'Tips from the Top' - Interview with Lilian Meurin

On this week's 'Tips from the Top' we welcome French born Euphonium Player Lilian Meurin, Lilian needs no introduction to the brass banding world, being a regular on the British Brass Banding contest stage and also having the incredible achievement of recently winning the world renown Jeju International Brass Competition.

1.      When did you start to play the euphonium?

I started playing music when I was 4 years old with the drums and then, when I turned 9, I decided to try the euphonium. And I never left it ever since.

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

Every concert is different and the feelings are also different every time but the one that stands out the most is probably the first concert I did being a soloist. I was 12 at that time and it was very special. The concert was at the Champs Élysées theatre in Paris with a symphonic orchestra. It was at that moment that I knew I wanted to be a musician.  

3.      What skills/personal attributes are most important to being a successful Euphonium Player? What advice would you offer to aspiring Euphonium/Baritone players?

I don't really know if I have tips that are interesting Micah! I'm 20 and I still have a lot to learn and discover. But I think that hard work and ambition are qualities that a musician needs to succeed in life. Having fun on stage and pleasing the audience are the two most important things for me.  

4.      What are your favourite Euphonium Solo’s?

There are a lot of music pieces that I like to play. I've been into transcription from cello a lot lately (my favorite directory).Also I really like some saxhorn's pieces from French composers like Roger Boutry or Alfred Desenclos. If I had to choose one in particular, I'd say euphonium concerto from Martin Ellerby, but there're so many..It’s hard to choose!  

5.      You have had a busy period of playing, including a successful run in a number of solo contests, what has been your highlight from these recent events?

Jèju international competition was fantastic. It was my first trip to Asia and being part of this competition was one of my biggest dream. When Steven Mead pronounced my name for the first price, it was crazy!

The competition that happened last month in Tours (France) was also very special. This contest has existed for a long time and to play the final in front of many of my friends was a special feeling that I'll never forget.  

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

I don't work the same way everyday, it depends on the piece of music I'm working on. But of course I have some exercises that I do daily (Arban, Clarke).

7.      How do you prepare for solo competitions? What are the key pieces of advice that you can offer.

Of course, work is really important when preparing a contest. Everything has to be mastered but the mental part is also extremely important. When you are in a final with extremely talented people, the mental sometimes makes the difference because everybody is able to win and we all know the concerto really well. In my case, I try to be extremely concentrated to do the best I can on stage. And then, it's the jury's decision.

8.      You have recently been involved in the development of the Antoine Courtois Saxhorn, Can you tell me a little about you involvement with the instrument?

Absolutely, It is very interesting to develop a new model.. It's a project that we've been working on with Saxhornia, Philippe Fritsch (my teacher) and buffet crampon. We made modifications on the previous model and we are very happy with the result. I'll present the instrument in a coming teaser.  

9.      Who would you say is the one Euphonium player who has influenced you the most? Why?

I don't know if I have a favourite euphonium player. There are a lot of great players in the world and each of them have their own qualities when it comes to music. I'd say that I get my inspiration and tips in all of them. But of course, Steven Mead, Bastien Baumet, Ivan Millet, David Childs, Sebastien Stein Thomas Ruedi and many more are people that inspired me in the past and who are still models that I refer to.  

10.   What advice would you give to a musician recently graduated from college? And what are your future ambitions?

I'm not finished yet with my studies. My recital will be in June this year. I'll be able to answer this question then. I have the recording of my first CD this year and it needs a lot of time to prepare. I'd like to develop my music repertoire in Saxhorn and Euphonium even more, playing concerts as much as possible and maybe experience the teaching part of music in a few years.  

I would like to thank Lilian for his taking the time to talk to 'The Young Brass Musician's Blog' and I look forward to keeping up to date with the new Antoine Coutois Saxhorn and look forward to meeting you in person in the very near future.