How hard for an American Euphist to move to Britain?

[PigLord]

Hello everyone,

My career aspiration is to move to Britain and play in one of the brass bands there. I am just wondering if there is any prejudice or difficulty in a American making it into one of their brass bands? (My "plan" also involves going to graduate school in Britain, so it is not like no one would know me there; I am just wondering if there is any other difficulty other than musical talent). Thank all of you for your time.

[davewerden]

I'm not up to date on the situation, but my understanding that there were some barriers a few decades ago. Maybe it's different today.

But it's hard to know if any barriers were based on prejudice or were real-world, valid concerns. The British bands have a different style in general than American bands. Tone production, vibrato, articulation, note shapes, dynamic treatment, etc. are all different.

Perhaps because the bands play in contests they tend to be extremely careful about markings in the music, just for one specific example. Many, many players in the USA, some quite advanced, do not take printed dynamics very seriously. The brass bands do. We may not be as careful about accents, short/long designations, what notes are actually covered in a slur, etc.

Listen to some of the better British brass bands and compare them to some of the better USA concert bands. At the same general level of ability, the style of playing is quite different. It's hard to quantify all the differences, but shape of musical line is certainly one. Also GROUP dynamics; the brass bands can really move as a unit between loud and soft, sometimes immediately. In fact, if I were only allowed to make one observation, it would be the way the brass bands seem to "move" as a unit through the music. It's not that our wind bands don't do that... but there is something different.

If I were the hiring manager for a brass band (audition panel, whatever), I would not be anxious to face a good deal of remedial work with a new person to get them up to speed on fitting in. Before hoping to land a British band potision, I'd want to do a lot of listening. Then I'd probably have to resign myself to working my way up, perhaps by starting out in a band that is palced at the lower levels in contests and absorbing that style from within.

This is just off the top of my head. Maybe someone outside the USA will have better perspective to offer.

[PigLord]

Thank you for your response. I have already started listening to many of the british brass bands and I hope to learn a bit about playing in them through graduate school there (if I can make it in). If I actually end up achieving my apirations of going to Britain, I will definatley take your advice and start lower and work up.

[daruby]

Best way to consider playing in Britain would be to do a graduate (Masters) performance degree at RNCM and play in some of the Yorkshire based brass bands. You could establish a reputation as a student and if good enough, play 2nd chair in a band, then see if you "gots what it takes!"

Doug

[PigLord]

Thanks for the response Mr. Ruby. I have looked a lot into the RNCM, as it seems to have some of the best euphonium players as its professors. It really does seem to be the best there. I have also heard a lot about the RAM. Does anyone know if it is also a comparable school? Also, how hard would it be to make a career as a second chair player? Would this be easier to make it into a higher level band? I am just asking because I would be completley fine being a second chair player. Thank all of you for your time.

[daruby]

The reason I suggest RNCM instead of RAM is that RNCM is in Manchester, UK which is the heart of the "Brass Band" region of England. The RWCM is in Cardiff, Wales which is also good brass band territory. RAM is in London which is not as focused on brass banding. As euphonium performers, of course, brass bands are the best opportunity. Often, the better students at these schools "second" in a high level band.

By the way, RWCM has David and Robert Childs as euphonium instructors. RNCM has Steve MEad and David Thornton. Can't do better than these folks!

Doug

[RickF]

Don't know if you heard this or not, but this past weedend Grant Jameson, HS student from Dublin, OH was just on the program, "From the Top" and performed, Simone Mantia's "Believe Me if All Those Endearing Young Charms". In the interview Grant took time to explain the differences between baritone and euphonium. He said he's going to start studying next year in the UK at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. As Doug said, Robert Childs, David Childs are on staff there - as is Christian Lindberg (trombone).

You can listen to his performance here:
From the Top:
click blue button "listen to the show" on the right side

I would bet that Grant has a webpage where you might be able to contact him and get some information... just a thought. Just Google it

[PigLord]

I thank both of you for that information. I had not yet heard about Robert and David Childs and also Christian Lindberg teaching at the RWCM, so that is definatley a place I will try to audition at once I get my bachelors. I also did not know the different locations had different brass band focuses, it will be something I will have to think about. I will have to see if I can contact Mr. Jameson (maybe if people keep explaining the difference between a baritone and euphonium it will be common knowledge .

[DaveBj]

Ah, to be young again, and have one's career ahead

[smarion]

Though things worked in different terms from way back, it would be nice to see how things have already changed. I am not familiar with the specifics but tat should be something good and of real nature if people have made away from the barriers.

If you have tried it out, probably, it would be beneficial to enlighten those who are really interested with it.