First recording of Shires Custom Series

[Hiramdiaz1]

Hello fellow Euphers,

I am posting this in multiple threads as it may spark different conversations.

Below is the information about the new concerto but I also wanted to post in this thread because its the first concert recording I've done with the Shires Custom Series euphonium. The hall was a particular challenge, because it is a massive Chapel with 70+ ft.-high ceilings and we were also performing distanced from one another. But I think the recording captured the Custom Series sound really well.

This is the "Custom" Model. I like to be largely ignorant about materials, bell sizes, etc. What I can tell you is I was using a 51D medium shank, and one of the new threaded receivers. It is my opinion that the custom series is amazing, and the possibilities of resonance, color, overtones, are just endless. I had no trouble soaring over a band of 80! In contrast to my Q series horn, I believe the sound to be deeper and richer. Let me know what you think!

-------------------

Tom Davoren has composed a brand new concerto for euphonium and wind band. You may recognize his work from the popular "Ascension" for solo trumpet and euphonium. The work was commissioned by the Michigan City Municipal Band, directed by Dr. Jeff Doebler. It was premiered at the Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University, Indiana on November 6th, 2021.

Highlights and Features:

-Challening Euphonium Solo, about as tough as Sparke's 1st Concerto.

-Accesible, tuneful material.

-Grade 3 band parts. This is a particularly amazing feat, as the work can be played with a very broad level of band, from a talented middle school to a professional ensemble. The parts are engaging and enjoyable.

-The parts and score will be available at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic for pre-order.

-Piano reduction and Brass Band arrangement forthcoming.

Solo begins at 12:35, and also the Serenade from the Student Prince is the encore.

Hiram

[John Morgan]

Horn sounds fantastic, Hiram. I could hear it well over the band. Were you close to the mic? I have heard you on the other Shires, the Q41 I believe. In this setting it is hard to distinguish between the two horns with the band playing, acoustics in the room, etc. But the sound I heard was indeed lovely. A large part of that gorgeous sound being the player I am sure.

[LittleJimmy]

Hi all

Am I missing something? Where do I go to hear the music? There's no link in Hiram's posts.

LittleJimmy

[RickF]

Hiram included the video within his post. But if you don't see it, you can try this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-26s_RSRDCg&t=1s

[guidocorona]

Post deleted by author.

[MichaelSchott]

Significant new euphonium solo! Tuneful and approachable but obviously challenging. Can’t wait to see the sheet music. The Shires Custom sounds great. I listened on my iPhone through my car speakers so not the best fidelity but the horn has a great focused sound and also lets the player change timbres as needed.

[guidocorona]

All, yesterday I reached out to Alexis Smith at Shires (info@seshires.com). This morning Alexis shared with me that "[...] there will be two models of our Custom Euphonium—one
of which will be more lyrical and warm, and the other will have a bit more projection forward and brilliance. I can also tell you that both sound unbelievable.
We should officially be releasing more information soon [...]We’ll put out a big release on our social media soon!"

The above tantalizing tidbit might imply that there is a 41-type in the offing -- perhaps what Hiram Diaz featured in the recording(?), as well as a 40-type model.

Hope we will learn more soon.

Saluti, Guido

[daruby]

Hiram,

You sound unbelievable! Wonderful.

Doug

[JakeGuilbo]

Here are the specs and retail pricing Shires shared with me regarding the two custom Euphs. My local Eastman/Shires dealer is ordering two horns for demo purposes but does not expect any order, new or otherwise, to ship until April or May of 2022. It does indeed appear that the 12" model is not based on the single piece Q40 bell but the two piece Q41 bell. It seems that has been the feedback offered on the 12" model, make it more like the Q41 but just with a bigger bell. And while it shows interchangeable receivers similar to the older Hirsbrunner, I think the receiver is also an AGR that can be adjusted. I know a current Q40 owner who is having shires send an AGR for his current horn to make the Q40 more playable with Denis Wick mouthpieces. Overall it seems that if they can hit the sweet spot they can have two very nice horns that fulfill both the military and brass band markets.

And yes, Hiram, this video should be the central part of their marketing - such an original sound, you truly are an amazing representative and master artist!

