David Childs
Described by The Observer as ‘a great ambassador for the euphonium, possessing an astonishing technique and an engaging stage presence’, David Childs is regarded as one of the finest brass musicians of his generation.
He has appeared as soloist with the BBC, Manchester and RTÉ Concert orchestras, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonie Baden-Baden, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sinfonia Cymru, Welsh National Opera, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina and many of the finest brass bands and military bands in both the UK and USA. He has given solo recitals at the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room and Bridgewater Hall, and performed concertos at the Concertgebouw, Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Symphony Hall, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall New York.
A keen advocate of new music, Childs has premièred sixteen concertos for euphonium including a Royal Albert Hall BBC Proms broadcast of Alun Hoddinott’s, Sunne Rising – The King Will Ride, a Carnegie Hall US première of Sir Karl Jenkins’ Concerto for Euphonium & Orchestra, a UK premiere of Christian Lindberg’s Concerto for Euphonium & Orchestra directed by the composer and a Welsh Proms world première of Paul Mealor’s Concerto for Euphonium & Orchestra.
During his career as a euphonium soloist, Childs has received many awards in recognition of his achievements, including the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ prestigious John Henry Iles Award in 2024. He has also received multiple accolades as a recording artist and can be heard on several labels including EMI, Deutsche Gramophone, Chandos, Naxos and Doyen.
Childs is currently Distinguished Research Professor of Euphonium at the University of North Texas and holds positions as Visiting Professor at Tokyo’s Senzoku College of Music and International Visiting Tutor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where he was made a fellow in 2024. He is a founding member of Eminence Brass chamber ensemble and as a Buffet Crampon Besson Artist he continues to showcase the euphonium as a serious solo voice within the world of classical music.