'Tips from the Top' - Interview with John Starkes

John Starkes needs no introducing, As Principle Euphonium of the Boscombe Salvation Army Band and Bournemouth Concert Brass as well as a Wilson Euphonium Artist, John has had a wealth of experiences and I am glad that he has joined me today to discuss a number of these experiences.

1.      When did you start to play the euphonium?

I started to play the Euphonium when I was 4 years old. My music teacher, John Lacey decided I did not have the embrasure for the Cornet and so handed me a Euphonium to go home with.

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

My typical day or week varies depending on what I am preparing for musically. Work wise I work with clients who have head injuries and I also work for Boscombe Salvation Army as a caretaker. I have rehearsals with Bournemouth Concert Brass on Mondays and Wednesdays and Boscombe Salvation Army Band on Thursdays this means that I can focus on my personal practice on Tuesday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s. My rehearsal routine is governed by what I am rehearsing in band and also focuses on my current solo work for upcoming engagements.

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

I do not tend to get unusual concerts or solo performances as these experiences are quite rare from a general point of view, however I have had a lot of interesting concert performances. Playing with Boscombe band at Birmingham Symphony Hall councils was a interesting memory. I cannot remember much about playing there as I had just got out of hospital following my first heart attack, I was told not to go, but I went anyway. I know the band played there and I performed in Derick Kane’s Bravura group which was made up of prominent Salvation Army Euphonium Players. I believe the strain of the weekend probably lead to my second heart attack the following week. I wish the event had been recorded so I could remember a little more about this superb day.

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

First and foremost a good Euphonium player must has a good tone, this is a base on which to build a solid, rich and warm sound, once this is achieved then this will act as a base to build a good and solid technique. I think something not mentioned very often that is an important skill required is that of a strong nerve, this is something required of all brass players. A good ear for accompaniment, a solid range through the entirety of the instrument and finally a willingness to practice and learn from those players around us.

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

Being perfectly honest with you, I see myself as an average Euphonium player, I believe the key is to listen to advice from those who are at the top of their game, never being afraid to ask for advice; most top players are more than willing to help. Also practicing the instrument is a big help too as the instrument does not play itself.

6.      What are your favourite Euphonium Solo’s?

My favorite Euphonium Solos have to be those featured within the Salvation Army Repertoire; ‘The Better World’ is a favourite solo of mine and cannot be beaten in terms of its content, showing the full range and technique of the Euphonium at its best. Howard Evans ‘When He Cometh’ is a beautiful slow melody with a lyrical lilt to it well suited for the Euphonium and finally a piece outside of Salvation Army Repertoire is Karl Jenkins ‘Lament’ these are 3 of my favorite solos. I think I should also mention some of the classical Salvation Army Variation solos such as ‘The Ransomed Host’ or ‘Song of the Brother’, solos which has stood the test of time, and written in such a way that you can feel the partnership between the band and the soloist. George Marshall’s ‘Ransomed’ is a solo of pure quality but rarely performed, but as mentioned solos which has stood the test of time and have a place in my heart.

7.      You have had a busy period of playing, recording with Derick Kane and travelling up to Scotland for a number of concerts, Can you tell me a little about these recent experiences?

Recording with Derick Kane was a very special honor for me, I have been influence by Derick throughout my whole playing career not only with his playing but also with his dedication to the Salvation Army, what he brings to everything he is involved in is special. This made my recent trip to Scotland very exciting, to sit and take part on the same section as Derick Kane was a very special experience and made the event one to remember. To return to Govan for the first time in 30 years as a soloist is another weekend I will never forget. This was where I began my whole service within the Salvation Army as a bandsman in the Govan Senior Band; this gave me the chance not to just play but to say thank you to them for everything they have done for me. It was moving to also be given the chance to say a further thank you to my Govan Bandmaster John Baillie who nurtured and encouraged me and put the roots which turned me into the player and Salvationist that I am today.

8.      How did you become a Wilson Euphonium Artist?

I was asked by Wilson to suggest a Wilson Euphonium which would work well within a modern brass band environment. This was a great honor and privilege for me. I tested a number of their models and gave detailed feedback on what I felt the instrument needed to enhance its sound using different tube boring and bell sizes. I believed that the Euphonium should play easily and freely through the full register with a beautiful sound as well as having superb mechanics such as valves.. This took several prototype models combing back and fore from manufacturers and finally the finished article arrived. The instrument played beautifully, suiting all the specifications which I had mentioned, this model was the Wilson Celebration 2960 TA-UK, I was then asked if I would a Wilson artist for the instrument which was an opportunity I was proud to accept. It made sense to play an instrument of which I had a great deal of say over in the original design. I am grateful to Wilson for the opportunity.

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

My personal practice routine is very structured, I always warm up taking time to play long tones and hymn tunes never going high but focusing on creating a good warm sound, this normally takes around 15 minutes. I then follow this with Lip Arpeggios for a similar length of time, I believe arpeggios are important because everything we play is a built up extension of scales and arpeggios. Breathing exercises are also very important; if you don’t breathe right then you do not play right. I always spend time on a project that is on the horizon such as a band piece or a solo. I practice daily even during holidays, I think consistency is the key to being a solid player on the stage. When I practice I practice till I cannot get it wrong, this gives me confidence when publicly performing knowing full well that I have done the ground work previously.

10.   You recently had to take a break from playing due to your heart conditions, how did you cope with this period away from playing the Euphonium?

There has never been a point in my life that I have been told that I could not play my Euphonium, it was a very difficult and hard point in my life. This period tested my faith as well as my belief in God. He had given me a gift and I yet it had been taken away from me. I still attended every band rehearsal and yes I confess I cried and wondered what I had done wrong, I longed to play again. This was a period of time where I learned to be patient, it was not an easy period and I had learn to stop blaming God and to trust God to get me through this very testing period in my life.

11.   During the past year you have returned to Euphonium playing, what have you change about your routines and playing style?

You have to remember that when you practice for hours every day and then stop for months, it does not matter who you are, you don’t just pick up the instrument again and start playing like you did. I had to start from scratch, building the sound back up, along with my technique and more importantly my confidence. I still have to be careful and aware so not to overdo it but I do my best and cannot ask for more. My trust in God to give me the ability allows me to do the Best for the Highest.

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

If I had to name just one individual Euphonium player then it would have to be Derick Kane, since a very young age he has shown me both in playing and spirituality everything I wanted to be. I have never scaled Derick’s dizzy heights as a player but his consistent encouragement even to this day keeps me striving forward to get better.

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

I would encourage someone to keep following their dreams and to keep putting the hard work into their playing and finally to use their degree wisely.

14.   What are your future ambitions?

My future ambitions are to first continue to serve in the Boscombe Salvation Army Band under the guidance of Bandmaster Howard Evans to the best of my ability and to keep trying to improve as a good player never stands still and always looks to improve. I think also I was to continue to remember to be thankful to God for the opportunities I have to share my humble offering with my Euphonium and to encourage others as much as I can.

15.   For the past number of years since I have known you John, you have always mentioned the phrase “The Best for the Highest” can you explain why?

This is simple, God gave us the gift of music and it is my job to honor him with that gift to the best of my ability, it does not matter how limited that ability or how large, I always offer the best of what I can give for the highest. 

Thank you John for taking the time to chat to me today, You have been a major player in encouraging me throughout my time playing the Euphonium especially during my time studying music at University. I look forward to catching up with you and hearing more updates soon.