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Hello, everyone.

I'm currently doing some research into the history of tuba and euphonium pedagogy in the United States, and I had a question specifically concerning the history of euphonium instructors. Am I right in thinking that Leonard Falcone is, for all intents and purposes, the first full-time euphonium professor in this country? Granted, his official job description was Director of Bands, but it seems like he had an almost equal responsibility for euphonium students. Any dates would be helpful!

Aaron H

Robert Gray (sp) was a specialist euphonium player and I believe was professor of low brass at he University of Illinois in the early 60's. Not 100% sure on position title but the UofI music school should be able to provide more precise info.

Dr Brian Bowman would have been among the earlier full time professors, I think.

You have it right about Falcone.

Another, notable inclusion would be Rex Conner at U of Kentucky who, I believe, was the first full time TUBA professor in the US. Pretty sure he would have covered euphonium as well. Dating from early 60's at least.

All fine players and teachers whom I count as good friends.

Dr. Robert Gray was primarily the trombone professor at UI, as well as teaching tuba (occasionally) and conducting the Wind Ensemble. Great guy!!!

Ken Herrick wrote:
Another, notable inclusion would be Rex Conner at U of Kentucky who, I believe, was the first full time TUBA professor in the US. Pretty sure he would have covered euphonium as well. Dating from early 60's at least.

According to the University of Kentucky, he started there is 1960, and was the first full time instructor of tuba AND euphonium in the United States. There are a number of professors that all started in the 1960s, but I haven't turned up any pre-1960 person yet, so I'm inclined to go with this.

However, Falcone was (according to the bio on the competition website) earlier, starting in 1927 where his duties included teaching "baritone horn" but that wasn't his only duty.

Aaron, I guess it will come down to how you want to define "first full time." First full time college/university person that taught euphonium (plus other stuff- band directing, etc.)? First full time tuba & euphonium instructor? First full time "low brass" instructor? First full time euphonium ONLY instructor? Each question has a slightly different answer.

snorlax wrote:Earle Louder could well have been the first.
A name that doesn't get nearly enough mention these days.

I've always heard that Earle Louder was the first to get his doctorate in euphonium. That at FSU.

Also think that Leonard Falcone was the first full time euphonium teacher.

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I guess the original question does bear some clarification. To answer the question above, I'm looking for the first full-time tuba and euphonium instructor whose main instrument is euphonium. As far as first full-time euphonium (no tuba) professor is Brian Bowman, and it does seem like Falcone is the right answer for the above qualifications. Good to know about Earle Louder, and I already knew about the lineage of early tuba profs (Rex Conner, Bill Bell, and the like). Again, thanks for all of the info!

Aaron

snorlax wrote:Earle Louder could well have been the first.
A name that doesn't get nearly enough mention these days.

Amen; a wonderful musician and gentleman!

J.c.S.

Where does Dee Stewart fit into the continuum?

Dr. Falcone started at MSU in 1927. I'm no sure what his responsibilities were at that time but the book about him, Solid Brass may be more specific. Certainly he was teaching euphonium prior to 1960. Earle Louder was a student of his in the 1950's. He did teach both euphonium and tuba.

MSchott wrote:Dr. Falcone started at MSU in 1927. I'm no sure what his responsibilities were at that time but the book about him, Solid Brass may be more specific. Certainly he was teaching euphonium prior to 1960. Earle Louder was a student of his in the 1950's. He did teach both euphonium and tuba.

Falcone Festival Website wrote:Born in Roseto-Valfortore, Italy, in 1899, Dr. Falcone was a professional musician (playing in the prestigious Roseto-Valfortore Town Band) before immigrating to America in 1915 at the age of 15. In 1927, he was appointed Director of Bands at Michigan State University, where he concurrently was Chairman of the Winds and Brass Department and Professor of Baritone Horn.

http://www.falconefestival.org/index.ph ... icle?id=82

This gets back to what I was talking about a few posts back...the first what? Falcone's job was multi-duty, not exclusively euphonium or even tuba & euphonium, rather he was Director of Bands and also happened to also teach euphonium. If the question is who is the first full time [only] tuba and euphonium instructor whose primary instrument is euphonium, well...Falcone actually wouldn't be the answer to that question. If the other duties such as band directing (especially in Falcone's case) are irrelevant to the OP, then we'd go back to Falcone being the answer.

Tom wrote:

MSchott wrote:Dr. Falcone started at MSU in 1927. I'm no sure what his responsibilities were at that time but the book about him, Solid Brass may be more specific. Certainly he was teaching euphonium prior to 1960. Earle Louder was a student of his in the 1950's. He did teach both euphonium and tuba.

Falcone Festival Website wrote:Born in Roseto-Valfortore, Italy, in 1899, Dr. Falcone was a professional musician (playing in the prestigious Roseto-Valfortore Town Band) before immigrating to America in 1915 at the age of 15. In 1927, he was appointed Director of Bands at Michigan State University, where he concurrently was Chairman of the Winds and Brass Department and Professor of Baritone Horn.

http://www.falconefestival.org/index.ph ... icle?id=82

This gets back to what I was talking about a few posts back...the first what? Falcone's job was multi-duty, not exclusively euphonium or even tuba & euphonium, rather he was Director of Bands and also happened to also teach euphonium. If the question is who is the first full time [only] tuba and euphonium instructor whose primary instrument is euphonium, well...Falcone actually wouldn't be the answer to that question. If the other duties such as band directing (especially in Falcone's case) are irrelevant to the OP, then we'd go back to Falcone being the answer.

I'm not sure why it really matters how specifically a job title is structured other than for documentation as the OP requested. Paul Droste ran the marching band at tOSU for a long time and after he retired as Director of Bands, Dr. Falcone was professor of tuba and euphonium at MSU until he retired. Falcone still taught tuba and euph while he was Director of Bands.