'Tips from the Top' - Interview with Gary Curtin

In this week's 'Tips from the Tops' we welcome one of my biggest Euphonium heroes, Gary Curtain from the world famous Black Dyke Band.

1.      1.        When did you start to play the Euphonium? 

I started to play the baritone when I was about 12, when both euphonium members of the band decided to get together and eventually got married they left, the committee came to me and basically took the baritone off me and thrust a euphonium into my hands, and have played it ever since, that was in 1999.

2.      What is a typical day/week like for you?

A typical week would be teaching Monday to Friday in schools, generally 9am to 3pm, I teach at Salford University on a Wednesday evening after I finish my day time work. I have band rehearsals generally twice a week on a Monday and Thursday and most weekends have concerts. Myself and Leanne usually make sure we have Tuesday and Friday evening at least off as she has her band on a Wednesday and Sunday. I normally try to fit in some practice before band (arrive early as I come straight from work), or before Leanne gets home from work, and also on the nights she is away at band herself. Driving takes up a little time as it is a 140 mile round trip to band so finding time to learn notes and keep basics ticking over is often a challenge.

3.     What has been your most interesting/unusual concert performance?

I’m not sure I’ve had any unusual/strange concert experiences, but I have had a few funny ones. One being at a Roy Newsome conducting workshop when I played with Wingates Band, we were playing a section of Extreme Makeover (marimba solo and bottle blowing), one of the guys on front row blow the bottle too hard and covered himself in water, to which the rest of the band lost it. We still managed to play but it was a challenge.

4.      What skills/personal attributes are most important to being a successful Euphonium Player?

A personal attribute which I admire the most is humility. I’m not a fan of arrogance. Work hard and let your playing do the talking. That said, I am aware we must endeavor to look confident when we play, no matter what is happening behind the eyes.

5.      What personal advice would you offer to the average Euphonium player?

Work hard, ask questions from people in the know (generally people will be happy to help when they have a moment), assess your playing and see if there is anything you can do to better each area. Always make sure you cover the basics on a regular basis.

6.     What are your favourite Euphonium Solo’s?

There are many, but I guess I like the ones I’ve played as I know them best. My favorite solo I’ve played has to be Carnival of Venus arranged by Allen Vizzutti, although for trumpet I enjoyed performing it the most as it always provoked great reactions from the audience.

7.       You have played the Euphonium in many parts of the world, tell me about your experiences with the Euphonium

I have been fortunate to make many friends while playing over many years. This is probably due to the fantastic movement we are part of, there are so many relationships forged between players whether it be as a person who deputizes with a band, plays in a band full time, is on the organisational teams of bands or a player guesting as a soloist with a band.

I have been lucky to play in a few different countries, the KKL venue is always a brilliant concert each year. We travel to Japan this coming October for some concerts which will no doubt be brilliant. So many places I have been fortunate to travel to, simply because I love playing an instrument.

8.      In 2005 you moved to the UK to commence studies at the RNCM, what inspired you to take this move and tell me about your experiences at RNCM?

I was really enjoying my playing back home but was made to feel more and more frustrated by the lack of opportunity for a euphonium player, so I decided I was going to give up and pursue the trumpet, as I could potentially earn money doing so. I decided to travel to the UK for a lesson and met with David Thornton and we had a great lesson (well for me it was), I learned heaps and put this into practice when I got home and found myself improve almost immediately. Dave also brought me to hear Black Dyke that evening which was nothing short of astounding. So I contacted David a few weeks later asking if me coming to the RNCM would be a possibility and after a time we worked it out and I dropped everything and moved, that was almost 11 years ago now.

9.     You have played with Black Dyke Band since 2010, what have been your highlights?

KKL Lucerne every year,

Winning the Open, Nationals, Europeans (especially the year I got best soloist, that was special)

Trips to NYC, France, Norway, Germany, and so many more

The biggest and toughest concert for me is when the band traveled to Ireland, my family were in the audience and my granddad too who had never heard the band live. That was special, and the most nervous I have ever been for a concert, I knew most of the audience.

10.     Who would you say is the one euphonium player who has influence you the most?

David Thornton!

11.     I always remember hearing you play for the first time at The British Open in 2010 where you later won the ‘Geoff Whitham Memorial Award for Best Euphonium’. What top tips would you offer to a recently graduated music student.

Work hard, listen to lots of music, be humble, let your playing do the talking, and work hard, and then when your finished working hard, do some more. That said if you are really enjoying your playing it doesn’t always feel like hard work, its just what you do!

12.     Do you have any ambitions for the future?

I’d like to release a solo CD at some point, I guess that’s the next big thing for me.

I’m also looking forward to getting married in the next year or so which will be brilliant.

Gary, thank you for taking the time to chat to me, I would like to wish you all the very best for your future endeavors and look forward to booking a lesson with you very soon.