Steven Mead

Steven Mead – Meisterkurs Euphonium

Englishman Steven Mead needs no introduction to brass enthusiasts around the world as his playing and teaching have become known to virtually all who have a love for the instrument known as the euphonium.
 
As a soloist his career as a professional solo performer continues to break new ground. With over 75 solo performances a year his relentless schedule sees him touring almost constantly.
 
This remarkable solo career followed on from the successes he achieved as a member of several of the UK’s leading brass bands. Nowadays he travels constantly and performs regularly with some of the finest brass, wind and symphonic ensembles in the world.
 
He has played solo concerti with symphony orchestras in many countries of the world including Norway, Finland, Poland , USA, Canada, Italy, Japan, Lithuania and Germany.
As a soloist he has played with most of the leading military bands in the world including Band of the Garde Republicaine (Paris, France) The Central Band of the RAF (London, UK) The Italian Police Band (Rome, Italy), The Dutch Marine Band (Rotterdam,Netherlands) The US Army Band (Washington DC, USA).
He won first prizes at the National Brass Band Championships in London’s Royal Albert Hall on four occasions, as well as the Euphonium Player of the Year on two occasions and the best soloist in the BBC TV series Best of Brass on two occasions.
 
He has been described as one of the world’s most recorded solo brass artists with over 70 CDs to his credit. In addition, his strong contribution to education literature for the euphonium is unmatched, such as specialist publications by publishers such as DeHaske and Studio Music.
He is the owner of a music label, Bocchino Music which produces and distributes his albums.
As an innovator for the whole ‘low brass’ world in general, he has been the Artistic Director of all 6 of the National Tuba / Euphonium Conferences , held in the UK. He was also the Artistic Director of the highly successful International Tuba Euphonium Conference (ITEC), held in Linz, Austria in June 2012.
He has also given concert tours with several leading professional chamber ensembles in Europe, including Sound-Inn-Brass (Austria), Spanish Brass Quintet, Classic Quintet (Bolzano,Italy) ,Trombonisti Italiani (Italy) and London Brass.
His innovation is also evident with his premiere performances of new concerti and major works by Martin Ellerby, Philip Sparke, Torstein Aagaard Nilsen, Tadeusz Kassatti, John Reeman, Derek Bourgeois, Vladimir Cosma, Rolf Rudin,  Thomas Dos, Howard Snell, Hermann Pallhuber, Stephen Roberts, to name but a few. To date he has given over 500 world premiere performances.
 
He is also well known and respected by his high profile work in brass pedagogy. He is the Professor of  Euphonium the Royal Northern College of Music, in Manchester UK and also at teaches at several specialist schools across Europe, and in Japan.  He was recently given the award of Fellow of the RNCM .

He has been responsible for the first ever euphonium masterclasses in Italy, Portugal, Lithuania, Slovenia, Russia, Austria and Croatia.  Students from all around the world come to study with him the UK and many of them have gone on to enjoy top professional careers.
 
As a designer and instrument consultant Steven has worked with Besson/Buffet Crampon for over thirty years. 
He has also been an adjudicator at some of the leading brass band, wind band and solo contests. 

Steven Mead was recently awarded the title of the honorary Citizen of Jeju Island, South Korea for his work assisting the Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival, and from 2013 to 2020 he was also Artistic Director of the festival. 

 
Many commentators suggest it is Steven’s vocal background (from the age of 6) that is responsible for the truly unique beauty of his euphonium tone. His rich expressive approach to musical performance has been admired by professional musicians around the world. His concerts and recitals are hallmarked by a unique communication between artist and audience.
 
“Quotes”
 
Howard Snell – Conductor, former Principal trumpet London Symphony Orchestra: 
“…In the parallel universe of brass-world Steven Mead is a celebrity. He amazes, astonishes and astounds afresh with each recording or concert appearance. He continually renews and invigorates his repertoire and never fails to offer something novel to the public. He never lets his fans down.Steven’s years on the road, the constant search for new repertoire, a teaching role where no trouble is too much, all of these things go well beyond that of being merely a great performer, of which there are quite a few, and take him into the position only the blinkered would contest: his world-wide role as the euphonium’s foremost ambassador”. 

Brass Band World: “A standing ovation coaxed Steven back on stage, and completely unaccompanied, gave the audience a virtuostic performance almost beyond belief. The crowd were enthralled.”
 

British Bandsman: “His recital was a tour de force of flawless technique, incredible virtuosity and a refined and appropriate sense of good taste and true musicianship.”
 

ITEA Journal: “I cannot remember the last time I had so much fun listening to a euphonium recording. With a potpourri of music Steve again reveals why he continues to be in amazing demand as one of the world’s premiere brass soloists.”