Charley profile picture

Charley

Aspire and Be Inspired

About Me

(Click on the highlighted white texts for links)

Welcome Everyone!

Hi from England.
If you play Euphonium drop me a line. Tell me about your instrument / mouthpiece / band and the solos or studies you are playing.
If I can be of any help to you, just ask.
(Links and info updated August 2nd.)
You are listening to 'Adagio' by Henri Casedesus (1879-1947). Often attributed to J.C. Bach, but it's actually the 2nd. movement of a Concerto for Viola.
This is the live recording from my recent recital at St. Mary's with Malcolm Stowell, piano.
It's played on an B & H Imperial 4v compensating Euphonium, circa 1980.
For more songs, click here
You can listen to some Baritone & Euphonium duets on-line at;
this location.
Current status;
Willson performing artist since November 2004
Principal Euphonium, Guest Conductor, B.B.C. Elstree Concert Band,
City of London Winds.
The Orchestra of The City.
The The Philharmonia Britannica Orchestra.
Euphonium;
The London Brass Symposium symphonic brass group.
Euphonium;
Ascot Brass brass ensemble.
Euphonium;
Ebony, Ivory & Brass Classical Trio.
Musical director & arranger / euphonium;
The Capriccioso Low Brass Quartet.
Musical director & arranger / euphonium;
The Celebration Brass Ensemble.
Instrumental equipment;
Main euphonium, Willson 2900 4 valve compensating large bore model, December 1994.
Second euphonium, Willson 2900 4 valve compensating large bore model, March 1992.
Vintage euphoniums;
Besson Enharmonic 3 valve Baritone, circa 1917.
Boosey Solbron 3v circa 1921.
Joseph Highams Clearbore 5 valve euphonium, Manchester, circa 1891.
Courtois 4 valve, non compensating circa 1900.Imported by Chappell's of Bond Street, London.
French Besson Prototype, 3 valve, non compensating Euphonium circa 1915.
Hawkes & Son 4 valve Dictor Euphonium circa 1918.
Joseph Highams 5 valve Euphonium, Manchester, circa 1902.
Joseph Highams 'Contesting' 4 valve, non compensating Euphonium, Manchester, circa 1914.
Besson 'Enharmonic' 4 valve Euphonium.
Besson 'Enharmonic' 3 valve 1905 Euphonium.
F.E. Olds 2 valve Marching Baritone pitched in G.
Salvation Army Bandmaster 4 valve non compensating euphonium, circa 1933, St. Alban's factory.
Listen to these Euphoniums.
Mouthpiece;
Doug Elliot ( U.S.A. ) screw rim, cup & shank combination;
LB W116 rim, LB M cup & LB M 2004 shank.
Played Euphonium since school days, now busy doing solo recitals and guest appearances with wind/brass and string ensembles.
Featuring the wonderful music of Terry Treherne & Joe Miserendino , plus many other fine composers.
Compiled the complete history of the famous Hanwell Brass Band from West London.
Currently soloist with the BBC Winds at Maida Vale Studios, and guest conductor, also the City of London Winds at Covent Garden and guest Euphonium with Ascot Brass in Maidenhead.
Private brass teacher and collector of vintage euphoniums.
Sponsored by Willson Band instruments of Switzerland.
Recital Facts & Figures
Since May, 2001

31 recitals given, playing 166 pieces of music,
by 117 different composers,
from 15 different countries,
with 147 on piano, 19 on organ
featuring 12 duets, and 66 premiers,
on 19 different euphonium models,
to a total audience of 1,504 people.
Read recital reviews here More on my website at;
www.euph9.freeserve.co.uk
and in my on line photo album.

Concert/Brass Band, Ensemble
& Solo Performance Dates for 2008;


Saturday, November 8th.
BBC Winds Concert, St. Jame's Piccadilly London, 745pm
Sunday, November 9th.
Remembrance Service, Beaconsfield Brass, Old Town, 10.30am
Saturday, November 22nd.
Euphonium Recital no.32, St. Mary's Slough, 12 noon admission free
Saturday, November 22nd.
Euphonium Recital, All Saints Church, Wokingham, Berkshire, 7pm
with Malcolm Stowell, Piano & Organ
Friday, December 5th.
Marylebone Station Xmas Carols 4pm
Monday, December 8th.
BBC Winds Christmas Concert, New Allum Hall Borehamwood 7.30pm
Thursday, December 11th.
Butler's Court School Beaconsfield Xmas Concert 7pm
Friday, December 12th.
Marylebone Station Xmas Carols 4pm
Saturday, December 13th.
Guest Solo, Christmas Concert Woking, 3pm & 7pm
Sunday, December 14th.
Tuba Xmas Carols, St. Paul's London (tbc)

