singapore was fantastic '96 particularly spending time with, and listening to so many of the fantastic musicians on the bill. The pick of the bunch had to be multi-instrumentalist James Morrison though '96 every time I hear him I'92m blown away by his musicianship. He's also great fun to spend time with - you really won'92t meet a nicer guy. He's primarily known for his outstanding trumpet and trombone playing, but you should hear his euphonium playing too!
James Morrison & I back stage.
Left: Desford Band & I conducted by James Gourlay. Right: Deford & James - Check out the instrument he's playing... I leant him mine!
Whilst in Singapore I spent the spare time I had trying to get to grips with a new Euphonium Concerto which had been composed for me to perform on a CD recording with the Fribourg Band. When I returned from Singapore I had just a few days in the practice room before I flew out to a Swiss studio to record the new work with the composer, Jean-Francois Michel conducting. It went down with relative ease during a two hour session thanks to a well prepared band and conductor. I'92m looking forward to going back out to Switzerland in December to give the first public performance of the concerto at the CD launch concert. Its a an extremely expressive work and one which I feel will become a popular addition to the euphonium repertoire. From Geneva it was on to Amsterdam'85
In the recording studio with Jean-Francois Michel & Fribourg
After another visit to Camborne and a guest soloist appearance with the City of Cardiff Band in Cardiff's new 'a322 million Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Concert Hall, I found myself on London'92s South Bank performing the Jenkins'92 Concerto in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, broadcast on a BBC radio 2 as part of the '91Light Fantastic Weekend'92 '96 a celebration of the 1951 Festival of Britain. It really was a '91Fantastic'92 concert to be involved in; a unique venue and some brilliant repertoire including Malcolm Arnold'92s Fantasy for Band.
On the way home from London I started devising a programme for my next project '96 Eminence Brass'92 appearance at the Durham International Festival. Eminence is a fantastic quartet to play in. Making music with three close friends (Richard Marshall '96 Principal Cornet Black Dyke Band, Phil Cobb '96 Principal Trumpet London Symphony Orchestra, and Owen Farr '96 Principal Horn Cory Band) is special, but when they'92re the best in their field it is mind blowing! As a group we agreed to commission some new music, use some existing originals and arrange some music ourselves for the Durham concerts, but as it turned out we ended up with more than 3 hours of music for a 2 hour concert! Once we finally settled on a programme, the four of us met up in Queensbury Yorkshire where we had an evening rehearsal in Black Dyke'92s historic band room - a special place indeed. The following day we travelled up to Durham for our concerts which went very well; full houses and standing ovations '96 you can'92t ask for anymore as a player.
Our first concert venue: Brancepeth's beautiful 900-year-old church St. Brandon's
On the way back from Durham to Wales I stopped off in Birmingham to perform the Karl Jenkins Concerto once again, this time at the CBSO Centre with Birmingham Symphonic Winds, then I had a couple of days at home to prepare the Horowitz Concerto for a performance celebrating the composer'92s 85th birthday at the Welsh Proms, St David'92s Hall. What a great piece it is. I remember being moved to tears when I heard my Dad perform this work at London's Royal College of Music conducted by the late James Watson in the early '90s - the middle movement was sublime. This Welsh Proms performance was extra special for me as my Dad was conducting and I was using his 20 year old gold plated euphonium as mine was in Germany being repaired.
Rehearsing with Cory in St David's Hall - Dad'92s Gold euphonium
The day after the Proms concert it was time for a quick break; 5 days in Portugal relaxing with family and playing some golf. I'92m really not very good at golf, but I do enjoy it!
Dad, Mum, sister Lisa, brother in-law Olly and Joanne relaxing in the Algarve.
Golf with Dad and Olly. I'92m the one fishing my ball out of the water!
I'92d have liked my summer holiday to have been longer than five days, but on this occasion I needed to return to the UK for a unique recital billed as '91Out on their Own'92. The evening, which concluded the Metal Festival at Solomon'92s Pump House Southend was shared with Jonathan Aasgard, Principal Cellist with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, star percussionist Kuljit Bhamra, Tamsin Thorne & John Tothill. I had the honour of closing the concert, but had a great time listening to the other guys from backstage '96 stunning playing.
