Malte Burba
On the weekend of the 5th-6th of september 2009 the Brass Band Düren hosted a workshop with Prof. Malte Burba, who was the professor of the conductor Martin Schädlich. This workshop specially targeted all players of brass instruments, who would like to expand their knowledge about the physical procedures during their playing. Additionally one got assistance on how to exercise various functions of the body to improve ones security, endurance and hight. Because of the great success of the workshop it will be repeated in 2010 (more).
David Childs
- A group with David Childs
Previously to the 11th annual concert of the Brass Band Düren and in collaboration with Fa. York the conductor Martin Schädlich managed to get the world-renowned euphonium soloist David Childs from Wales for a workshop in Düren. To the delight of many euphonium, bariton and tenorhorn players David Childs not only accompanied the last rehearsal of the band, but also hosted a workshop for all interested people on the morning of the 25th of October 2009.
For both beginners and experienced
- A mixed group
The interest was big. With about 20 people the room in the "Haus der Stadt" was nearly bursting at the seams. It was a mixed group of participants. There were beginners aswell as experienced players with up to 30 years of musical experience, and some even came from belgium and the netherlands. At the same time the participants weren't only "die-hard" Brass Band fans, the majority of the players are active in local wind orchestras and brass choirs. Despite David Childs playing the euphonium the workshop was directed towards brass players in general so that there were also trombone and tuba players present.
- David Childs warming up
After some time to warm up, which everyone was to do individually, David Childs asked the participants about their expectations towards the workshop to frame the following course. It was no surprise that the questions centered around the typical "brass player's problems" like playing high and quick notes and how to keep your embouchure without hard practising, e.g. during the holidays.
"Music starts where perfection ends"
- Impressive presentation
- Instruments from York - developed with David Childs
- Group exercise
Before the actual workshop started David Childs introduced himself and delivered the group insight into the british brass band history due to its important impact on his personal musical development. The participants were amazed by the information that 100 years ago there existed about 28.000 Brass Bands in Britain. David himself had learned the euphonium from his father and through all his musical career the brass band has always been the ideal place for practise for him. Playing in a brass band has been a good training specially for the development of the beautiful and voluminous sound which he needs for his solos. David Childs plays in the Cory Brass Band from the south of Wales. This band celebrated its 125th anniversary this year and won fitting to the jubilee the european brass band championship in Oostende, Belgium, aswell as the concert division of the world music contest in Kerkrade. It was interesting to know that despite the very high standart of the british brass bands most players are "amateurs" and earn their living with "non-musical" jobs, e.g. the principle cornet player from Cory works as a firerighter. That way a very important aspect of making music is preserved: everyone does it for the joy and passion for the music. Maybe that's one of the reasons brass bands casts a spell over the audiences. Of the same tenor David was told from his father "music starts where perfection ends".
Everyone is individual
- that way one can get high notes
After an impressive solo from "grandfather's clock" David started to satisfy the inquiries of the participants. He started by explaining the meaning of warming up and why brass players should take this -often unpopular- matter seriously by comparing it to the necessary warming up of athlets. He gave various suggestions on how to warm up but also pointed out (as he did for the following matters too) that most important is for everyone to find the best solution for him-/herself as every person is different and the exercises depend on the personal form of the day.
"practise what you are bad in and perform what you are good in"
- David Childs explains what could be improved
For every topic a participant was asked to come to the front. That way everyone could experience how the play improved in short time by following the theory they just learned. Specially in regard of high note playing there were many surprises on what is possible. But the players still had to take note that only practise makes perfect as they heard following motto from David Childs:„practise what you are bad in and perform what you are good in“.
"Imagine you're playing a solo with the Cory band in the Royal Albert Hall"
- Demonstrating a solo performance
- Even practise can be fun
In the end David told some helpful hints and tricks for soloists to perfection their performance and the choice of a suited solo. For this all participants were asked to imagine they were invited to play a solo in the famous Royal Albert Hall as a german euphonium player- accompanied by the legendary Cory band. The thought of playing in front of a full Royal Albert Hall has certainly made the one or other participant quiet nervous, but thanks to David Childs' suggestions the players will now be able to approach performances calmer.
For more pictures on the workshop ...more
For informations on David Childs ...more
For informations on York ...more
For informations on the Cory Band ...more
We'll soon announce the title of the school David Childs was teaching of.
On the 8th and 9th of may 2010 the Brass Band Düren will host another workshop. This time our guest will be the world famous cornett player Roger Webster. More informations will be sent through the newsletter and will be published late on this homepage.
