The euphonium is relatively young instrument, especially in comparison to the extensive history and repertoire of the trumpet and horn. Despite its relative youth, the euphonium has developed a rich history of its own in numerous musical ensembles. The dark and distinctive tone of the euphonium, as well as its large range and facility makes it an extremely versatile instrument capable of adeptly performing in numerous genres and styles. However, the euphonium was not always as prominent in band and solo literature as it is in present times. Predecessors to the euphonium, like the Serpent and Ophicleide, paved the way for the euphonium’s prestigious rise, which culminated in the 1970s and continues to grow rapidly even today. Nearly two and…show more content… A fourth valve was soon added to the original three valved instrument to extend the range of the instrument, improve intonation, and to facilitate technical passages (Vining). The fourth valve can be found adjacent to the third valve or about halfway down the horn to be played with the left hand. In 1874, David Blaikley developed the “compensating system” and introduced it to the euphonium. The compensating system is operated through the fourth valve and thus continues to improve the aforementioned items, but, because the system adds additional tubing length when the fourth valve is depressed, intonation is further improved (Funderburk). The final major permanent change to the euphonium was the increase in bore size. Alfred Phasey expanded the bore size of a saxhorn tenor in 1859 and again in 1870 (“History of the ‘Tone”) and gave the instrument the name “euphonium” (Vining). For this reason, many consider Phasey to be the creator of the modern Euphonium (Vining). Variants on the euphonium that did not stick include the Phonikon, a Euphonium with a bulbous bell like an English horn, Heinrich J. Hasenier’s “Euphoniums”, which were essentially just ten-keyed, chromatic bass horns, and the double-belled euphonium developed by Conn (“History of the ‘Tone”). The Euphonium has essentially remained unchanged since the…show more content… Baritones taken out of wind bands
• 1927 - Shostakovich includes a difficult euphonium solo in his music for the ballet "The Golden Age"
• Early 1950s - The English are the first to perform in ensembles of low brass instruments
• 1970s - Tuba/euphonium Renaissance
• 1973 - The development of Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association is credited for the achievements of the tuba and the euphonium: better instruments, quality music written by composers sympathetic to the tuba and euphonium, better teachers, and better