From Southend it was on to Malvern to tutor the euphonium and baritone section of a band with a special place in my heart. Not only was I a proud member of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, it was on a NYBBW course 15 years ago where I met my beautiful wife Joanne! In addition to helping the young euphonium and baritone players I had the privilege of being the band'92s guest soloist for their concerts at the Margam Festival and Royal Welsh Concert Hall. 4br reviewer Iwan Fox was kind enough to write:
'93Nothing much changes with David Childs either '96 once again displaying the full gamut of his quite extraordinary talents in the Karl Jenkins '91Euphonium Concerto'92. The transparent, engaging nature of the writing camouflages its quite ferocious technicalities. From the prestidigitation-juggling act to open and delicate romance to follow, he sashayed through the sultry, sensuous tango and the exuberant Welsh troika to close in a performance of stunning facility and witty joyfulness. He returned in the second half to perform two contrasting lollipops with '91Brillante'92 and '91Myfanwy'92, yet the overriding impression left was of an engaging world-class performer playing with engrossing musicality.'94
Margam Park home to the Margam Festival & the new RWCMD Concert Hall
Having sharpened up my tutoring skills on the NYBBW it was then time for two weeks of tutoring a total of 44 euphonium and baritone players ranging from 8 years of age to 88 years of age! My father and uncle run the week long International Brass Band Summer School in Swansea and I am a Director of the week long Brass Band Summer School in Framlingham. As euphonium tutor on both courses I meet some lovely people of varying abilities, but all have a passion for music.
Children from the International Brass Band Summer School
The euphonium delegates from Framlingham's Brass Band Summer School present me with a gift.
Right now I'92m enjoying a few days at home. Next week I'92ll be going to Germany to select a new euphonium from the Besson factory in Markneukirchen, before making my debut in Amsterdam's Concertgebouw performing the Jenkins Concerto. I have the British Open with Cory after that, then trips to Paris and Malta, concerts in Cindeford and Bradford on Avon, preparations for the Royal Albert Hall National Championships, before I begin to gear myself up for the most important engagement of my life so far; November 15th - the day my wife is due to give birth to our first child!
I'll leave you with this photo: Richard Marshall, father of 6 month old Bella, leads fathers to be Owen Farr and I on a reconnaissance mission between an Eminence Brass' soundcheck and concert!
'93Having enjoyed Christmas with the family it wasn'92t long before I was waving goodbye to Joanne for an early January visit to the Netherlands. My lasting memory will be the superb concert with Ensemble EMM '96 a wonderful group of talented musicians. It was also great to meet so many other euphonium players at the Oudega Master Class.
Oudega Masterclass students.
One of my January highlights is usually the RNCM Festival of Brass, and this year was no different. It provides an opportunity to perform and listen to substantial works for brass by many of our leading composers. In 2010 I had the honour of performing Karl Jenkins'92 25 minute Concerto for euphonium at the Festival and this year I was invited to play a work by an old college friend, Peter Meechan. Pete really is making a great name for himself as a composer, and when the opportunity to play his '91Sparta'92 arose I was only too happy to oblige. It's fairly tricky both technically and musically, but I enjoyed spending the time on it and was delighted the composer was in the audience for the performance. Following the concert one reviewer kindly wrote the following:
'93It is hard to find superlatives for David Childs, who once again showed just why he is the brass band movement'92s finest performer. Dr Peter Meechan's 'Sparta' originates from his euphonium concerto, 'Three Stories-Three Worlds' - a work deserving of perhaps a full-blown outing. The soloist though delivered a joyously facile rendition, played with breathtaking technique and musical artistry.'94
Scotland is one of my favourite places - fantastic landscape. friendly people and a strong music culture. I'92ve spent a lot of time in Glasgow over the years, but on this occasion I was closer to Edinburgh as a guest of the SBBA. Together with my good friend tuba star Les Neish, we adjudicated the Scottish Solo and Ensemble Championships, before performing together in the Gala Concert.
Here Les and I are actually in Wales outside Cardiff's new Concert Hall.
With further concerts in Bradford on Avon, the Hall for Cornwall, Welsh Millennium Centre and the Forest of Dean, it wasn'92t long before Cory were getting ready for their first competition of the year, the Welsh Regional Championships. We had a great piece to work on in the form of Philip Wilby'92s Paganini Variations and after a great deal of preparation the performance was very special indeed. We found favour with the adjudicator who awarded us first prize and secured Cory's place as the number 1 ranked band in the world. In honesty I have mixed feelings about '91competitive'92 music making, but it'92s fair to say the experience is definitely enhanced when you have brilliant music to play, and you win!
