Alfred James Phasey
Encyclopedia
Alfred James Phasey was a British bandsman and tenor brass artist in the mid-nineteenth century. As a euphonium
player, he was cited as the master of the instrument in his time.
on the 19th of February 1834 based on the records of the Royal Military Academy at Chelsea
. He was the son of Pte. Thomas Phasey of the Grenadier Guards
1st Foot Guards.
On September 12th 1839, at the age of 5 years 7 months, he was enrolled in the Duke of York’s Royal Military Academy at Chelsea. This was an early age for enrollment in this boarding school and in his biography of Phasey, John Roberts speculates that this might have been due to the death of his mother with his father being unable, due to commitments to the service, to raise him alone. He would remain at the RMA beyond his 14th year, the customary age at which students then enlisted in the service, not leaving until February 12th, 1849, when he enlisted in the band of the Coldstream Guards
. He would play Ophicleide
and trombone
before baritone
and eventually euphonium
under bandmaster Charles Godfrey.
In 1853, as the baritone/euphonium voice became accepted in military and popular bands for the first time, Cadwallader Thomas became bandmaster of the Coldstream Guards. Phasey, in addition to finding a new instrument to play, euphonium, found a wife in Miss Elizabeth Hall. She was the daughter of John and niece of T.Hall, a watchmaker who had become the town band leader in her hometown of Banbury
. She was two years his senior when they married in 1854.
They had 3 sons. The oldest, Alfred Jr., played euphonium with the Gilmore Band in the United States and ultimately assumed his father’s many musical responsibilities upon the elder Phasey’s death. Son Handel Phasey was also a euphonium player.
In 1859 or 60, Alfred Phasey joined the faculty of the new Kneller Hall
school, but was forced by his many other commitments to relinquish that post after only a few years. As a soloist, bandmaster and performer, he was very active in the London
music scene and well known.
In 1887, Elizabeth Phasey died. Alfred began relinquishing assignments due to poor health in 1888 and died at Chester
on August 18th, 1888.
made by the Antoine Courtois
company. He modified the horn and ultimately devised a way of enlarging the bore while not compromising the pitch. This conical expansion of the baritone saxhorn, a cylindrical bugle
or post-horn type bore, is the defining element that separates a true euphonium from a baritone horn.
Orchestra, on multiple instruments, from 1862 until 1888 and as a guest member of the private band of her majesty Queen Victoria. He performed as solo euphonium with the Blues and the Royals. As a touring virtuoso, he was a part of the “Courtois Union” for many years, playing on and promoting the company’s instruments.
As a soloist, he was regarded by musical celebrities of his day such as Giuseppe Verdi
as without equal on the euphonium.
Alfred Phasey also was employed as a bandmaster. He served in that role with the St George’s 6th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers Band from 1868 to 1872. The Crystal Palace Company employed him to lead Phasey’s Band, a popular music group, from 1879 until 1882, at which point they returned to financing strictly military bands. He served as the bandmaster of the Earle of Chester’s Yeomanty Cavalry band from 1873 to 1888.
His written works included the 1860 Fantasia on Verdi's opera Attila, for Euphonium or Ophicleide and Pianoforte, the 1858 Instruction Book for Euphonium, and the 1858 Popular Instruction Book for Trombine.
Euphonium
The euphonium is a conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument. It derives its name from the Greek word euphonos, meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced"...
player, he was cited as the master of the instrument in his time.
Life
Alfred J. Phasey was born in PimlicoPimlico
Pimlico is a small area of central London in the City of Westminster. Like Belgravia, to which it was built as a southern extension, Pimlico is known for its grand garden squares and impressive Regency architecture....
on the 19th of February 1834 based on the records of the Royal Military Academy at Chelsea
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
. He was the son of Pte. Thomas Phasey of the Grenadier Guards
Grenadier Guards
The Grenadier Guards is an infantry regiment of the British Army. It is the most senior regiment of the Guards Division and, as such, is the most senior regiment of infantry. It is not, however, the most senior regiment of the Army, this position being attributed to the Life Guards...
1st Foot Guards.
On September 12th 1839, at the age of 5 years 7 months, he was enrolled in the Duke of York’s Royal Military Academy at Chelsea. This was an early age for enrollment in this boarding school and in his biography of Phasey, John Roberts speculates that this might have been due to the death of his mother with his father being unable, due to commitments to the service, to raise him alone. He would remain at the RMA beyond his 14th year, the customary age at which students then enlisted in the service, not leaving until February 12th, 1849, when he enlisted in the band of the Coldstream Guards
Coldstream Guards
Her Majesty's Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, also known officially as the Coldstream Guards , is a regiment of the British Army, part of the Guards Division or Household Division....
