davewerden

I recently had the privilege of reviewing a new CD of euphonium music. The artist is John Storey, who is principal and solo euphonium with the Coldstream Guards Band in the U.K.

For U.S. readers who are not familiar with this band, it is roughly the equivalent of a U.S. Military Band. There are several wind bands in the Queen's regiments, including:

• The Grenadier Guards
• The Coldstream Guards
• The Scots Guards
• The Irish Guards
• The Welsh Guards

In the U.S. our service ...

I've always thought that "I Got Plenty o Nothin'" from "Porgy & Bess" makes a perfect euphonium solo, so now I have done a new YouTube video with that song. See if you agree with me.

Like many euphonium players, I grew especially fond of this song from playing the band arrangement of Porgy & Bess, in which this song is introduced by a euphonium solo. But now I've decided to carry it to the next step by doing a complete arrangement of the song. (Of course that means I also get to play ...

Here is a brand-new video I made: my arrangement of Neapolitan Dance (from Swan Lake), by P.I. Tchaikovsky. Sheet music is available here:

http://www.cimarronmusic.com/search....tle=neapolitan

This recording features a 1935 Holton five-valve double-bell euphonium. The horn is a 4-valve instrument with a 5th valve that switches between the large and small bell. I used the four fingers on my right hand for the primary valves and reached around with the index finger of ...

I have always thought that "Old Man River" (from the Broadway show and movie "Show Boat") makes a fine euphonium solo. When we played a special arrangement with the Coast Guard Band, the arranger wisely thought to let the euphonium state the first instance of the main theme. And of course in the show it is sung by a rich, low male voice.

While I was with the CG Band it was my good fortune to be part of the accompaniment for a guest vocalist, William Warfield. He had sung the song in ...

Here is a new video of me playing euphonium for a recent church service, with Sara Brunk, piano. This piece was the offertory: "You Raise Me Up" - words and music by Brendan Graham and Rolf Lovland.

I have to confess that I came across this song accidentally. I heard the Irish Tenors (probably during PBS fund-raising) in concert, and Ronan Tynan sing a piece called "Grace." I was struck by the melody and wanted the music. The only way I could purchase it was within a book of Ronan Tynan ...

Here is a YouTube playlist with a few numbers from a special live concert the Coast Guard Band did in 1985. Our guest for the evening was Tony-Award-winning singer/actress Tammy Grimes. The selections include 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, White Christmas, Russian Christmas Music, and a special arrangement of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, written by the Band's former arranger and narrated with the Biblical story of Christmas.

Coast Guard Band Christmas Concert Selections

For many years I have been advising euphonium players to connect with a local church and volunteer to perform euphonium solos now and then (plus play in a brass ensemble if they have one). This is a great way to gain experience and it's a nice contribution to the church. Euphonium is a great fit for a worship service!

Some of you who are not associated with a church may find it uncomfortable to approach them. Don't worry - in most cases they will be glad to hear from you! "But," I hear ...

This is the 3rd (final) movement of the Halsey Stevens Sonatina, originally written for Donald Waldrop.

The video here is from my euphonium recital at University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, on Feb. 10, 2013. I heard Don perform this is L.A. in 1978. I had heard this on tuba previously, but I was struck by how nice it sounded on a smaller instrument (Waldrop used a 6-valve French tuba, pitched one step higher than the euphonium). Performing with me is Dr. Barbara Young.

Sheet ...