Euphonium Study at The Hartt School

The euphonium is a highly specialized instrument. While performance opportunities are somewhat limited when compared to the rest of the brass instruments, possibilities do exist, and I am making a living as a performing euphonium player.

Working together, we will establish your course of study based upon your goals. You will record each lesson via your personal laptop computer, transcribe the video into your lesson notebook, and discuss with me what you have evaluated during your following lesson. I truly believe that seeing and hearing the recording of your lesson, writing about your evaluation of the recording, and conversing about the aforementioned evaluation, will yield unparalleled insight towards your goals.

Emphasis is placed upon performance, and self-evaluation through teaching of self. You will be provided with the necessary skills and performance tools needed for success. You will be able to understand various concepts and clearly articulate all aspects of your musical decisions through sound, words, and physical movement.
The former is achieved through solo performance, small chamber ensemble, master class/repertoire class, mock auditions, and euphonium tuba consortium. Through performance, students will gain the highest possible knowledge of the versatile roles and unlimited possibilities of the euphonium.

The latter is achieved through weekly lessons that focus on proper use of airflow, establishment and development of your sound concept, and expansion of musical development through solos, etudes, technical studies, excerpts, exercises, assigned readings, and scales.

The Hartt Euphonium Program philosophy is simple: compete with yourself and cooperate with others. This philosophy allows you, the student, to reach your full potential based upon your own goals, not someone else's. It also affords you and your peers the opportunity to view each other as positive influences through active communication about, collaboration through, and sharing of music. YOU ALWAYS WIN!!

James Jackson