Dates for 2009;

Sunday, January 4th.
The London Brass Symposium, concert in aid of the Clarence Adoo Trust
Saturday, February 21st.
Euphonium Recital no.33, St. Mary's Slough, 12 noon admission free
Monday, March 2nd.
BBC Winds Concert, Heart Foundation, New Allum Hall, Borehamwood, 7.30pm
Saturday,May 2nd.
Euphonium Recital no.34, St. Mary's Slough, 12 noon admission free
Saturday,June 6th.
Brass Soloist Day, St. Mary's Slough, 12 noon admission free
Monday, June 22nd.
BBC Winds Opening Concert, Borehamwood Festival, 7.30pm
Saturday, June
27th.
BBC Winds, Film Night Concert, Elstree Studios
Saturday, August 22nd.
Euphonium Recital no.35, St. Mary's Slough, 12 noon admission free
Saturday,September 5th.
Brass Soloist Day, St. Mary's Slough, 12 noon admission free
Saturday, November 21st.
Euphonium Recital no.36, St. Mary's Slough, 12 noon admission free
Monday, December 7th.
BBC Winds Xmas Concert, New Allum Hall, Borehamwood, 7.30pm

My Interests

Collecting and restoring old instruments (Euphoniums)

I'd like to meet:

Other musicians from around the World.

Music:

All good music

Movies:

Some Like It Hot!

Television:

Only Fools & Horses

Books:

Puckoon, Spike Milligan

Heroes:

Trevor Groom

My Blog

Bass Trombone Premiere

Jonathan Warburton will give the UK premiere of 'Canticles' by Johan de Meij this Saturday (8th.) with the BBC Elstree Concert Band at St. Jame's Piccadilly, London. The concert starts at 7.30pm and c...
Posted by Charley on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:45:00 PST

Tuba Xmas Carols

To all tuba, euphonium, baritone, sousaphone, ophecleide, serpent and cimbasso players, Tuba Carols 2008 is only six weeks away! Tuba Carols 2008 in London will take place from 12.45 until 2.30 on Su...
Posted by Charley on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:46:00 PST

3 New Works for Euphonium

3 new Euphonium works will get their premiere in November; Sonata for Euphonium is a wonderful new 3 movement suite written for me and Malcolm Stowell by American composer Elaine Fine, from Ohio....
Posted by Charley on Sat, 25 Oct 2008 08:16:00 PST

In The Press

UK Euphonium makes the Italian Press!..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />   Willson Euphonium artist Charley Brighton was featured in the Italian newspaper La...
Posted by Charley on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:54:00 PST

Latest addition to the collection

Just received a 1933 Conn Pan American (left in the pic) Euphonium, kindly donated by Doug Ruby from the USA. I will be performing on it in the November recital at St. Mary's; http://s91.photobucket.c...
Posted by Charley on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:50:00 PST

Concertante for Euphonium

UK composer Terry Treherne has just completed the long awaited brass band score for his 'Concertante for Euphonium'. Originally written for Euphonium & String Orchestra, the beautiful work has be...
Posted by Charley on Sun, 10 Aug 2008 03:05:00 PST

Summer Praise

Amersham Methodist Circuit, St Johns Methodist Church, Amersham, UK Saturday 9th August 2008 at 3-00pm "Summer Praise" With The Beaconsfield Brass Ensemble Directed by Trevor Austin Guest Performers: ...
Posted by Charley on Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:02:00 PST

Recital performance online

Complete programme recording of today's recital now online; http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?songs=159069&T=1442 Intrada, Sicilienne & Minuet (1908 Besson Enharmonic Euphonium)Adagio (1980's I...
Posted by Charley on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:25:00 PST

Music by an Imposter?

I was pleased to get hold of a clarinet arrangement of the Adagio by Bach in a Russian publication, to include in this recital coming up. After some research, (there was no BWV number) it turns out to...
Posted by Charley on Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:01:00 PST

concert recording online

Not long back from the 1000th. lunchtime concert at St. Mary's which was a wonderful event. Some 200+performers & audience enjoyed the whole concert, not least the magnificent finale we were able ...
Posted by Charley on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:24:00 PST