New Principal Euphonium for Hammonds
The Hammonds Band is delighted to announce Steven Walsh has become our new principal euphonium. Steven is no stranger the band, having played alongside MD Morgan Griffiths when the band was known as Yorkshire Building Society Band.
Steven began to play the euphonium with Linthwaite Band at the age of ten. In 1994 he began lessons at Huddersfield Music College with the euphonium legend (and former Hammonds conductor) Geoffrey Whitham. Very soon Steven’s talents were recognised when he became the principal euphonium of the Hepworth band at the age of 16, as well as making regular appearances with the James Shepherd Versatile Brass. At 18 Steven was asked to join the Leyland band, under the charismatic direction of Richard Evans.
Steven has been principal euphonium in some of England’s top brass bands but regards his years with the Yorkshire Building Society Brass Band under his mentor, Professor David King, as his most successful. Recording numerous award winning CDs, winning the All England Masters, the British Open and representing England in the European Championships on 3 occasions. He also performed in the Sydney Opera House as part of the YBS ‘Kings of Brass’ Tour in 2005.
In 2006 Steven completed his Masters in Musical Performance at Salford University and in 2007 he was awarded the best euphonium and overall brass winner of the European Solo Championships. In 2009 Steven was awarded the ‘Best Soloist’ prize at the British Open Championships and also the Geoff Whitham ‘Best Euphonium’ prize in 2017. He then went on to win the Yorkshire Area in 2010 and 2011 with Brighouse & Rastrick, being named ‘Best Instrumentalist’, as well as winning the National Championships in the same years. Since then Steven has held the position of principal euphonium with the Leyland and Fairey Bands.
Steven said on rejoining “It is a great pleasure to accept the position of principal euphonium with the Hammonds Band. I have fond memories of being a member of the band under the guise of YBS. I hold Morgan Griffiths in the highest regard. He has always been my inspiration as a euphonium soloist and it’s great to team up with him and the band once more. “
Morgan Griffiths said “it is wonderful to welcome Steven back to the band. He is one of the finest euphonium players around at the moment. He brings a wealth of experience and quality to an already very strong section. We can’t wait to get back in the bandroom and hear him.”
We would like thank Ashley Higgins, who moves to 2nd euphonium due to increased work commitments, and Steve Gordon who steps down due to increased travelling commitments. We wish Steve good luck in the future.