I mentioned in another post that it has been 54 years since I played the baritone horn (a bell-forward three valve American instrument, Conn as I recall.) I signed up for private euphonium lessons at a local university and start this week. Because I am an emeritus professor from another department I don't have to pay tuition. I only pay fees, so the lessons are relatively affordable. I am both excited and apprehensive to start the lessons.
In an initial meeting the professor had me play and said that if I started into a BA music program at a later date (as a non-performance major) I could enter at a beginner level. I haven't decided if I want to go as far as getting a second bachelors degree or just keep it as more of a side hobby, but I am thinking about it. Maybe I will have a better idea after a semester of lessons.
The professor was encouraging to the extent that if I applied myself I might be able to eventually get to a point of becoming part of a small performing group that could pick up an occasional paying gig. That would be a stretch, since my main goal is to become a better player in a community band. Still, if it went further than that...
By the way, the professor's main instrument is trombone, but he does play and teach euphonium as well. His euphonium is virtually identical to mine, something he noted as soon as I uncased my instrument. He bought his euphonium from Wessex, which I think is a good recommendation for one of the sponsors of this website.
In an initial meeting the professor had me play and said that if I started into a BA music program at a later date (as a non-performance major) I could enter at a beginner level. I haven't decided if I want to go as far as getting a second bachelors degree or just keep it as more of a side hobby, but I am thinking about it. Maybe I will have a better idea after a semester of lessons.
The professor was encouraging to the extent that if I applied myself I might be able to eventually get to a point of becoming part of a small performing group that could pick up an occasional paying gig. That would be a stretch, since my main goal is to become a better player in a community band. Still, if it went further than that...
By the way, the professor's main instrument is trombone, but he does play and teach euphonium as well. His euphonium is virtually identical to mine, something he noted as soon as I uncased my instrument. He bought his euphonium from Wessex, which I think is a good recommendation for one of the sponsors of this website.
Comment