the use

require
trombo
risky be
fects ths
valved i
The Euphonium in Chamber Music ineffecti-

known t
the Can
nium a 1
in the E
sionally.
BY DAN S. VINSON One in
from Cer
horn pla^
they perfc
had trout
ground at

T he most common chamber music ensem-

ble for the euphonium player is the
euphonium/tuba quartet, also called the
tuba quartet, composed of two euphoniums and
two tubas. Though this ensemble has existed for
American brass quartet of two trumpets, horn,
and trombone. Replacing the trombone with the
euphonium in most of this music poses no prob-
lem, because the trombone serves as the bass in-
strument much of the time. In fact, the addition
euphoniui
Trios ar
ensembles
The most
trumpets a
only about 15 years, a tremendous amount of of the euphonium gives this rather thin instru- are trumpe
literature has been generated for it. One obvious mentation a remarkably full, beautifully blended euphoniuit
advantage of belonging to such a group is that sound. trumpets a
the euphonium is in the limelight most of the Other quartet combinations that have stimu- and trombi
time. It is excellent for training young musicians lated composers' creativity are two trumpets, The bras.
because the parts are typically more demanding trombone, and euphonium, as well as trumpet, has no fixe-
than those in other ensembles. Audiences are horn, trombone, and euphonium. These instru- choir usual;
always pleasantly surprised to hear the wonder- mentations are promising for euphonium players horns, and,-
ful sound that comes from such an unlikely because of the large amount of music for the euphonium:
group of instruments. In addition there are quartets of two trumpets and two trombones section. Bra
many other combinations of euphonium/tuba and the combination of trumpet, horn, and two leges and ur
ensembles, ranging from trios to octets. trombones. In playing this music the euphonium the greatest
Several mixed brass ensembles that include the replaces the second trombone. Independent
euphonium have significant bodies of literature. The major advantage of any quartet combina- primarily be
The most popular of these is the brass sextet, tion is the large amount of music already written brass choir r
which is a brass quintet plus euphonium. This for other mediums that can be easily adapted. established c
combination has inspired more original composi- String quartets are by far the most popular in- Chamber i
tions and arrangements than any other brass in- strumental chamber ensemble ever, with a vast that includes
strumental group except for the brass quintet. collection of literature written by the greatest but the quali
No small brass ensemble is more versatile than composers of all time. For centuries composers them worth i
the brass sextet, which contains all the sounds of have been writing vocal music in four parts, icant piece is
the American brass family. What is more, an which may represent our richest resource of mu- Corporation)
ensemble of this instrumentation can perform sic for the modern brass quartet. trumpets, thr
almost any of the smaller ensemble works yet to Without a doubt the brass quintet is the cur- Other pieces
be discussed, making it easy to choose a varied rent staple of the brass world. Unfortunately no tet for euphor
program. one has asked us euphonium players to join in Newel K. Bro
The brass quartet, another mixed brass combi- the fun! Though some quintet literature specifies euphonium, si
nation, uses two trumpets, horn, and euphoni- three are diffic
um. It is popular in England, and a considerable college-level m
Euphoniumist Dan S. Vinson is a graduate of North
amount of music has been written and arranged Texas State University and the University of Illinois. He The beauty
for it. Although the English use an EP horn in regularly appears as soloist with the U.S. Coast Guard bilities are end
their ensembles, at least one music importer pro- Band and is a member of U.S. Coast Guard Band Tuba ists may join t-
vides transcribed parts for the F horn that is Quartet. Vinson is a founding member of Hot Cross ble. Your ense:
used in the United States. Another source of lit- Brass, is a member of the Summit Brass Council, and is already written
erature for this group comes from the traditional the advertising coordinator for the T.U.B.A, Journal. mentation or y

18 THE INSTRUMENTALIST / DECEMBER 1988

the use of euphonium, playing the majority of it ten for other mediums. Two good references for
requires the euphoniumist to double on tuba or specific titles in each instrumental category are
trombone. Replacing the trombone completely is The Brass Players Guide (Robert King Music
risky because much of the literature contains ef- Company, 1987-88) and David Werden's Eupho-
fects that simply cannot be performed on a nium Music Guide (Whaling Music Publishers,
valved instrument; replacing the tuba could be revised 1987).
ineffective because of the euphonium's limited The strength of the euphonium is its extreme
low range. In at least two of the most well- versatility. It can play broadly and full, but also
known brass quintets — the Empire Brass and lightly and lyrically. It can play bass lines, mel-
the Canadian Brass — the trombones use eupho- ody lines, and countermelodies. In harmony it
nium a large portion of the time, and the tubist blends with the other brasses, yet is distinctive
in the Empire is known to use euphonium occa- enough to soar above the fullest ensemble
sionally. sound. The world of chamber music has as
One innovative brass quintet, the Top Brass much to gain by including the euphonium as
from Centerville, Ohio, recently replaced its F euphoniumists have to gain from chamber
horn player with a euphonium player. Because music. D
they perform mostly jazz and pop music, they
had trouble finding a hornist with the back-
ground and interest to fit in, so they chose a
euphoniumist instead, with good results.
Trios are the last of the small mixed brass
ensembles whose music includes the euphonium.
The most common trio combination is two
trumpets and euphonium. Other combinations
are trumpet, horn, and euphonium or trombone,
euphonium, and tuba. Music written for two
trumpets and trombone or for trumpet, horn,
and trombone can be adapted for these trios.
The brass choir, the largest of the ensembles,
has no fixed instrumentation. Music for brass
choir usually calls for three to six trumpets,
horns, and/or trombones; no more than two
euphoniums and tubas; and often a percussion
section. Brass choirs are used extensively in col-
leges and universities, and they perform some of
the greatest music ever written for any ensemble.
Independent professional brass choirs are rare,
primarily because it is so convenient to perform
brass choir music using the brass sections of
established orchestras or bands.
Chamber music for mixed brass and non-brass
that includes euphonium is almost nonexistent,
but the quality of the few works we have makes
them worth mentioning. Perhaps the most signif-
icant piece is Leos Janacek's Capriccio (Antia
Corporation) for solo piano, flute/piccolo, two
trumpets, three trombones, and euphonium.
Other pieces include Thorn Ritter George's Sex-
tet for euphonium and woodwind quintet, and
Newel K. Brown's Windart 2 (Seesaw Music) for
euphonium, six clarinets, and vibraphone. All
three are difficult works, requiring the abilities of
college-level musicians.
The beauty of chamber music is that the possi-
bilities are endless. Any group of instrumental-
ists may join together to form a chamber ensem-
ble. Your ensemble may be able to find music
already written and arranged for your instru-
mentation or you may have to adapt music writ-