Cory Cory Hallelujah!
Following further dates in Germany (Frankfurt) and Birmingham (CBSO Centre) it wasn'92t long before I found myself back in New York, this time playing the iconic Lincoln Centre, home to the New York Philharmonic. The concert went great with Keith Allen and the Birmingham Symphonic Winds on fine form. The New York reviewer gave the concert a 5 star rating and wrote:
"A triumph for soloist David Childs delivering a wide variety of intriguing sounds and captivating pyrotechnics...his performance of the Romanza accomplished expressive phrasing, the kind you would hear in song performed by a great tenor...in A Troika? Tidy we heard him play at a speed that even a trumpet player would have difficulty reaching...the audience marvelled at this display."
The Lincoln Centre - Karl Jenkins & myself on 7th Avenue New York
Whilst in New York I was working hard between rehearsals learning two new pieces: Waespi's Audivi Media Nocte and Christian Lindberg's extremely tough Euphonium Concerto (plus one or two other bits and pieces). Buffet Crampon NY and the NY Staff band were great - they invited me to use their studios for practice which was far more enjoyable than a hotel room, and much better for the other hotel guests too! Once back in Wales it was straight into rehearsals for the Royal Welsh Festival of Brass and Cory's preparation for the European Championships.
Buffet Crampon USA - just off Broadway
Christian Lindberg has been a musical hero of mine for many years '96 he is a phenomenal musician and a brass playing legend, so when he invited me to give the British premiere of his Concerto for Euphonium and Orchestra, (with him conducting!) I was absolutely thrilled. Working with him was an honour and an experience I'92ll never forget. The concert was certainly adrenaline fuelled and seemed to find favour with the audience too. Kevin Price, former principal trombonist with the Liverpool Philharmonic and Head of Brass at the Royal Welsh College wrote some very kind words following the event:
'93David Childs worked with Christian Lindberg and the RWCMD Chamber orchestra throughout the 2011 RWCMD Festival of Brass, which culminated with a performance of Christian Lindberg'92s euphonium concerto Olle and the Steamboat Jetty with the RWCMD chamber Orchestra under the baton of Christian Lindberg. David approached this fiendishly difficult work with a disciplined, musical ease which was in evidence from the first note of the first rehearsal. RWCMD students were privileged to observe and work with two of the world'92s greatest brass musicians and to witness the rapport and mutual respect that came about as a result of this extraordinary collaboration. Both Christian and David have devoted their professional lives to develop and enhance the profile of their chosen instruments and every member of the Hoddinott Hall audience sat spellbound throughout the performance which broke down traditional musical boundaries and provided two great brass musicians with the opportunity to create an unforgettable musical experience for us all.'94
Rehearsing with Christian Lindberg and an autographed copy of the CD which helped put him on the musical map!
Following the concert in Cardiff I jumped straight into the Mini Cooper and raced Italian Job style to Heathrow Airport in time to catch a flight to Switzerland to play with Cory at the European Championships the following day. The band gave two stunning performances of Waespi'92s Audivi Media Nocte and Jan Van Der Roost'92s From Ancient Times in Montreux's magnificant Stravinsky Hall; both receiving standing ovations from the audience!
The audience are on their feet at the conclusinon of Cory'92s performance.
Following a brilliant Gala Concert in Montreux, during which I had the pleasure of performing Karl Jenkins'92 beautiful Lament from Stabat Mater, I remained in Switzerland to work with the Lucerne Youth Band who's guest conductor happened to be someone I know quite well - my Dad! We had a great week as conductor and soloist, and the young swiss musicians were outstanding - their combined efforts culminating in three superb concerts. Whilst in Lucerne I gave a masterclass for Besson at leading store for brass, but It wasn't all hard work! Dad and I had some fun sailing on Lake Lucerne!
Masterclass venue - music retailer and repair specialist Musik Punkt. It was good to see the new DC mouthpiece range doing well in Switzerland too.
Dad sailing us out to Wagner's boat house, and post concert with band members.
