David Childs has just returned home from the United States where he was the guest soloist at the United States Army Band 'Pershing's Own' Annual Tuba-Euphonium Workshop in Washington DC.
The workshop featured concerts, recitals, exhibits, master classes, and lectures by leading low brass authorities from around the world.
High profile stars
The Besson artist joined a number of high profile stars as Demondrae Thurman, Brian Bowman, Jon Sass and Matt Tropman where he performed with renowned pianist Caryl Cooper in a recital performance of classical transcriptions and American showpieces from the pen of former Sousa Band soloist, Simone Mantia.
The recital can be viewed on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmHNVY097yo
24 hours later he gave a performance of Peter Meechan's 'Three Stories- Three Worlds' — over a decade since he last performed it. This time it was with the US Army Concert Band, directed by Jeremiah Keillor.
This performance can be viewed at (around 36mins and 40secs) at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNe88zltwyk
Wonderful trip
David told 4BR: "It was a wonderful trip full of great highlights. My grateful thanks go to the US Army Band, and in particular, organisers Dave Brown and Adam Lessard. Playing at this event in 2002 with my Dad remains a very fond memory, and it was wonderful to return this year."
Treat
He added: "It was a real treat to perform with Caryl Conger. Caryl accompanied my father and uncle when they toured here as 'The Childs Brothers' on several occasions. It was a delight to meet up again.
It was also great to return to Pete's piece. It started life as a concerto for euphonium and brass band for David Thornton and Black Dyke.
I later had the pleasure of giving the premiere of the wind band version with Birmingham Symphonic Winds so to get reacquainted with it again was well overdue."
