David Childs

The grandson and son of well-respected euphonium players from the Welsh Valleys, and himself 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, touring extensively throughout Asia, continental Europe, and North America, and recording actively for radio, television, and CD.

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 and many of the finest brass bands and military bands in both the UK and the United States. He has made solo appearances at the Singapore International Festival, Harrogate International Festival, Cheltenham Festival, Melbourne International Festival, BBC Proms and New York Festival, 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 premiered fifteen concertos for euphonium including a Royal Albert Hall BBC Proms broadcast of Alun Hoddinott’s, Sunne Rising - The King Will Ride, a Carnegie Hall U.S. premiere 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 premiere 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: Arts Council Wales Creative Wales Award; Worshipful Company of Musicians Silver Medal Award; Welsh Music Guild’s Leo Abse & Cohen Award; Harry Mortimer Trust Award; RNCM Principal’s Gold Medal Award; Making Music’s Dorothy Green Award; Musicians Benevolent's Sir Charles Leggett Award; Countess of Munster Star Award, and many more. He has also received several accolades as a recording artist, including an ITEA Roger Bobo Excellence in Recording Award, and can be heard on several labels including EMI, Deutsche Gramophone, Chandos, Doyen and World of Sound.

A proud product of the British brass band tradition, Childs is a former member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, National Youth Brass Band of Wales, Brighouse and Rastrick, and the No.1 ranked band in the World - Cory - with whom he was principal euphonium for ten years winning countless titles under the baton of his father, Robert Childs.

In 2018 David Childs was appointed professor of euphonium at the University of North Texas and continues to enjoy an association with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama as an Honorary Associate and International Visiting Tutor. He is a founding member of Eminence Brass, artistic director of Cardiff Symphonic Winds, principal conductor of Dallas Brass Band and editor of the Brass Band World Magazine. As a Buffet Crampon Besson Artist he continues to showcase the euphonium as a serious solo vehicle within the world of classical music, leading the way for euphonium players worldwide. In 2021 he earned his DMA from the University of Salford in Manchester, England. For further information visit, www.davechilds.com