Page 19 - Bandworld Magazine 2015

Euphonium Selection & Solos
by Gail Robertson
Things to consider when selecting Euphoniums for your school:
Sizes: Euphoniums are generally one size. (Bore sizes will vary from Beginner to Advanced Euphoniums) Please don’t confuse a euphonium with an American Baritone or a British Baritone Horn. Please be advised that instruments that are called 3⁄4 Baritones will not sound like a full-size euphonium! Feeling confused about what to call it? It’s okay. Music publishers share the same confusion. Most of the standard band music is marked “baritone,” and yet (in the United States.), it is ALL intended to be played on the Eu- phonium! Even some beginning band method books are labeled WRONG and this makes it difficult to tell the truth “you play the euphonium,” but not confuse kids and parents when you must tell them to purchase the “baritone” book.
Shank sizes: There are three different shank sizes. SMALL (the same as a small-bore tenor trombone/most common for schools), MEDIUM/EUROPEAN (not as common on student instruments and more common on Willson and Besson euphoniums), and LARGE (the same as the large-bore Tenor or Bass Trombone).
Valves: Euphoniums have either piston or rotary valves. The stan- dard for euphoniums in the United States is PISTON valves.
How Many Valves: Modern euphoniums have either 3 or 4 valves. Adding a 4th valve extends the range and helps correct intona- tion on (1st & 3rd) and (1st 2nd 3rd) valve combinations. (This is where trumpets extend the 1st and 3rd slides). (1st & 3rd = 4th) and 1st 2nd 3rd = 2nd & 4th) It is strongly recommended that you have 4 valves and NOT 3-valved euphoniums.
YOUR BAND’S INTONATION WILL SUFFER WITH ONLY THREE VALVES!!!
Top-action vs. Front-action Valved Euphoniums: The standard for euphoniums in the United States is TOP-ACTION valves. Front action valves can be either piston or rotary valves. Profes- sional Euphoniums have 4 valves and are almost always 3 top- action valves and 1 side-valve.
Double-Belled Euphonium: The rare and less common Double- belled euphonium can have 4 or even 5 valves and two bells!
Compensating vs. Non-Compensating: Professional euphoniums are almost always compensating euphoniums. Compensating eu- phoniums offer even better intonation for (1st & 3rd) and (1st 2nd 3rd) valve combinations. They also allow for a full chromatic range to BBB with no alternate fingerings. *Just because the 4th valve is on the side of the instrument does not make it compensating. (Look for the extra slides that are attached to the valve casings).
Bell Direction: Euphoniums come with Upright and Bell-front bells. (Bell-front instruments are sometimes called recording bells). The standard for euphoniums in the United States is UP- RIGHT BELL. *Please note that some University Marching Bands still use bell-front euphoniums.
Finish: Euphoniums come in lacquer and silver plating. Silver plating will last longer and it is recommended if your budget will allow.
Main tuning-slide mechanism or not? This popular recent addition to the euphonium gives players the ability to tune any note by press- ing a lever with the left thumb. The only downside is that it adds extra weight to the instrument and works best with bigger hands.
11 inch or 12 inch bell? In general a larger bell will give you a bigger sound, but it will be less focused. A smaller bell can give you more focus/clarity, but won’t be able to give you as large of a sound. (11 inch is common)
Suggested solos for students to use at Solo and Ensemble Festivals: Solos that are Best for 6th Graders: (1st year players)
I had an incredible time at ABC. Thank you for making me feel so welcome, so fast!
Gail Robertson ABC 2015
Air Noble Conqueror Happy Song Pied Piper The Rooster
Jacques Robert
Leonard B. Smith/Leonard Falcone Edmund J. Siennicki
Forrest L. Buchtel
Edmund J. Siennicki
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