| Brian Bowman | |
|---|---|
Dr. Brian L. Bowman |
|
| Background information | |
| Born | 1946 |
| Genres | Concert Band |
| Occupations | Performer and teacher |
| Instruments | Euphonium |
| Years active | 1970-present |
| Website | http http://music.unt.edu/faculty-and-staff/detail/10 |
Brian Bowman is a euphonium professor, performer and recording artist notable for having sat lead euphonium in the premier bands of both the United States Navy and the United States Air Force as well as having performed the first euphonium recital at Carnegie Hall.
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Brian Bowman was born in 1946.[1] The son of a music teacher, Brian Bowman learned to play with the guidance of his father in the elder Bowman’s grade school band.[2] He received his college instruction at the University of Michigan School of Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[1]
Bowman served as a member of three United States military bands, two of which were premier ensembles for their respective services. Bowman served as solo euphonium in the United States Navy Band from 1970 to 1974. This was followed by a two-year period serving with a joint ensemble, the United States Armed Forces Bicentennial Band. He completed his career with the United States Air Force Band, serving from 1976 to 1991.[1]
Brian Bowman has achieved several notable firsts in his performing career. Among these are being the first to perform a recital on euphonium in New York’s famed Carnegie Hall auditorium.[3] He also was the first guest euphonium artist at the Leonard Falcone International Tuba and Euphonium Festival at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan.[4]
Brian Bowman has recorded dozens of ensemble performances in addition to six solo albums on euphonium.[4] He has recorded many new works for euphonium, many of which were written specifically for the instrument. One of the albums, reviewed in The New Records in 1979 was described as containing all music that seemed to "exist just to have something for the euphonium to play". While going on to describe Bowman as "a master of his instrument", the review of the compositions was not favorable.[5]
Brian Bowman broke new ground in the American understanding of the euphonium and has been called "The most famous euphonium soloist in the world today".[6] He became known for a "warm, velvet tone" [4] and promoted a style of playing described as "traditional vibrato...balanced by..clean and impressive technique, from-the-heart expressiveness, and a sense of calm assurance".[6] He advanced this new image of the instrument not only through his performances of new literature, premiering 4 of the 7 such works commissioned by the former Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association (TUBA) now known as the International Tuba Euphonium Association, but also by serving as its president, being the first euphonium player to do so.[4]
Bowman has been involved in the evolution of the instrument itself. He has served as a consultant to the Willson Musical Instrument Company during the design of their euphoniums. Additionally, he has been instrumental in DEG Music Products releasing a line of mouthpieces bearing Bowman’s name.[4]
Brian Bowman is presently Professor of Euphonium at the University of North Texas. He has previously served on the faculty of eight other universities. He continues to perform as a member of several ensembles and serves as a guest instructor and clinician frequently.[4]