[davewerden]

Thanks for getting those details! It's going to fun to see how it develops. I'll be at a regional ITEC in May; maybe Shires can have something to display there, assuming they want to come all the way to Iowa!

[spkissane]

I was hesitant to post any technical info that I've gotten from Shires in case they were waiting on the official press release, but since Jake was able to get the "standard" model sheet, it doesn't seem like they're keeping anything a secret, so I'll go ahead and post the current available options I was given:

Bell

• Taper: EI (E One) taper
• Alloy: Yellow brass, standard weight only
• Beadwire: Brass or Steel
  • Size: Beadwire T9 and T11

Leadpipe

• Alloy: Gold, Yellow, Nickel
• Construction: Drawn or seamed (only available for yellow or gold brass)

Receiver Bits

• Large and Medium shank in all sizes

Tuning Trigger

• available by request

I'm hopping on a call with the crew at Shires next week to chat about the development of the horns and will hopefully be able to bring back some decent insight.

It should be said, from a dealer standpoint, that Shires is a fantastic company to work with, and the staff are all great people.

*Edited for clarity of intent.

[JakeGuilbo]

I just e-mailed info@seshires.com and they sent it to me and didn't ask me to keep it secret or anything so I figured anyone can do it. They said they are waiting for official professional pictures to come back before launching it but they are currently taking pre-orders.

[spkissane]

I had a really nice conversation with James, Sam, Matt over at Shires yesterday and learned some illuminating things about the custom euphonium line. The official launch of the horns is currently just waiting on photography.

Of the two standard configurations, the "custom" model is based on the Q41, but they've "broadened" (and sweetened a bit, from what I hear in Hiram's video) the sound - as Hiram said, a deeper, richer overall horn that retains the response and clarity of the Q41.

The "solo" model is evidently not based on any specific horn, but from what I understand it's really their take on a bigger/wider overall sound profile than the custom. The annealing treatment on the bell supposedly warms the sound up a bit, while the seamed leadpipe provides a little "bouncier" articulations, as well as a "freer" slotting sensation between partials (easier to bend pitches, etc.).

Currently they aren't offering any custom finishes other than traditional lacquer and silver plate.

Umm, that's all I can remember for now without my notes in front of me. They will have at least one of the horns at Midwest in Chicago.

Edit: Just remembered one other detail - I asked about the guage of the bell... I don't remember the exact number they gave me because they use inches and my brain was thinking in mm, but James was a bit taken aback at how thin my .6mm Adams is, so it's definitely thicker than that. I know it's not exactly apples to apples though, since their bells aren't sheet brass, so it's not going to be the exact same measurement throughout the entire bell.

[guidocorona]

Fascinating info... Am I correct to infer that Hiram Diaz performed the Davoren Concerto on a Custom model, rather than on the Solo variant?

Regards, Guido

[miketeachesclass]

Interesting. I wonder what the target market is for the “solo” model.

I had a really nice conversation with James, Sam, Matt over at Shires yesterday and learned some illuminating things about the custom euphonium line. The official launch of the horns is currently just waiting on photography.

Of the two standard configurations, the "custom" model is based on the Q41, but they've "broadened" (and sweetened a bit, from what I hear in Hiram's video) the sound - as Hiram said, a deeper, richer overall horn that retains the response and clarity of the Q41.

The "solo" model is evidently not based on any specific horn, but from what I understand it's really their take on a bigger/wider overall sound profile than the custom. The annealing treatment on the bell supposedly warms the sound up a bit, while the seamed leadpipe provides a little "bouncier" articulations, as well as a "freer" slotting sensation between partials (easier to bend pitches, etc.).

Currently they aren't offering any custom finishes other than traditional lacquer and silver plate.

Umm, that's all I can remember for now without my notes in front of me. They will have at least one of the horns at Midwest in Chicago.

Edit: Just remembered one other detail - I asked about the guage of the bell... I don't remember the exact number they gave me because they use inches and my brain was thinking in mm, but James was a bit taken aback at how thin my .6mm Adams is, so it's definitely thicker than that. I know it's not exactly apples to apples though, since their bells aren't sheet brass, so it's not going to be the exact same measurement throughout the entire bell.