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LONG BEACH JUNIOR CONCERT BAND
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The Cervený CEP-741-5MRX 5-valve rotary Bb "Kaiser" oval Euphonium in red brass. |
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"Lucy" |
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Euphonium Links |
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The Serpent Website |
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The Evolution of a Euphonium Player |
Cervený's rotary valves, in this horn's case crafted of nickel silver with minibal action, are extraordinary. |
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Despite a strange anthropological find in Europe (above), Euphoniumists did not evolve from a common ape ancestor (although observed behavior may appear to support such a theory). We were created in God's image; but I do feel I'm evolving as a musician. The urge came on me suddenly - the urge to join an orchestra, after years with no contact with low brass instruments. What caused this urge? The fact that I was welcomed into the First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton Orchestra gave me a clue. I do believe I've been called by the Lord to contribute in some small way to the music ministry of EV Free. I've spent many months attempting to discover the euphonium. Although my instrument for most of my years of playing was the tuba, the orchestra's need was for a euphonium. I've have only recently played a euphonium for the first time, having cut my teeth on an Olds Bb baritone horn while attending the very new Cypress Junior College in Cypress, CA in 1966-68. I branched off into BBb tuba, playing a wonderfully compact Miraphone horn, and discovering the joys of rotary valves. I then spent three years in the Long Beach Junior Concert Band, the last year as bass section leader.After leaving the LBJCB to get married, I lost contact with low brass (the cost of a good horn probably an important determining factor). It was only when I somehow was invited to play Sousaphone with my high school's alumni band at a 1995 Homecoming game (remarkable in that I hadn't been a member of my high school band) that I rekindled my love for low brass. It was only a matter of time until I had to play. |
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Ophicleide |
Wagner Tuba |
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Baritone Horn |
Double-Bell Euphonium |
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I had been using a rented Olds 4-valve euphonium (formerly belonging to UCLA) to relearn the euphonium. On August 8th, 2000 I accepted delivery of the Cervený Kaiser euphonium pictured above. This is a European-style oval horn (almost a mirror image of a Wagner Tuba), with five rotary valves, but no compensation. It is a hard choice to order a horn from the other side of the world (the Czech Republic), but this horn, both beautiful, and with excellent playing characteristics, simply called to me.For my impressions of this wonderful horn, please click on the button below: After only a half-hour of playing, I could say that it was worth the wait, and I was very pleased with the quality. I've had direct contact with AMATI-Denak's Czech Republic factory representatives, and George Seger, president of AMATI, U.S.A. (AMATI-Denak's US distributor) . They have all given me excellent response, and information. Thank you, Cervený.  Ken Hecker |
Our family seems to be collecting instruments quickly. We started with a student trumpet for our daughter, then a Bach Flueglehorn as a second horn, then a pocket trumpet for some fun. Now a junior in high school, Danielle has switched to tenor sax - thus a professional tenor.
For me it was the euphonium, then my wife Elaine rekindled her love of the oboe, as she joined me in the church orchestra. And now a bass trombone for me, and at long last a real, live piano.
The newest members of our family...c'est Français
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Selmer (Paris) Model 64 tenor saxophone |
Rigoutat "Expression" oboe Full Conservatory |
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.. .c'est Elkhorn, WI ...c'est South Korea
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Getzen Model 3062-AF bass trombone Bb\F\Gb\D, open wrap Thayer Axial Flow valves X2 9 1/2" bell - yellow brass |
Kohler & Campbell Millenium console Model KMV-47F Manufactured by Samick |
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