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Euphonium profession
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 5:20 am
by TYA
I mean no disrespect to any of the Euphonium players out there but may I as what kind of jobs are their out there if you major in euphonium in college. I know they can become great teachers and soloists but is their anything else a professional euphonium player can do? Once again I do not mean to disrespect anyone I was just wondering. Thank you.
Re: Euphonium profession
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:39 am
by Dean
As a performer, the only positions in the USA with a regular, livable salary are in the military bands. All the branches are quite different (much discussed here before), but generally, they are all good jobs!
Dean
Re: Euphonium profession
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 9:49 am
by Rick F
As Dean said, (about) the only performance opportunity for professional euphonium player is in the military bands. It's a good job if you can get one of those, but it's really tough competition. There are a few exceptions... River City Brass Band, Dallas Winds, and a few others.
Reminds me of the joke, "What do you call a professional euphonium player who does NOT teach and does NOT play in a military band?" ... unemployed.
Re: Euphonium profession
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:56 am
by bort
I wouldn't limit it to just euphonium. Even among majors in college, VERY end up making their living playing. More likely teaching "band" in public schools, or something completely different. Just found out a friend of mine from school is now an air traffic controller.

Re: Euphonium profession
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 12:25 pm
by Teubonium
Re: Euphonium profession
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 1:52 am
by Brassworks 4
If the desire to work hard exists, create a touring ensemble. Its not easy, but its great fun!
Re: Euphonium profession
Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 8:05 pm
by BopEuph
I went to college for euphonium.
What am I doing now? Freelance bassist and copyist. I teach for lunch money. My $1,500 plywood bass and $800 Geddy Lee have earned me more money than my $5000 Willson could even hope to. I actually learned that just before finishing college, where I changed my major to jazz studies on bass with a low brass performance certificate.
I'm actually looking to get a BBb tuba now. Turns out bandleaders love bassists that have that double.
I tell ALL young euphonium players now that are looking to major in euphonium performance to either get damn good on their horn (like freakishly good), or get damn good on a double.
Nick
Re: Euphonium profession
Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 11:05 pm
by Carroll
BopEuph wrote:I tell ALL young euphonium players now that are looking to major in euphonium performance to either get damn good on their horn (like freakishly good), or get damn good on a double.
Nick
I would expand that to players on ANY axe.
Re: Euphonium profession
Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 12:58 am
by BopEuph
Carroll wrote:BopEuph wrote:I tell ALL young euphonium players now that are looking to major in euphonium performance to either get damn good on their horn (like freakishly good), or get damn good on a double.
Nick
I would expand that to players on ANY axe.
Agreed. I worried about being a doubler, that it would hurt my marketability as a musician, the whole "jack of all trades, but master of none" thing. But, since I do all of my instruments well, and I am aware of my limitations at any given moment (sometimes chops get rusty on one instrument if I've been working a good deal on the others) has kept me in the game.
But the same goes in life, too: learn as much as you can.
Nick
Re: Euphonium profession
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 12:32 pm
by ztuba
Arnold Jacobs played gigs on string bass
Re: Euphonium profession
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 1:23 pm
by BopEuph
I didn't know that! I'd like to find out more!
Nick
Re: Euphonium profession
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 4:20 pm
by Alex C
ztuba wrote:Arnold Jacobs played gigs on string bass
... and sang bass
and was an announcer on the radio (before TV)
Re: Euphonium profession
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 4:29 pm
by Rick Denney
BopEuph wrote:I didn't know that! I'd like to find out more!
Nick
http://windsongpress.x-shops.com/store/ ... 50&page=1"
Rick "just for starters" Denney