On Thursday night this week the band welcomed virtuoso Euphonium Soloist and Clinician Steven Mead to the bandroom to work with musical director Andrew Kershaw on preparing the band for the 2026 Area Contest this coming March.
The band have been tasked with the challenge of performing Martin Ellerby’s Elgar Variations in the Championship Section of the contest, with the opportunity to qualify for the National Finals held in the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Steven started with a series of breathing exercises then working on to some warm ups, long tones, scales and tonguing exercises to “wake everything up”.
Andrew Kershaw then took over working through the piece in small sections allowing Steven to contribute on how things were sounding overall, but more importantly, explaining how to practice to solve the technical and musical challenges the work presents. Lots to take on board.
It was great to meet Steven in person, the band having met him virtually during the lock-down period a few years back when we held an online master class.