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March 6, 2010 - Carnegie Hall
Soloist - Euphonium
King Edward III once said: "If you want to train a longbowman, start with his grandfather." This adage holds just as true for euphonium soloist David Childs, who was born in 1981 to a 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 who inspired his sons, Robert & Nicholas, to play euphonium. Robert began teaching David from an early age and today David is widely regarded as one of the finest brass soloists of his generation.
At the turn of the Millennium he broke new ground for the euphonium becoming the first euphonium soloist to win the brass final of the televised 'BBC Young Musician of the Year', and in the same year was awarded the coveted ‘International Euphonium Player of the Year' title, a title he won for a second time in 2004 and still holds today. Since then David has been instrumental in raising the profile of the euphonium in the classical world of music and has not ceased to wow audiences with his astonishing technique, extrovert musicality and engaging stage presence.
He has toured extensively, performing as a soloist throughout Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Japan, Hong Kong, and the United States. He is a keen advocate of new music and has premièred six concerti for euphonium, including a Royal Albert Hall radiobroadcast of Alun Hoddinott's, 'The Sunne Rising - The King Will Ride'. Back home in Wales David is Professor of Euphonium at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and performs regularly as a principal soloist with the world famous Cory brass band.
Still in the early stages of his career, David has already performed as a soloist with many of the UK's finest orchestras including the BBC Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Sinfonia Cymru, and the BBC Concert Orchestra. He has given solo performances at several high profile music festivals including the BBC Proms, Melbourne International Festival, and Cheltenham International Festival. He became the first euphonium soloist to give recitals at the Wigmore Hall London, Purcell Room South Bank, and Bridgewater Hall Manchester. Earlier this year David made his third solo appearance at the Last Night of the Welsh Proms, where he gave the world premiere of Karl Jenkins' superb Concerto for Euphonium & Orchestra to great acclaim.
Earlier this year David performed for the first time in Los Angeles and Hawaii. He is now delighted to be making his Carnegie Hall debut in collaboration with Distinguished Concerts International New York. Without question David is leading the way for a new generation of euphonium players worldwide, and in doing so proving the euphonium as a true solo voice.
"a great ambassador for the euphonium, possessing an astonishing technique and an engaging stage presence." The Observer
"a charismatic advocate of the euphonium, a demonstration of versatility and extrovert musicality." The Guardian
"a serious musician dedicated to raising his instrument's profile. Childs demonstrated a superbly focused, glowing tone." The Times
"he makes the euphonium sound as flexible and as agile as a trumpet and as smooth as the trombone played by Tommy Dorsey." The Independent
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