Profile Interview

Matthew Van Emmerik

Matthew Van Emmerik is a talented young Australian who has gained international acclaim as a euphonium player.

Matthew van Emmerik

Matthew Van Emmerik is currently completing a Master of Music performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on Euphonium, and is the first student to do so on this instrument.

Matthew was born in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. He began musical training at an early age with encouragement from his parents and two leading brass players in Australia, Mark Ford and Alan Davey. 

At the age of seven Matthew started playing the baritone and was very successful at State and National Solo Competitions, culminating in him becoming the Junior Baritone Champion of Australia in 1996.

Matthew moved to Melbourne in 1995 to undertake his V.C.E. (Victorian Certificate of Education) at the Victorian College of The Arts Secondary School. He studied with John Woods, Rob Sims, Geoff Coote, Roger Davies and Ken McClimont.

In 1995, while at VCASS, Matthew was encouraged to change instruments to the Euphonium, this in turn began a whirlwind musical trip, which still hasn't landed! During 1996 at the age of 17, and within a year of changing instruments, Matthew began performances with Australia's leading orchestras.

His first introduction to the professional world was with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, where he performed the tenor tuba part to Janacek's Sinfonietta. He then became a casual playing member with the State Orchestra of Victoria, again performing Janacek's Sinfonietta antiphonally based with choreographed ballet movements by the Victorian Ballet. Matthew finally performed with the "Aussie Pops Orchestra" at the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Concert Hall, performing a "Best of British" programme.

In 1997 Matthew became the State and National Junior Euphonium Champion of Australia and was awarded a VCE Excellence recipient for the top 1% of  music performance in the state of Victoria.  In this year he also gained his A.T.C.L (Associate from Trinity College London). Matthew was Principal Euphonium with the Kew Band, which won the "A Grade" title at the Australian National Championships in 1998.  The same year Matthew won a scholarship from The Queen's Trust for Young Australians to study at the Royal Northern College of Music, to study with Steven Mead, Bob Childs, Howard Snell and Jim Gourlay to name a few.

Before moving to the UK Matthew was involved in the National Academy of Music's "Brassed on Programme" under the guidance of Michael Mulcahy (trombone, Chicago Symphony Orchestra), Floyd Cooley (former principal tuba with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra), Fred Mills (Canadian Brass), Michael Thompson (International horn soloist UK) and Paul Goodchild (Sydney Symphony Orchestra).

On arriving in the UK Matthew was fortunate enough to play with the world's leading brass bands, including  Black Dyke Mills Band, Brighouse and Rastrick Band, Fodens Courtois Band, JJB Sports Leyland Band, Sellers International Band, Buy As You View Cory Band from Wales, Desford Colliery Band and the Royal Northern College of Music Brass Band.

During 1999 Matthew toured with JJB Sports Leyland Band to the USA for a series of concerts to large audiences and rave reviews for his performance of the melodic euphonium solo in Berlioz, "Le Carnival Romain". After a short time with JJB Band, Matthew moved to the world famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band and recorded various CD's with them, notably the CD "Tonight" with the Brighouse and Rastrick Band is still a very popular recording.
 
Included in Matthew's experiences is the famous performance with the Black Dyke Band on the popular television show, Ground Force.

In 2000 Matthew won a position with the Central Band of The Royal Air Force, the UK's finest military band. While in training he was awarded a bronze medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians for musical excellence, only a handful of Australians have ever received such an award.

Matthew began to build a solid reputation as a soloist and was featured during The Battle of Britain Service at Westminster Abbey in 2000 to an estimated 15 million plus, television viewers. During his time with Central Band he played in all the major concert halls and prestigious services for The Royal Family and other dignitaries, including The President of The United States.

In 2001 Matthew was accepted into the Royal College of Music, London, to undertake a Masters in Performance, the first ever full time euphonium student ever accepted into the college in their 150-year history. He transferred his master's acceptance to Australia where currently, he is undertaking his Masters in Music Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, euphonium being his performance major.

RAF Tuba quartet and big band, International Euphonium and Tuba Conference, Royal Northern College of Music, 2003.

Due to Matthew's heavy workload with the Royal Air Force Central Band, he was unable to travel home to Australasia to assist in educational and promotional recitals, until a special invitation by the Dalewool Auckland Brass Band took him to New Zealand, to perform as guest soloist. While working with the band he recorded two CD's, one of which he was a featured soloist:  "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair", which is the opening tune to his website. Matthew performed with the band at the 2001 Australian and New Zealand National Brass Band Championships in which they won the first of the two.

While in Australia and New Zealand he was able to pass on valuable knowledge to brass players young and old on performance techniques, military music, repertoire and his other passion other than music, rugby!

After a stint in the role of Principal Euphonium with the RAF Central Band and also the resident conductor with the Regent Brass Band in Wilsdon Green, London, Matthew has now moved back to his native Australia and is actively promoting the Besson range of instruments around the world.

Matthew is Principal Euphonium for Kew Band in Victoria and is completing a Master of Music Performance degree at the Sydney Conservatorium. On completion of these studies, Matthew is looking at completing a Diploma of Education at Melbourne University.

Matthew's main employment at the moment is as as Principal Euphonium with the Royal Australian Navy Band Sydney Detachment, where he undertakes the traditional requirments in the wind band and marching (parade) band, and all Navy Ceremonial activities.

One of Matthew's key aims as a euphonium player is to extend the repertoire of the euphonium and help its cause to be taken seriously as a solo instrument in a number of different ensembles, including the orchestra.

Some short-term goals include: representing Victoria and Kew Band at the highest level at the Ern Keller and to have further success at important and serious solo and ensemble competitions; helping to build and nurture the next generation of Euphonium and Brass students; and to push for positions in University institutions for band musicians so they are able to learn and work with a large number of diverse musicians and teachers.

Matthew's other interests outside Banding include playing golf, following the ACT Brumbies, and enjoying a good movie at the cinema, and enjoying the beach and the night life at the Rocks, Sydney Harbour.

"Big thankyou's have to go to the support and friendship I received overseas, in particular from Bob Childs, Steven Mead and Howard Snell, who took me under their wing and were always there to talk and confer with. The wonderful team at Besson, which include Alun Hughes, John Rogers and Jan Osman in Watford must get a huge mention as they are a major force in producing the finest of all band and orchestral instruments, and it is an absolute honour to perform and promote their world class product. Thanks also to the lads and ladies in the RAF Central Band, a great bunch of guys who I wish all the best!!

The early years were the makings of my career and special mention must go to Mark Ford and Alan Davey who where very influential in the formative years. It's probably a wonder that I am where I am today as Mark used to fall asleep in my lessons!! Not a contest or concert goes by without a quick mention of this! Mark is also directing a number of world class performers in Kew Band, and the band looks forward to reaching the heights of banding in this country and abroad."

Matthew will be giving the world premier of the Barry Mckimm Euphonium Concerto which was written for him in 1999.  He will be playing this concerto alongside the Philip Wilby concerto during his 50 minute second semester recital at the Sydney Conservatorium.  It is anticipated that Barry will be in attendance as over the years he has been a strong supportor of Matthew and the brass and wind band movement.

Matthew intends to spend more time playing in the UK next year.

Matthew van Emmerick has his own website: www.matthewvanemmerik.com
Other sites of interest: www.kewband.org.au and www.besson.com

Well done Matthew, and good luck with the World Premiere of the Euphonium Concerto.