Euphoniums

Principal Euphonium – Ellie Carlsen

Born in Swansea, Ellie started her musical journey on the cornet at age 7, later moving onto the Euphonium. As a Euphonium player, Ellie joined Penclawdd Junior band and her love for the instrument and music began.

As well as being a dedicated member of Penclawdd brass band, Ellie held the Principal Euphonium seat with the West Glamorgan County Brass Band, where she had the opportunity to perform at the Birmingham Symphony Hall and tour Lake Garda in Italy. Ellie has also been an active member of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales since 2017 and has been fortunate enough to hold the principal Euphonium seat on the Six Counties Brass Band course.

Under the teaching of both Simon Howell and Tony Small, Ellie accepted the offer to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and began her studies in September 2020, where she is now tutored by Robert Childs. Ellie looks forward to joining Llwydcoed on solo Euphonium, having the opportunity to play amongst talented musicians and taking the next big step in her musical journey.

2nd Euphonium – Michael Altree

Originally hailing from Ebbw Vale in the Welsh Valleys near Cardiff, Mike commenced his musical training at the age of eight studying the Piano. Two years later he began playing the Euphonium. His Brass Band career started with the Tredegar junior band progressing quickly to the ranks of the Tredegar Town Band, during his time at Tredegar Mike played at all major Brass band events around the UK and Europe.

In 1995 Mike auditioned and was accepted as part of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and joined the ranks of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain a year later.

Mike began his interest in Military music whilst a member of the Powys Army Cadet Force Band. In late 1997, Mike joined the British Army and undertook his initial training at the Army training regiment in Winchester. His musical training then continued at the Royal Military School of Music (Kneller Hall). On completion of his training Mike was posted to the Band of the Prince of Wales Division where he spent the next 18 months learning his trade as a Military Musician.

In April 2000 Mike auditioned and was accepted into the Band of the Grenadier Guards and quickly became a well-respected member of the band. In 2003 Mike represented the Corps of Army Music at the International Tuba and Euphonium conference in Washington DC, having the privilege of performing with the Pershings Own band.

During his time with the Grenadier Guards Band Mike has toured extensively with the band visiting Europe, Canada, North America and Australia. Mike featured on many high-profile events and recordings with the band and featured as a soloist on two of the band’s albums.

In 2007 Mike completed LRSM in performance and followed this by undertaking a Master of Arts degree in performance with the University of Salford in 2009.

Whilst serving in the British Army Mike has continued playing with many Brass Bands up and down the country most notably the Brighouse and Rastrick Band.

In 2017 Mike left the British Army at the rank of Colour Sergeant to undertake a post as Euphonium tutor with the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces school of music in Dubai. Mike felt having this opportunity to work in such a diverse and culturally different environment was something he could not refuse and would only benefit from. Sadly, this was cut short due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The obvious choice for Mike was to re-join the British Army again as a musician and carry on his passion of playing the Euphonium. Mike is currently serving with the Prince of Wales Division band based in Brecon South Wales.

During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Kierra and son Rhys, whilst also finding time to undertake his hobbies of Alpine skiing and sailing.