. He would play Ophicleide
Ophicleide
The ophicleide is a family of conical bore, brass keyed-bugles. It has a similar shape to the sudrophone.- History :The ophicleide was invented in 1817 and patented in 1821 by French instrument maker Jean Hilaire Asté as an extension to the keyed bugle or Royal Kent bugle family...
and trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
before baritone
Baritone horn
The baritone horn is a member of the brass instrument family. The baritone horn has a predominantly cylindrical bore as do the trumpet and trombone. A baritone horn uses a large mouthpiece much like those of a trombone or euphonium, although it is a bit smaller. Some baritone mouthpieces will sink...
and eventually euphonium
Euphonium
The euphonium is a conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument. It derives its name from the Greek word euphonos, meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced"...
under bandmaster Charles Godfrey.
In 1853, as the baritone/euphonium voice became accepted in military and popular bands for the first time, Cadwallader Thomas became bandmaster of the Coldstream Guards. Phasey, in addition to finding a new instrument to play, euphonium, found a wife in Miss Elizabeth Hall. She was the daughter of John and niece of T.Hall, a watchmaker who had become the town band leader in her hometown of Banbury
Banbury (UK Parliament constituency)
Banbury is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is a strongly Conservative seat.The constituency was created January 26, 1554 through the efforts of Henry Stafford and Thomas Denton...
. She was two years his senior when they married in 1854.
They had 3 sons. The oldest, Alfred Jr., played euphonium with the Gilmore Band in the United States and ultimately assumed his father’s many musical responsibilities upon the elder Phasey’s death. Son Handel Phasey was also a euphonium player.
In 1859 or 60, Alfred Phasey joined the faculty of the new Kneller Hall
Kneller Hall
Kneller Hall is a stately home in the Twickenham area of west London, and takes its name from Sir Godfrey Kneller, court painter to British monarchs from Charles II to George I...
school, but was forced by his many other commitments to relinquish that post after only a few years. As a soloist, bandmaster and performer, he was very active in the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
music scene and well known.
In 1887, Elizabeth Phasey died. Alfred began relinquishing assignments due to poor health in 1888 and died at Chester
Chester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
on August 18th, 1888.
The Euphonium
In eulogizing Alfred Phasey, The British Bandsman credited him with not-only the defining architectural modification to make the euphonium distinct from other tenor horns, but with choosing its name. As the tale set forth occurs in 1857/8, after the word had already been in use, this is open to some question. What is known is that after visiting the Paris exposition of 1857, Phasey began playing a baritone saxhornSaxhorn
The saxhorn is a valved brass instrument with a conical bore and deep cup-shaped mouthpiece. The sound has a characteristic mellow quality, and blends well with other brass.-The saxhorn family:...
made by the Antoine Courtois
Antoine Courtois
The Antoine Courtois company was founded in Paris in 1789. The company's current name comes from the name of one of the founder's children who created the brand name in 1803. The company has been a leading manufacturer of brass instruments ever since, particularly saxophone, trumpet, cornet,...
company. He modified the horn and ultimately devised a way of enlarging the bore while not compromising the pitch. This conical expansion of the baritone saxhorn, a cylindrical bugle
Bugle
Bugle is a brass musical instrument.Bugle may also refer to:* Contrabass bugle, lowest-pitched instrument in the drum and bugle corps hornline* Bugle , common names of flowering plant genus Ajuga...
or post-horn type bore, is the defining element that separates a true euphonium from a baritone horn.
Career
Alfred Phasey began his musical career in the Band of the Coldstream Guards. While there, he became an accomplished euphonium artist and wrote an instructional method for the instrument. He also wrote one for trombone. Other groups with which he performed included the Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace, London
Crystal Palace is a residential area in south London, England named from the former local landmark, The Crystal Palace, which occupied the area from 1854 to 1936. The area is located approximately 8 miles south east of Charing Cross, and offers impressive views over the capital...
Orchestra, on multiple instruments, from 1862 until 1888 and as a guest member of the private band of her majesty Queen Victoria. He performed as solo euphonium with the Blues and the Royals. As a touring virtuoso, he was a part of the “Courtois Union” for many years, playing on and promoting the company’s instruments.
As a soloist, he was regarded by musical celebrities of his day such as Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century...
as without equal on the euphonium.
Alfred Phasey also was employed as a bandmaster. He served in that role with the St George’s 6th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers Band from 1868 to 1872. The Crystal Palace Company employed him to lead Phasey’s Band, a popular music group, from 1879 until 1882, at which point they returned to financing strictly military bands. He served as the bandmaster of the Earle of Chester’s Yeomanty Cavalry band from 1873 to 1888.
His written works included the 1860 Fantasia on Verdi's opera Attila, for Euphonium or Ophicleide and Pianoforte, the 1858 Instruction Book for Euphonium, and the 1858 Popular Instruction Book for Trombine.