I have always known about the Tuba and Euphonium Workshop (TEW), which is an annual event celebrating all things tuba and euphonium and particularly the many talented professional musicians who are members of the various US military bands. But it wasn't until around 2014 that I properly started following it.
I remember that year, because the event was live streamed and British euphonium star, David Thornton was performing. I remember because I was living in Singapore at the time and I had to figure out what the time difference was in order to watch it live. I told myself that I would love one day to have the opportunity to visit Washington to watch the event, I never thought I would get the chance to perform there!
Well, here I am writing a blog about my experience as a guest soloist at the 2025 TEW! I like to write these 'My Experience' posts because I am very proud but also to inspire others to believe in their ability to do new things. Sometimes having a behind the scenes type story like this can make anyone realise that while things won't come your way without effort and hard work, anything is possible.
Here are some past 'My Experience' type posts:
Almost Missed Flight
I am going to start with a slightly embarrassing story, because I very nearly didn't even make my flight! I had invited my dad along on the trip and on the day of the flight, I had a really early start. I drove to pick him up and was a bit late due to some crazy traffic. Once checked in at the airport, I was really tired. I found a comfy sofa near the gate for our flight and had a little nap (which turned into a few hours sleep!). Here is a picture taken by my dad!
I just thought my dad would wake me so didn't set any alarm. I woke up as the flight gate was announced to be closing! Mad panic and a run through the terminal but we made it onboard!
Travelling With Euphonium
I sometimes get asked about how easy it is to fly with a euphonium, so I will write a little about that. Years ago, I used to always carry my euphonium in a leather gig bag on board the flight. Usually, I wouldn't even mention it at the check in desk and when at the gate I would ask if I could board early and hopefully find an overhead bin space where it would fit. Alternatively, I would ask a member of the cabin crew if they had space somewhere. My euphonium has been in a variety of different cabin cupboards and even once flew in a first class seat (while I was at the back!).
Lately though, I feel that it isn't too easy to take the instrument into the cabin. I find passengers are more likely to moan if they see a larger than usually acceptable cabin bag and it just isn't worth the hassle. So, I check my case in as hold luggage in the original case that the instrument came with. It is just a standard Sterling euphonium case, nothing special. Using this method is perfectly fine but I would give some important pieces of advice.
1) Cover the case in fragile stickers, make it very clear that it is fragile. Tape additional foam protection to it. Tape down the lockable clasps but do not lock them with the key. Pack the instrument inside with bubble wrap so it fits snug in the case. Include a piece of paper inside stating what the instrument is, your contact details and that it must be handled with care. This is useful in the event that officers decide they want to inspect it.
2) Check it in, but insist that the case goes through as over-size baggage. This usually means you take it to a different location or someone with a trolley will do it for you. This should mean it will be handled by hand and not suffer any drops along a conveyor belt.
The downside of taking my euphonium like this means that I potentially have to carry it around all the time at the event I am involved in. The case is ugly and heavy and it is not much fun doing this. It also makes it difficult to use public transport if needed at the location or have much flexibility.
So to beat this, and this depends on the airline but I usually try and take my leather gig bag with me. I leave it empty and hope they allow me to check it in for free as an extra bag. So far, so good with this method. I have also in the past used my empty gig bag as my carry on or as my suitcase and checked it in with clothes inside. It also helps if you travel with a family member because you could share luggage with them.
Here is a picture of my euphonium in its hard case, in a tray about to go through the oversized baggage area at Heathrow's terminal 5. My empty gig bag also went through this way. When you collect your luggage at the other end, most of the time the case is at the oversized collection point which is great, but sometimes it finds itself on the main baggage carousel.
TEW Day 1
I arrived on the Tuesday night and had a rehearsal with the army band first thing on Wednesday morning. To start with, I had to be taken through a security gate to gain access to the Fort Myer army base. Then we headed to Brucker Hall which is the home of the "Pershing's Own" band.
I managed to do some warming up and then waited patiently to be called through to meet and rehearse with the band. I was really nervous, it was quite intimidating being surrounded by all the army musicians in full uniform and I was questioning slightly how it was that I came to be there. But, I pulled myself together and the first rehearsal of the David Gillingham 'Euphonium Concerto' went really well. The conductor was Colonel Bruce Pulver and he was brilliant to work with.
After the rehearsal, I decided to go and do some more practice because I had taken a day off from playing due to travelling and felt that I needed more time with my euphonium. I also had other music to practice for upcoming Grimethorpe Band concerts.
