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As an internationally renowned soloist, Gary Curtin is known as a performer who doesn’t shy away from broadening the spectrum Gary of what the euphonium can truly achieve. Though Gary’s roots did not originate in the brass band genre, his move from Cork to the UK in 2005 was the first step to supporting his successful ascension within the banding Curtin world. Gary was born in Cork City, Ireland and began playing the baritone at the age of 12 with Mayfield Brass Band. His move away from the baritone arose due to both members of the euphonium section marrying and subsequently stepping down from the band at the same time. Shortly after the switch to euphonium, Gary fell in love with the sound of the instrument and became increasingly convinced that he wanted to dedicate his life to becoming a musician. Gary was the first euphonium player to study at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate level at the Cork School of Music and was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2015. During his Postgrauduate a position he made his own over his seven As an in-demand performer, Gary Delivering masterclasses has seen studies, Gary wished to find a teacher year tenure. has made numerous appearances Gary work at Salford University, who specialised in euphonium leading across Europe and the wider world Birmingham Conservatoire, Cork him to seek tuition in the UK with some In 2017, Foden’s Band approached Gary as a soloist. His recent travels saw School of Music, British Army of the world’s leading euphonium players to become their Principal Euphonium. him perform in Japan, Singapore, School of Music and many more including David Thornton and Robert Though a difficult decision to leave Norway, Switzerland, America and internationally. During the pandemic, Childs. During these visits, Gary was Black Dyke Band, Gary knew that a Canada. Gary doesn’t just work with like all musicians, Gary has taken to fortunate to hear both Black Dyke Band position in a band like Foden’s, which is brass bands, he has also appeared teaching online lessons via Zoom. and Cory Band perform live concerts on his doorstep, was not likely to come with the RTE National Symphony which inspired his move to the UK to around very often. This also facilitated a Orchestra in Dublin Ireland, the Royal If you would like to book a lesson with further his education. reduction in time spent on the road, time Liverpool Philharmonic and the BBC Gary, or to invite him to be a guest which has become invaluable with his Philharmonic Orchestras playing both soloist with your ensemble, or to help Following a move to Manchester in very young family. the Euphonium and Bass Trumpet. train your band for a contest, please 2005, Gary completed a Performance contact him at [email protected] Diploma at the Royal Northern College Over the course of the last 15 years, Throughout his muscial career, Gary of Music under the tutelage of Steven Gary has been an integral part of many has forged many relationships with Gary is currently sponsored by Mead. During this time, he began to winning contest performances as well as some of the best composers and Sterling Instruments and Randefalk immerse himself in the brass band scene being proudly awarded numerous solo arrangers who have accompanied Mouthpieces. joining Wingates Band in January 2006 prizes including: him in his realisation of this project. as Principal Euphonium. Best Soloist - Senior Cup 2007, Best Euphonium - Geoff Whitham Alongside his illustrious playing Three and a half years later, Gary then Trophy at the British Open 2010 career, Gary enjoys teaching at all joined the Fairey Band. The following and 2014, Best Soloist – European levels. His current job sees him teach year in November 2010, Gary was Brass Band Championships 2015, brass at both primary and secondary approached by the conductor of Black Best Soloist – Senior Trophy 2017, level. He continually works with Dyke Band, Dr Nicholas Childs to Best Soloist – Brass in Concert 2017, groups across all levels of banding, assume the role of Principal Euphonium, Best Euphonium – Brass in Concert 2018. including youth bands and beginner. The Soloist This passion and devotion to “I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE EUPHONIUM the art is clear in this debut recording from Gary Curtin – a combination of technical AT A VERY EARLY AGE AND QUICKLY feats that no other player is capable of, importantly aligned with a real depth of musical DECIDED I WANTED TO DEDICATE MY LIFE understanding. The repertoire stretches from his virtuoso set pieces, known to brass band TO BE THE BEST PLAYER AND MUSICIAN I audiences throughout the world, to a brand-new concerto especially commissioned for COULD POSSIBLY BE." GARY CURTIN, 2020 this album. It makes