After a few days back home in Wales, and another concert with Cory in Cardiff, I found myself back at London Heathrow having a bite to eat in Gordon Ramsey'92s restaurant before boarding another flight to New York. This time it was a masterclass and solo performance at Montclair University. Although only a whistle stop trip, it was very enjoyable, especially catching up with my friends; Jason Ham, Johan De Meij, Mark Freeh, Steve Dillon and Steve Allen.
Sharing a toast with composer Johan de Meij and fellow euphonium soloist Jason Ham. (Johan is working on a euphonium concerto!)
Masterclass, plus a post concert photo with the legendary Steve Dillon of Dillon Music - a great guy.
From New York, it was down to Cornwall to work with the young musicians of Camborne, before dashing back up to Wales to take part in a charity concert organised by one of my past students Shoko Morimoto. It was an intimate event in aid of the Japan Tsunami Appeal, but I was delighted to be part of the concert. As well as it being for a very worthy cause, it provided a rare opportunity to play some duets with my Dad. Sometimes the smallest of concerts can be the most rewarding...
I should probably mention, Shoko Morimoto was the first overseas student to study with me at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Between the Royal Welsh College and the Birmingham Conservatoire I now have sixteen first study euphonium students from America, Japan, New Zealand, Ireland, Belgium and the UK, so when I'92m not away playing concerts, I'92m often helping them prepare for their assessments and recitals.
4 Royal Welsh College students in concert: Steve Kane (UK) John Huber (USA) James McLeod (UK) & Byron Newton (NZ)
Although completely different to performing, helping players fulfil their potential is something I enjoy and something I spent quite a lot of time doing during my fist trip to Singapore! I visited Singapore at the end of May to perform at the Brass Explosion Festival. I gave three master classes, performed a recital with Scott Hartman, Paul Archibald and James Gourlay, shared a concert with James Morrison, watched Manchester United lose the Champions League Final to Barcelona, and had my wallet stolen! By stolen I mean I left it in the back of a taxi on my way back from the match!
Enthusiastic autograph hunters, masterclass students, and trombone superstar Scott Hartman.
Apart from the football (I'm a United fan!) and '91stolen'92 wallet, Singapore was fantastic '96 particularly spending time with, and listening to so many of the fantastic musicians on the bill. The pick of the bunch had to be multi-instrumentalist James Morrison though '96 every time I hear him I'92m blown away by his musicianship. He's also great fun to spend time with - you really won'92t meet a nicer guy. He's primarily known for his outstanding trumpet and trombone playing, but you should hear his euphonium playing too!
James Morrison & I back stage.
Left: Desford Band & I conducted by James Gourlay. Right: Deford & James - Check out the instrument he's playing... I leant him mine!
Whilst in Singapore I spent the spare time I had trying to get to grips with a new Euphonium Concerto which had been composed for me to perform on a CD recording with the Fribourg Band. When I returned from Singapore I had just a few days in the practice room before I flew out to a Swiss studio to record the new work with the composer, Jean-Francois Michel conducting. It went down with relative ease during a two hour session thanks to a well prepared band and conductor. I'92m looking forward to going back out to Switzerland in December to give the first public performance of the concerto at the CD launch concert. Its a an extremely expressive work and one which I feel will become a popular addition to the euphonium repertoire. From Geneva it was on to Amsterdam'85
In the recording studio with Jean-Francois Michel & Fribourg
After another visit to Camborne and a guest soloist appearance with the City of Cardiff Band in Cardiff's new 'a322 million Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Concert Hall, I found myself on London'92s South Bank performing the Jenkins'92 Concerto in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, broadcast on a BBC radio 2 as part of the '91Light Fantastic Weekend'92 '96 a celebration of the 1951 Festival of Britain. It really was a '91Fantastic'92 concert to be involved in; a unique venue and some brilliant repertoire including Malcolm Arnold'92s Fantasy for Band.
On the way home from London I started devising a programme for my next project '96 Eminence Brass'92 appearance at the Durham International Festival. Eminence is a fantastic quartet to play in. Making music with three close friends (Richard Marshall '96 Principal Cornet Black Dyke Band, Phil Cobb '96 Principal Trumpet London Symphony Orchestra, and Owen Farr '96 Principal Horn Cory Band) is special, but when they'92re the best in their field it is mind blowing! As a group we agreed to commission some new music, use some existing originals and arrange some music ourselves for the Durham concerts, but as it turned out we ended up with more than 3 hours of music for a 2 hour concert! Once we finally settled on a programme, the four of us met up in Queensbury Yorkshire where we had an evening rehearsal in Black Dyke'92s historic band room - a special place indeed. The following day we travelled up to Durham for our concerts which went very well; full houses and standing ovations '96 you can'92t ask for anymore as a player.