After this, it was time to relax and because the weather was so lovely, my dad and I went for an explore around Washington DC. It is an amazing place, apart from The White House which was a bit underwhelming. After some food, we headed to watch a basketball game!
TEW Day 2
On the second day, I didn't have any rehearsals but I made sure I did a lot of practice. This included x2 run throughs of the concerto. Then, I managed to catch Øystein Baadsvik's tuba recital, which was simply stunning. Lastly, on day 2, we visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
TEW Day 3
Day 3 was a day like no other for a variety of reasons both good and bad. Firstly we were greeted into breakfast in our hotel by a very violent man who was being taken away by armed police.
I had my second rehearsal with the band and this felt brilliant. Completely relaxed and sounding just as I wanted. We fixed lots of little things in the rehearsal, mainly rubato and balance and I started feeling much more excited for the concert.
I watched some workshop events and attended the evening concert which featured soloists performing with the army orchestra. A highlight of that concert was a performance of D. Roggen's 'Concerto Grosso for Tuba' performed by Beth Wiese. This piece cleverly features the melody from the 'Lucerne Song' but for me this was special just because it made me think of the Grimethorpe Colliery Bands 1985 Granada Band of the Year winning performance which featured tuba player, Steve Sykes!
Also loved chatting to SFC Chris Buckley and hearing him introduce events at the workshop, such a nice bloke!
This was also a very difficult time because of the two terrible plane crashes that occurred that week, one of which in Washington DC.
TEW Day 4 (My Performance Day!)
I decided, I did not need to do any more practice until the concert that evening, so we went to explore Arlington Cemetery. What an amazing place, JFK's grave to the changing of the guard, it really was a special time spent there with my dad. Even though I probably did nothing but wind him up due to me being so excited (or nervous?) for the concert that night.
Here is a YouTube video featuring a bit of rehearsal for the concert (filmed by my dad who is notoriously bad with a camera!), there is a clip from each movement of the concerto. Watch till the end and you can hear the encore from the concert as well.
When I arrived to the concert venue, it was straight into a sound check with the band. We tweaked a few balances to suit the hall and checked some tempos, but it felt good. Now came the worst part of any performance, the waiting! Something about waiting just stresses me out and it is the time I struggle most inside my head.
Lots of top class army euphonium players were there and it started playing on my mind just how many people in the audience probably knew the concerto I was performing. How would I live up to other performances they might have heard? All these stupid thoughts flying around and I just needed to focus. After going for a walk and then sitting quietly backstage listening to the joint forces of the military tuba and euphonium ensemble, I was feeling much better. I kept thinking of one phrase...."What if you knew you couldn't fail?"
My preparation had been exquisite. Hours at home working towards this performance. Hours of time, I could have been hanging out with my wife and daughter rather than torturing them with my never ending euphonium noise! But I had to find belief in myself and trust in my prep.
By the time I was stood in the wings, waiting to walk out on stage, I was 100% focussed, I knew I could do it and believed that I deserved to be the soloist on the stage. I loved every second of the performance, I was not nervous, just felt completely at ease. I also really gave it my all, no playing safe. I was mostly happy with my performance, a couple of small inaccurate moments but no serious issues. The band and conductor were amazing.
The reaction from people backstage and audience members after was great, the performance was very well received. I even had some positive comments from the legendary Dr Brian Bowman, who the concerto was originally written for!
My favourite photo from the workshop was this one with Øystein Baadsvik. We decided to do a 'bad-ass' photo. Not sure about me, but 100% he is one 'bad-ass' musician and someone who I was honoured to meet.
The event was not live streamed but the live recording of all events from the workshop should be posted on YouTube at some point in the future. I will put a link in here.
I want to personally thank SFC Jeremy McBride for inviting me, believing in me and looking after me (and my dad) during the stay. He did a wonderful job organising the workshop.
Maybe one day in the near future, Grimethorpe Colliery can go on a tour to the USA. I know it would be a successful trip as lots of people were interested to find out about the band. For now, it's time for more practice and preparation for the Yorkshire Area Contest!
Here is a link to the news article on 4barsrest. CLICK HERE
Thanks for reading my blog. ❤
Mark Glover
5/2/25
Wow, that's quite a story. Well done. I don't know what is bigger, your self doubt or your ability. I'm sure you played really well. Thanks for sharing how to travel by air with a euphonium. I've wondered about that out of curiosity, although it's unlikely that I will fly with my instrument.