Take a look at the German TV report om the Audi Summer concert with the Audi Blasephilharmonie.

It was a TV news spot which cannot be downloaded but only streamed.

follow this:

1.   http://www.intv.de/index_2.html

2.    click on "teleschau -  Archiv"
3.    select 30.July 2008
4.    scroll down and click "Starsolist bei den Audi Sommerkonzerten"

Shortly after getting back from Japan, I flew to Germany to play a friday evening concert at one of the Audi Summer concerts held in Ingolstadt, home of the Audi company, with the Audi Wind Orchestra . It was an open air concert at Reduit Tilly, Ingolstadt, beginning 8pm  The Audi wind orchestra did a spuerb job and far exceeded my expectations. The venue was quite superb and despite a worrying weather forecast the evening before, once the concert time on frday came around the weater was just perfect, and a large audience of about 800 really enjoyed the evening. My hosits, Audi do a fabulous job with this summer concert series and must be congratulated for their high class organisation, with  every single detail taken care of.  Despite a 6.15am flight from Nuremberg the next morning (!!) I enjoyed every minute of my three days in the lovely German town of Ingolstadt. Photos to follow soon

In preparation for the concert Steve was interviewed for a German magazine. Here are the questions and answers:
1) You play Euphonium. Why do you play this instrument ?
I play the euphonium because I love it, and have done since the age of about 11.  It has a very beautiful singing sound as well as the possibility of being able to play very technical music and it has a range of nearly five octaves, more than virtually every other Brass instrument.  It expresses how I feel and communicates human warmth and emotion to audiences everywhere.  It's like a voice, but has such massive extra potential
 
2) You are one of the greated player in Europe.  Which tips can you give young music players about learning ?
Firstly you must love to play, and enjoy a practicing.  If possible find a good teacher that will motivate you further and help structure your progress in a precise way.  Every student should find opportunities to listen to great music, not just study from books.  Practice must be done regularly, every day, with great dedication and sacrifice.  Too many young people expect immediate results from things that they try and do.  Things that come easily, ultimately are not satisfying.  Playing a musical instrument is a skill for life and is a long journey for the human mind.  It is one of the most satisfying feelings in the world to play a musical instrument well and therefore learning good foundations and basic skills is so important, as it is in any art.
 
3) Do you know something about the Audi Orchestra:
Actually I know very little about the Audi orchestra, but in the time leading up to the concert I will find out a lot more and by the time our concert is finished I hope to have made new friends there and will have a very clear understanding of musically how this band functions.
 
4) Is Symphonic Brass Music popular at time ?  Your opinion ?
Brass music is popular everywhere, but the nature of it changes from country to country and with different musical traditions involved.  In the UK we have a long and proud tradition of Brass bands which is quite different from anything that you have in Germany.  You have different ensembles in your country ranging from the Blaskapelle to the large symphonic window orchestras, and you also have some excellent symphonic Brass ensembles, such as German Brass.  When played well brass instruments excite people everywhere , due to the strong direct sound and the ability of brass instruments to blend so well together.  In the band in Ingolstadt of course you also have many woodwind players, so this is really symphonic wind and music rather than symphonic brass music.  I very much enjoy a playing as a soloist with symphonic wind ensembles as the sound of the euphonium blends extremely well with woodwinds and I don't have to play as loud as I always have to do when playing with Brass bands!!
 
5) You will  play a soloconcert in Ingolstadt: Which one ?
The main piece that I will play in Ingolstadt is entitled 'Pantomime' by the English composer Philip Sparke.  This is a very popular work for euphonium and one which shows off so many of the different sounds and possibilities of this instrument.  It is about 20 years old now, but still reaches and pleases audiences everywhere.  It begins with a first section full of beautiful arching melodies, and then after a short cadenza goes into a lively dance like section, followed by the contrast in slower section, and then more faster and faster music follows until the end.  It is also demanding and challenging especially rhythmically, for the band.  I know the Ingolstadt audience will love it!  Or at least I hope they do!
 
6) What ist music for your life ?
I cannot imagine a life without music. It is my job, my hobby, my way to relax, it can be like a sporting challenge, a mental game, a memory game, a way of communicating, a way of expressing my emotions.  What other single subject can do that for a human being?