Female Euphonium Player Series - BENTE ILLEVOLD

Next up in this blog series is a Norwegian euphonium player with an international reputation. Bente Illevold is at the forefront of all things euphonium, including major new commissions, performances at international events, composing and conducting. She is a Shires euphonium artist and her recordings have demonstrated that she is a true virtuoso.

Before reading her interview, you MUST listen to her playing! 🎵 Here is a recording of her playing Variations on a Theme from "Norma" by V. Bellini.

I hope you enjoy reading her interview!

Do you have a favourite composer or piece of classical or brass music? 

No, I have not. I think your taste in music develops and changes as you grow, both as a musician and as a human being. But I do have some music I always come back to, and that is Bach's cello suites. For me, that is music that demands all possible skills and artistry on the euphonium. Being able to perform it with meaning, great musicality and sounding well, summaries the goals I have for my euphonium playing in general. 

Have you got any funny stories or unique experiences that you would like to share about any musical projects you have ever been involved in? 

I don’t have any particular story, but I truly enjoy all the travels I have been able to do because of my euphonium playing. I got to see the world, meet a lot of people from different cultures than mine, with different perspective of life. I enjoy that a lot! Especially how it might challenge my opinions about stuff, and how it makes me grow.

What 3 songs do you love the most and why?  

Again, this is hard to say, but I always get goosebumps listening to Elgar's “Nimrod” from Enigma Variations, the Hymn from “Jupiter” by Gustav Holst and “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aron Copland. There is something about the nerves, timing and lines in this music to me.

Tell us about some of your achievements as a euphonium player and musician.

I am not a great fan of bragging about what I do. I have the mindset that “you are never better than your last concert” meaning that no gig is too small, and that you shall always perform and prepare in the best possible way.

My goal is to bring the euphonium out to more people, and not only play for people within the tuba and euphonium community. In that case I am proud to say that I have made some progress and development. Back in 2021, I was awarded the prestigious Forsberg and Aulies grant, and I was also the first Norwegian euphonium player to become a member of Norsk Tonekunstnerforbud. In 2023, I was awarded Drammen Municipality's artist grant, and the title Municipal Artist of the Year.

I will also say that I truly make a living as a freelance performer outside institutions. Meaning that I mainly do my own artistic projects as a performer, not in orchestras and military bands. I do teach a little, but not much. And I still make a living with a good living standard, meaning I own a house, have a car, go on vacations, I have a life! I feel that is a big achievement that hopefully will show future generations of euphonium players that this is possible!

What would you still like to achieve in your life, musical or not musical? 

I would like to become a better musician and instrumentalist. I still feel I have a lot to learn on the euphonium. The instruments potential is so much bigger than my skills at this point. I want to really make a difference, and be remembered as a great artist that pushed the world of euphonium forward.

I am also a hobby runner, so I have some times I want to beat in all running distances from the 3K to the marathon.

How did you first get involved in music and what was your early inspiration? 

I started in the local school band on trumpet when I was 9 years old. I can't remember any specific inspiration, but some music inspired me more than others of course. I've always been a fan of long phrases and phrases filled with passion and emotion. I've never idolized one specific performer, only focusing on the quality of the music itself. 

Time for another video of Bente performing on euphonium!

Do you have a website, business or social media page you would like to promote? Please tell us all about it. 

I post regularly on both Facebook and Instagram. I try to have a bit of a different profile on those two platforms. Facebook being more formal and professional, and Instagram more personal with everyday practice videos. I try to keep my social media as close to reality as possible, not creating illusion that the life as a euphonium player is glamourous. At the end of the day we are all just human beings.

I also have a website. www.euphonia.no

Do you agree there are challenges facing female musicians today? If so what do you think are the biggest changes that need to be made to improve this? 

Yes. I see challenges related to gender equality in all professions around me here in Norway; it’s no different in the field of music, and I don’t think Norway is any different than other countries.

When I hear people say that there are no challenges related to gender equality or diversity, I think they are closing their eyes and only experiencing what they themselves have encountered. Often, it’s older white, heterosexual men who make such statements. Historically, we all know that their journey to success has been much easier than everyone else’s.

I don't have the answers for how to solve these challenges. But as I see it, it is closely tied to power and position, and the fear of losing then, perhaps also the fear that societal progress will demand that those with conservative views must change. It is human to fear change, but it is not a good trait to close doors to those who are different from yourself.

What I miss most of all is a fruitful debate in the global tuba and euphonium community. Not just about gender equality and diversity, but about artistic quality and the future. As I see it, leading organizations and individuals are a bit too complacent, there are many words, but little action.

I firmly believe that change must come from the top of the pyramid, so perhaps we have to wait until the next generation gets their chance to truly see a shift. The legacy that today’s stars, or soon retired stars, advocate does not impress me.

What piece of advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time? 

Practice more, and with better quality. Be more accurate in my practice and use zero energy on other students’ development. I would have played more concerts when I was a student, and I would have started a chamber music group I would stick with forever. I would have commissioned more music from student colleagues in composing.

And, finally, don't think that your teacher knows it all! They don’t! Music is an individuals travel and development. It will come down to how much you are able to process and reflect on, and how you then put it into action. What consequences will your knowledge have for your practice, how far are you willing to push yourself? 

What piece of advice would you give to young brass players (or any instrumentalists) to help them find success?

Quit social media!

Focus on your own progress. Play the necessary studies, exercise and repertoire for the level you are at, not for the level you want to be at. Be honest to yourself in the practice room, don’t fake it. Listen more to music, both live and on streaming. And improvise on your instrument every day.

A big THANK YOU to Bente for being interviewed in this blog series!

I hope you enjoyed reading the interview, please share it, like and subscribe and look out for the next one very soon!

To return to the overview page to see who is next to be featured, just CLICK HERE!

Mark Glover

03/10/24