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Reviews & Articles
Saturday, 28 August 2010

Hollywood

British euphonium soloist David Childs visited Southern California from May 28-31, 2009. He gave masterclasses and recitals at Pasadena City College and the ITEA Southwest Regional Tuba & Euphonium Conference at Biola University. He also appeared in concert on Sunday evening, May 31, with the Golden State British Brass Band at the Episcopal Church of St. Andrew in Fullerton.

A euphonium soloist of international renown, David Childs has toured the world extensively and recorded a number of solo albums. In 2000 he won the brass category of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition, becoming the first euphonium player to do so. In addition to his solo endeavors, Mr. Childs also performs as a member of the Cory Band of Rhondda, Wales. More information, a bio, reviews, and a discography may be found on his personal website, www.davechilds.com.

The following narrative of his visit was provided by GSBBB euphonium player Norm Taylor:

The David Childs weekend is history and life has returned to something resembling normal. A review of his visit for our internet friends permits us to share the gratitude, amazement, enthusiasm and motivation that he inspired.

On Thursday he appeared at Pasadena City College to offer a clinic their band accompanying a tuba soloist. He immediately got the group's attention with a fiery technical selection that firmly established his stature as a virtuoso. He then listened to the band and soloist admonishing band to play softer, softer!, SOFTER. He instructed soloist on his phrasing and "leading" the band by telegraphing tempo and dynamic changes a little ahead. Showing great teaching sensitivity: he preceded every suggestion with a compliment: e.g "That sounded great; now to give it even more impact let's try this..."

After a couple of semi-private lessons he presented a recital to an audience of assigned students preparing reports on the soloists appearing at the college. This audience is usually supremely apathetic. He awakened them to the extent that at the end they were standing, shouting "bravos" and applauding endlessly. He spoke with them, not to them, as across the table. Very unassuming, humble, and spectacular. In a baroque program he displayed technical wizardry, beautiful musicality, and great audience connection.

After the recital we took him to a locally famous sandwich shop for the "biggest and best sandwich I've ever had".

Friday, he made an appearance at Southwestern Tuba-euph Conference and rehearsed that evening with the GSBBB. This was the first time many of the members of our band had heard him. He really gave us a lesson in dynamics when accompanying a soloist and politely demanded it HIS way. We also rehearsed with Pat Sheridan, tuba soloist and a late addition to the program. By the end we were beginning to do a credible job for artists of his caliber.

Saturday evening was the Tuba-Euph conference concert featuring Dave & Pat. Both displayed unbelievable levels of musicianship to this sophisticated audience. Again endless applause, and "bravo's" f for a program that included some very difficult music for the band as well as the soloists. Pat's virtuoso piece was the Ellerby Tuba Concerto. David performed , "Brillante", and "Tros y Gerag". Both added enjoyable encores.

Sunday night was the concert with GSBBB and David. The band rose to the occasion and the total performance exceeded everyone's expectations and hopes. David played the planned program: Harlequin, Carrickfergus, Brillante, Tro y Gareg; and encores and then went on acapella. As a finale he did the Arban "Carnival of Venice" without accompaniment transitioning from variation to variation ad lib. While playing he strolled up and down the main aisle of the church stopping here and there to "serenade" individual audience members. What showmanship! They ate it up!!

After the concert he met the audience at a "Meet the Artist" reception, raffled off some of his CD's, and pretended to be just an ordinary human being.

All in all it was a great experience for GSBBB and for our audience. Hopefully David will be motivated to return to SoCal again soon. The established Southern California music community was certainly impressed and would welcome him.

We must add our thanks for the generous support of the York Instrument Co., Marriott Hotels, Pasadena City College and donors of the GSBBB who made this experience possible.

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