Auld Lang Syne Variations, Simone Mantia
Arranged for Brass Band, Keith M. Wilkinson
Aaron VanderWeele, Euphonium
Princeton Brass Band, Dr. Stephen Arthur Allen
Location: Alexander Hall, Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University
www.euphoniumlessons.com

Simone Mantia (1873 -- 1951) was an American baritone horn/euphonium virtuoso and also trombone artist at the turn of the twentieth century. He was both a performer and administrator with many American band and orchestral ensembles. On baritone/euphonium he is often cited as the master of the instrument in his time.

In 1895, he replaced Josef Michele Rafayollo, with whom he had been studying, as soloist with the Sousa Band. This was the first nationally known ensemble he performed with, and one of only two in which he played euphonium primarily. As a trombonist, he later took jobs with other nationally ranked ensembles including New York's Metropolitan Opera, which he joined in 1908 and remained involved with for 37 years. He also played trombone with The New York Philharmonic, The NBC Symphony, The Chicago Lyric Opera, The Philadelphia Grand Opera, Victor Herbert's Orchestra, and the Arthur Pryor Band in which he primarily served as baritone/euphonium soloist and assistant director (often referred to as Pryor's "second in command").

Simone Mantia was the first master of the euphonium to work in the era of recorded sound. As a result, he left a legacy of recordings that have been reproduced into the twenty-first century. He recorded as euphonium soloist on several Sousa and Pryor band recordings. He also soloed with the NBC Symphony on recordings as a trombonist. He recorded primarily on the Edison Records and Victor Talking Machine labels.

In addition to performing and managing, Mantia also composed and arranged. His solos include "The Southerner", "Priscilla", "Fantaisie Original", "Auld Lang Syne" and the oft-parodied by Loony Tunes "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms".

This performance of his "Auld Lang Syne Variations" was given by Aaron VanderWeele (Euphonium Faculty, Rutgers University and New Jersey City University) and the Princeton Brass Band - 2013 NABBA Champion Band - during the band's 2013 Holiday Concert at Princeton University.

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