Our first concert venue: Brancepeth's beautiful 900-year-old church St. Brandon's
On the way back from Durham to Wales I stopped off in Birmingham to perform the Karl Jenkins Concerto once again, this time at the CBSO Centre with Birmingham Symphonic Winds, then I had a couple of days at home to prepare the Horowitz Concerto for a performance celebrating the composer'92s 85th birthday at the Welsh Proms, St David'92s Hall. What a great piece it is. I remember being moved to tears when I heard my Dad perform this work at London's Royal College of Music conducted by the late James Watson in the early '90s - the middle movement was sublime. This Welsh Proms performance was extra special for me as my Dad was conducting and I was using his 20 year old gold plated euphonium as mine was in Germany being repaired.
Rehearsing with Cory in St David's Hall - Dad'92s Gold euphonium
The day after the Proms concert it was time for a quick break; 5 days in Portugal relaxing with family and playing some golf. I'92m really not very good at golf, but I do enjoy it!
Dad, Mum, sister Lisa, brother in-law Olly and Joanne relaxing in the Algarve.
Golf with Dad and Olly. I'92m the one fishing my ball out of the water!
I'92d have liked my summer holiday to have been longer than five days, but on this occasion I needed to return to the UK for a unique recital billed as '91Out on their Own'92. The evening, which concluded the Metal Festival at Solomon'92s Pump House Southend was shared with Jonathan Aasgard, Principal Cellist with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, star percussionist Kuljit Bhamra, Tamsin Thorne & John Tothill. I had the honour of closing the concert, but had a great time listening to the other guys from backstage '96 stunning playing.
From Southend it was on to Malvern to tutor the euphonium and baritone section of a band with a special place in my heart. Not only was I a proud member of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, it was on a NYBBW course 15 years ago where I met my beautiful wife Joanne! In addition to helping the young euphonium and baritone players I had the privilege of being the band'92s guest soloist for their concerts at the Margam Festival and Royal Welsh Concert Hall. 4br reviewer Iwan Fox was kind enough to write:
'93Nothing much changes with David Childs either '96 once again displaying the full gamut of his quite extraordinary talents in the Karl Jenkins '91Euphonium Concerto'92. The transparent, engaging nature of the writing camouflages its quite ferocious technicalities. From the prestidigitation-juggling act to open and delicate romance to follow, he sashayed through the sultry, sensuous tango and the exuberant Welsh troika to close in a performance of stunning facility and witty joyfulness. He returned in the second half to perform two contrasting lollipops with '91Brillante'92 and '91Myfanwy'92, yet the overriding impression left was of an engaging world-class performer playing with engrossing musicality.'94
Margam Park home to the Margam Festival & the new RWCMD Concert Hall
Having sharpened up my tutoring skills on the NYBBW it was then time for two weeks of tutoring a total of 44 euphonium and baritone players ranging from 8 years of age to 88 years of age! My father and uncle run the week long International Brass Band Summer School in Swansea and I am a Director of the week long Brass Band Summer School in Framlingham. As euphonium tutor on both courses I meet some lovely people of varying abilities, but all have a passion for music.
Children from the International Brass Band Summer School
The euphonium delegates from Framlingham's Brass Band Summer School present me with a gift.
Right now I'92m enjoying a few days at home. Next week I'92ll be going to Germany to select a new euphonium from the Besson factory in Markneukirchen, before making my debut in Amsterdam's Concertgebouw performing the Jenkins Concerto. I have the British Open with Cory after that, then trips to Paris and Malta, concerts in Cindeford and Bradford on Avon, preparations for the Royal Albert Hall National Championships, before I begin to gear myself up for the most important engagement of my life so far; November 15th - the day my wife is due to give birth to our first child!
I'll leave you with this photo: Richard Marshall, father of 6 month old Bella, leads fathers to be Owen Farr and I on a reconnaissance mission between an Eminence Brass' soundcheck and concert!
