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A Euphonium Soloist in New York:  David Childs fulfills his childhood dream to play at Carnegie Hall, New York on March 6th (BK)

“As a boy and very young musician I was given a t-shirt from my father after a trip to New York. It read “How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice!”

On March 6 I will reach my goal and perform there, not only will I fulfill that ambition but it will be in dream circumstances, performing the US Premiere of Karl Jenkins’ Euphonium Concerto conducted by the composer himself and which was written for me.”

David Childs, Euphonium

 

David Childs was born in 1981 in Grimethorpe in to a musical family whose name had been synonymous with the euphonium for the last two generations. His grandfather, John was born in the Welsh valleys and was a well-respected euphonium player and conductor who inspired his sons, Robert & Nicholas to also play the instrument. Robert began teaching his own son David from an early age and in recent years David Childs has emerged as one of the finest brass soloists of his generation.

His performance at Carnegie Hall in New York on March 6 is the result of a lot of hard work to create a wider profile and audience for the instrument he loves and grew up playing. David has already achieved a great deal as a young euphonium soloist and received many awards in recognition and played with some of the UK’s finest orchestras as well as performances around the world.

In the year 2000 he broke new ground for the euphonium becoming the first euphonium soloist ever to win the brass final of the televised 'BBC Young Musician of the Year’ competition, and in the same year was awarded the coveted ‘Euphonium Player of the Year’ title, a title he won again in 2004. Since that time David has been instrumental in raising the profile of the euphonium in the classical world of music and has not ceased to impress audiences with his technique, extrovert musicality and engaging stage presence.

David now lives in South Wales and explains his musical journey to reach this point in his career.

“Several year's ago I received some great advice from Christian Lindberg, the world's leading trombone soloist, a friend and a musician I admire greatly. He told me if I wanted to carve a career as a soloist I needed to find new clothes for the euphonium to wear! By this he meant commission and champion new music, just as he did in making the trombone a recognised solo instrument. I've now premiered over 30 new works and continue to encourage new repertoire for euphonium.

But Karl Jenkins’ Concerto is particularly special to me. I've enjoyed listening to his music for many years. He is in my opinion our most successful living composer, his music is popular in style and can be heard throughout the world by a huge and diverse audience. There was no question in my mind a work from him would not only be a thrill for me, but would also take the euphonium to a new audience. We met and he listened to me play and thankfully agreed to compose an extended work for euphonium and orchestra. There it began!

 

Karl is a composer in great demand, so the commission took time to schedule. However once everything was in place it was a privilege to be involved in the compositional process. Meeting with Karl, playing excerpts for him, and getting to know not only a phenomenal musician, but a great man was a huge honour.”

Composer Karl Jenkins explains his eagerness to collaborate with David:

"It's been a privilege to compose the euphonium concerto for David Childs. We had been talking about this for some time and happily it all came together in 2009. David is a virtuoso player of the highest quality and it was a joy, and, indeed, a challenge, to write a work for both him and an instrument of such beauty and agility."

The Euphonium Concerto received its premiere at the Welsh Proms at St David’s Hall last summer with an excellent reception from the audience.

The concert at Carnegie Hall on March 6 is called the Masters of Wales and David will perform Karl Jenkins’ Euphonium Concerto, conducted by the composer himself. The appearance is a huge achievement for the young man still in his twenties and will fulfill his ambition. The concert will be presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York and also includes Karl Jenkins Selection from Sacred Songs and Arwel Hughes Dewi Sant.

The Euphonium Concerto will be performed once again by David in New York in a second performance, this time with wind band and forms part of the New York Wind Band Festival which takes place on March 23rd. The concerto has already further performances scheduled for 2010 in Toronto, Arizona, Atlanta as well as the dates in New York.

David Childs is leading the way for a new generation of euphonium players worldwide; he is proving the euphonium as a serious solo vehicle within the world of classical music whilst remaining dedicated to British style brass band movement. With several new commissions on the horizon, David is sure to continue raising the euphonium’s profile through his own unique performances.

Bruce Hodges will review this performance for Seen and Heard International.

Bill Kenny

David Childs'  web site is here:  wwwdavechilds.com