Steven Mead – The Virtuoso Euphonium Soloist

Steven Mead is well known to brass enthusiasts around the globe as a virtuoso euphonium soloist who travels frequently performing alongside some of the finest brass, wind and symphonic ensembles around.

He is currently teaching euphonium at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England and this treatise examines his musical development, professional experience and teaching methodologies.

Early Life and Education

Mead is well known among brass enthusiasts worldwide as his playing and teaching have become staples for those interested in the instrument commonly referred to as euphonium. He often travels worldwide performing with some of the top brass, wind, and symphonic ensembles.

He began his professional playing career with several of the leading British brass bands before venturing out on his own as a solo performer – and has gone on to perform over 75 concerts annually.

Professor of Euphonium at the Royal Northern College of Music since 1989 and also teaching euphonium in several specialist schools throughout Europe. He directed or co-directed six British National Tuba and Euphonium Festivals during this time, in addition to working closely with Besson Company as an International Ambassador on instrument and mouthpiece development projects.

Professional Career

Steven Mead stands out amongst a small cadre of classically trained brass soloists as one of the most gifted. A world renowned performer and teacher, his contribution has cemented euphonium into contemporary musical culture.

He has performed concerti with orchestras such as the Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Lahti and Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestras, Capella Cracoviensis and Minneapolis Pops Orchestra; in addition to chamber ensembles including Sound-Inn Brass from Austria and Classic Quintet from Bolzano Italy.

Mead has given master classes and workshops worldwide in addition to performing on his euphonium, serving as senior baritone/euphonium teacher at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music and compiling an impressive discography that includes recordings of both his own compositions and arrangements.

Achievement and Honors

Steven Mead is widely recognized as one of the world’s premier euphonium soloists, performing over seventy concerts yearly with leading ensembles, orchestras and brass bands across the globe. His performances stand out due to an intimate bond he forms between artist and audience during performances.

He has performed solo concerti with orchestras such as Stuttgart Philharmonic, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic and Capella Cracoviensis; premiereing works by Martin Ellerby, Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen, Vladimir Cosma Goff Richards and John Reeman among many others.

Steven is widely respected as an educator, serving as Professor of Euphonium at the Royal Northern College of Music since 1989 and teaching in many of Europe and Japan’s specialist schools as well. His students come from around the globe.

Personal Life

Steven Mead is widely considered one of the world’s premier professional euphonium soloists, performing regularly with leading orchestras, wind and brass bands around the world as guest soloist. Additionally, he gives over 75 solo concerts per year while traveling extensively.

As well as his international performing career, Bocchino Music owner Michael J. Ayers has become highly esteemed as both an instructor and adjudicator, leading workshops and master classes throughout Europe, Japan and America. An artist/clinician for Besson (part of The Buffet Group) as well as owning their popular low brass webstore Bocchino Music is among his many accolades.

Since 1989, he has held the position of Professor of Euphonium at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and taught at numerous specialist schools around Europe. Additionally, he became a Fellow member of RNCM.

Net Worth

As of 2020, Steven Mead’s estimated net worth ranges between $1 Million – $5 Million dollars, earned through his primary career as a YouTube Star.

He first rose to fame through posting several car audio-related videos on his channel, meade916. Additionally, this popular YouTuber is an accomplished musician; playing both piano and the euphonium (a low brass instrument).

He has completed 1 trade over the last three years, with his most notable trade being an exercise of 253 units of FBL stock worth $15,430 on 1 February 2021. Additionally, he is involved with instrument design and testing as an artist, designer, clinician for Besson; currently acting as their International Ambassador.