'Tips from the Top' - Interview with Glenn Van Looy

On this weeks 'Tips from the Top' we welcome Euphonium Superstar Glenn Van Looy. Glenn needs no introduction to the Brass Banding World, Geneva Artist and Principal Euphonium of Brass Band Buizingen, we chat to Glenn after his recent appearance with The Brighouse and Rastrick Band at The British Open Brass Band Contest where they achieved a resounding 2nd Place. 

1. When did you start to play the euphonium?

I started to play the euphonium when I was 7 or 8 years old with my dad in his village band.

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

A typical day is playing two hours in the morning and doing some sports, than I make some lunch and in the afternoon I go and teach and I conduct or have a rehearsal in the evening.

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

Euphonium means beautiful sound, so I think this will be the aspect that is the most important. It’s the slow music that expresses and can touch people. Music is such a beautiful language!

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

Play everyday as much as you can. And it is not necessary to do hours and hours, but if you leave your instrument out of the case and you play 5-10 minutes when you pass by, you’ll see how many times you pick it up without even realizing. This way you’ll progress fast and in a fun way.

5. What are your favourite Euphonium Solo’s? 

I’ve got a lot. I like Peter Meechans Devils Duel and Requiem Paraphrases a lot. But still love Philip Sparkes Pantomime and the Horovitz Concerto as well.

6. Tell me about your personal practice schedule/routine?

I do lots of basic exercises. It starts with long notes, than easy slow flexibilities and than I go over into my routine, which can take up to an hour or one hour and a half with loads of different stuff from the Arban to Stamp and Clarke.

7. You have a unique sound on the Euphonium, more specifically, how did you develop this sound?

I think sound is in your head. You sound how you want to sound and you will keep looking for it. I think sound is a very personal thing. I listened a lot to Stef Pillaert when I was young so I think that helped me to build my sound concept as well.

8. You have released three superb CD’s recently. How do you prepare for a recording and what tips would you offer to someone making their first solo CD?

Be in a great shape for it, that’s the biggest thing. And don’t stress while recording. You can always come back to it at a later stage or do another take. Take enough breaks during as well. If you are in good form and you know the music so well you can play it from memory you’ll be absolutely fine.

9. You have recently become a Geneva Artist, can you tell me a little about your role as an instrumental artist.

It’s been 2 years now since I’ve joined Geneva. My role is to promote the instruments and the brand; I really believe we have a great product. I also test the production and we’re still developing the instruments further. There is always things you can do, this is a great thing about the Geneva group. They think a head. We never stand still.

10. You have had great successes as a Euphonium soloist both on the concert and contest platforms. How do you prepare a difficult contest piece?

I turn it inside out. Be sure that I know all the technical difficulties and also know what your role is. Sometimes you’ve got a solo voice and sometimes an accompaniment, it’s a different way of playing, so I always learn the piece and even try to look at the scores as well.

11. You have played with many of the world’s leading brass bands, what have been your highlights and can you tell me a little of your experiences?

I’ve been very fortunate to play for some great bands and great conductors. I think one of the highlights was my Royal Albert debut with Beaumauris where the band did really well and came 4th and I got the award for best instrumentalist. I also loved playing for Brighouse and Rastrick last year where we had some great results as well and of course playing at the Europeans with the Cory band was amazing as well. (a shame about the draw though) I had fantastic moments with my former band Brass Band Heist both national as international and also with Brass Band Buizingen. Both bands are still very close to my heart and I will always stay in contact with them!

12. Who would you say is the one euphonium player who has influenced you the most?

I’ve got two really. I grew up when Brass Band Willebroek head their heydays and their euphonium player was a big part of it. Stef Pillaert had an amazing sound and a great musicality. I has put Belgian euphonium playing on the European map. But also Steven Mead has been a big influence, who doesn’t dream of his career as a young boy?

13. What advice would you give to a musician recently graduated from college?

Enjoy the teaching and try and be as enthusiastic and helpful for the students as your teachers did for you. And grab every chance to play a solo with the band or help out another band. The more you play, the happier you’ll be.

14. What are your future ambitions?

I’d love to get my own euphonium class in a conservatoire somewhere and keep doing what I’m doing now. I’m also spending lots of time conducting now, which I really enjoy. So would love to do some more with that as well.

Thank you Glenn for such an informative chat, it has been great to interview another one of my Euphonium heroes, who I have had the pleasure to see perform on a number of occasions. I look forward to having a lesson with you one day and wish you all the best for the future.