River City Brass video

[RickF]

I stumbled on this recently uploaded video of River City Brass Band. Pretty interesting where Algirdas Matonis includes the notes they're playing (Matonis and Michael Dingfelder) as they're playing. Even though it's a brass band, both TC and BC reading necessary.

French Horns and Euphoniums = Most dominant band section:

... corected name of 2nd euphonium player to Michael Dingfelder.

[dsurkin]

I stumbled on this recently uploaded video of River City Brass Band. Pretty interesting where Algirdas Matonis includes the notes they're playing (Matonis and Ross Cohen) as they're playing. Even though it's a brass band, both TC and BC reading necessary.

French Horns and Euphoniums = Most dominant band section:

...

Thanks for posting this. Those are some tough arrangements.

[davewerden]

Finally had a chance to listen to it today. Thanks for posting!

The Star Wars arrangement was very tough. I think it's up a step from the one we played in the CG Band, but that doesn't make it any easier or harder - just makes a different set of notes that fly by at blinding speed.

I think it's unusual for a brass band to pass out bass clef music, but the River City band is a little different. They use standard French horns for one thing. I have the impression that British brass bands would not be happy to see bass clef within the euphonium section!

[RickF]

After posting this I wondered if the clef was really changing or... maybe Mr. Matonis just added the BC version so those viewers/euphers who only read BC could read along better. Tough arr. for sure.

I actually prefer the French horn sound over the tenor horn sound myself. I'm sure the BB purists don't though.

[DaveBj]

After posting this I wondered if the clef was really changing or... maybe Mr. Matonis just added the BC version so those viewers/euphers who only read BC could read along better. Tough arr. for sure.

I actually prefer the French horn sound over the tenor horn sound myself. I'm sure the BB purists don't though.

I asked, but I'm pretty sure it's excerpts from different pieces.

Edit: Confirmed. Algirdas says the difference is in where the arrangements were made. In European arrangements the euph parts are 90% TC, while in American arrangements they are 90% BC.

[Sara Hood]

"French horns? Where?!" I enjoyed hearing this recording, but it seems mis-titled. I am left with the question - where? I saw a single french horn on the far left of the frame for The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly. But he was mostly covered up by Matonis's music stand.

What I did see, sitting next to Matonis and Cohen, going further back from the camera were two ladies playing what, unless I miss my guess, were four-valved baritones. Or maybe one of them was a tenor horn, since it seemed to be smaller than the euphonium, but still very similar to its other sister-horn. I would love to know who those two musicians were as well and to have seen their parts up on the screen. Sometimes they played tutti and sometimes they had their own part.

Not a lot of folks outside the brass band world know the baritone either. And it seems that even fewer of them are women. Thank you for sharing that clip of virtuosto playing.

- Sara

[RickF]

The video was made to mainly feature the two euphs (Algirdas Matonis and Ross Cohen) playing the shown notes. The River City Brass Band is known for using French horns instead of tenor horns. Not sure who decided that but as far as I know, they've always used French horns. Several years when the RSB came to town, I asked then principal eupher, Lance LaDuke, why they used French horns. He said he was pretty sure the founder of the group preferred them.

Here's a promotional video of the RSB and their volunteer work with students. Notice the horn intro of "American Overture for Band". You can't get the same sound with tenor horns.

River City Brass (Lance LaDuke then principal)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYDTEIgmwI4

[Daniel-J]

I have not heard this before, amazing video. Thanks so much for sharing it.

[anadmai]

I stumbled on this recently uploaded video of River City Brass Band. Pretty interesting where Algirdas Matonis includes the notes they're playing (Matonis and Ross Cohen) as they're playing. Even though it's a brass band, both TC and BC reading necessary.

French Horns and Euphoniums = Most dominant band section:

...

I wouldn't call them a brass band..

[anadmai]

French Horns and Euphoniums = Most dominant band section:
...

I feel dirty reading this.

[tjjc]

I stumbled on this recently uploaded video of River City Brass Band. Pretty interesting where Algirdas Matonis includes the notes they're playing (Matonis and Ross Cohen) as they're playing. Even though it's a brass band, both TC and BC reading necessary.

French Horns and Euphoniums = Most dominant band section:

...

I believe the second euphonium player is Michael Dingfelder. I haven't met him, but according to his RCBB bio he's active in Beaver County, PA where I grew up. I've heard and thoroughly enjoyed the RCBB live on many occasions, and Algirdas produces a lot of great videos and other content.

Tom

[RickF]

Thanks for that correction! So sorry to get the name wrong. It is in fact Michael Dingfelder and I corrected the original post.