About Ueli Kipfer and his activities

Euphonium solist

Ueli Kipfer, born 30 December 1974, grew up in Emmental, Switzerland where, as a young child, he was fascinated with music. He accompanied his father to the concerts of the Brass Band Posaunenchor Langnau and was so impressed by the euphonium that he decided to learn to play this instrument. At the age of twelve, he started to take lessons with Hans Baumgartner, now a professional colleague. Ueli played in the cadet music Langnau, constantly developing his talent, and had his first success when he was 15 years old. After a short agricultural apprenticeship and military school (as a musician), he studied euphonium at the conservatory in Berne under James Gourlay until 1998. In June 2001 he was awarded the "Superior Certificate of Studies" with honours.

At the "Institute Superiore Bandistico in Trento" (Italy), he took several solo euphonium special courses under the well-known euphonium soloist Steven Mead. Ueli won several first prizes at competitions, the most important was the first prize for Euphonium at the European Brass Solo Championships in Montreux (2001).

Today, Ueli Kipfer performs regularly in Switzerland and other countries. In addition to solo-recitals with piano, Ueli often performs as guest solist with Symphonic Wind Orchestras, Brass Bands and chamber orchestras or at festivals.

Conductor

At the tender age of seventeen Ueli Kipfer became conductor of the Posaunenchor Langnau (Brass Band), when the former conductor resigned. The young man apparently had talent and he enjoyed conducting. Ueli trained later: At first he took private lessons in orchestra conducting by Christian Henking in Berne and then he studied and completed (1999) wind band conducting with Hans Peter Blaser at the conservatory in Berne.

From 1992 until 2000 Ueli Kipfer conducted the Allianz Posaunenchor Langnau (Brass Band) and is co-founder of the supraregional Brass Band EBB (Evang. Brass Band Bern). From 2000 until 2004, Ueli Kipfer worked as conductor of the "Musikgesellschaft Oensingen" (wind orchestra in the first class) and of the "Jugendspiel Oensingen" (youth wind orchestra). From 2004 until 2010, he was conductor of the Musikgesellschaft Allmendingen/Thun (wind orchestra), co-conductor of the Oberaargauer Brass Band OBB A-Band (until 2007). And last but not least of the Brass Band Dagmersellen in 2008 and the Musikgesellschaft Konkordia Reinach in 2011.

Teacher

As conductor of the Posaunenchor Langnau (Brass Band), Ueli taught the band's own young musicians. After finishing his studies at the conservatory in Berne (see curriculum vitae), Ueli Kipfer was engaged by three music schools as a teacher for euphonium, tenor horn (althorn) and tuba. Ueli is motivated to pass on his know-how to his students. One aim of his work is to familiarize the general public with the more recently established euphonium and to motivate more youngsters to learn this less unknown, but very fascinating and, in wind music, important instrument.

Activities as teacher:

Official performer of Willson Euphoniums

Since January 2004 Ueli Kipfer has been an offical artist of Willson Band Instruments (Switzerland). Willson instruments are worldwide known as top quality products. State-of-the-art technical facilities will combined with skilled craftsmanship to guarantee highest standards of quality. Willson instruments are no mass-production items. He play the Willson 2960TA Celebration Euphonium or the 2900TA Euphonium

www.willson.ch

Adjudicator

Several engagements as adjudicator at solo- and ensemblecompetitions.