for a truly captivating listening experience – prepare to be wowed!! Euphonium prize for that year. The December 2019. Paul Lovatt-Cooper and conductor Bert Appermont, whose final display piece is Hugo Alfvén’s wanted to compose a lovely gentle works are performed worldwide and The Virtuoso Vallflickans Dans. Swedish composer melody to reflect the calm breathing of extensively used by the BBC for TV and Alfvén originally wrote this as a feature a new born child. film scores. Gary’s brass band performing career for the first violins during his balletThe has taken him all over the globe and Mountain King (Bergakungen), Frode Get Here If You Can is a pop ballad Deep Surge, written in 2019 is the first audiences have become accustomed Rydland’s version for euphonium and written by American singer and song euphonium concerto by Tom Harrold, to his incredible virtuosity and band is a real romp for the soloist, with writer Brenda Russell. It was a massive commissioned by Gary for this album. showmanship. The title track of this a beautiful ‘eye of the storm’ moment hit for vocalist Oleta Adams in 1990 The work essentially deals with one album Éire Time, written especially in the middle. reaching No.5 both in the US and the idea: that the soloist is pitted against an for him by his friend and colleague UK charts. Gary’s vocal performance aggressive, single-minded, tumultuous Andrea Price has perhaps become his here is accompanied by John Barber accompaniment that barely allows the trademark solo. Referencing Gary’s (Foden’s solo trombone) on piano, solo’s virtuosic lines any space or time Irish roots and showcasing his abilities The Lyrical Jim Fieldhouse on sax, Anthony Mann to grow, or even be heard. The overall perfectly it is the ideal opening piece. on kit and a cool bass line from Andy effect is one of a strained relationship There are still more fireworks to come Beauty Cattanach. between soloist and band, one which through the Vizzutti variations of never seems to be overcome. Carnival of Venus (originally Venice!) We hear the true ‘Bel Canto’ style and Antonio Bazzini’s Dance of the ringing true in four items of lyrical Cantiphonia is a spectacular three- Goblins – made famous by Heifetz, beauty. The Water is Wide and In The Consummate part concerto (Contrasti, Romanza Menuhin and Perlman but is now given Christ Alone are well known melodies and Fugato) for euphonium and brass the Curtin treatment! Fellow ‘Fodenite’ that lend themselves ideally to the band by Bert Appermont, composed at Jonathan Bates wrote Eternal Source euphonium. Musician the request of Swiss soloist, Ueli Kipfer. of Light Divine especially for Gary to The music takes its influence from the perform at the 2018 Brass in Concert From Your Smile was commissioned The two major works for this project are works by Mahler and Rachmaninov and Contest and consequently leading by Gary and his wife Leanne to by award winning Scottish composer, is considered one of the most innovative to him being awarded the Best celebrate the birth of their son Jamie in Tom Harrold and Belgian composer works by Appermont to date. To celebrate the relief of Mafeking during the Boer War outside the boundaries of the usual brass In 2012 Foden’s cemented themselves in 1900, a brass band was established in the village of band concert repertoire. as one of the leading brass bands in the Foden's Elworth, near Sandbach in Cheshire. The band was world winning a rare and exceptional adopted by local industrialist Edwin Foden and was In 2012 Foden’s set up a Youth Band to ‘Double’ being crowned 2012 British named The Foden’s Motorworks Band. From these nurture the very best youth musicians in Open and National Champions. In humble beginnings few would have thought this band the area to become the future of the brass doing so the band defeated the very best Band would go on to win 12 British Open titles, 14 National industry and in 2015 set up a Junior Band bands in Britain at the world’s two most Championships of Great Britain and an unparalleled to act as a feeder to the Youth Band. The prestigious competitions. double hat-trick in 1932, 33, 34 and in 1936, 37 and Foden’s solo competition (held annually 38. The band currently holds the record for the number in November and staffed by players of the As well as being very successful on of Area Contest wins with an unprecedented 23 North band) regularly attracts over 170 players the contest front the band has won West Area titles. from around the world. Foden’s also has numerous awards for CD releases, partnerships with all the various youth regularly appearing on BBC TV and Around the world Foden’s Band is a trademark that organisations in Cheshire and run an Radio and performing at all the countries musicians associate with inestimable class and annual non-competitive Youth Festival.