When Boosey was all male
OrchestrasRemember this?
If you can’t decipher it, the caption says: B&H can supply you with the new model.
NO the Euphonium. Not the Girl.
What were they thinking?
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They were probably thinking that sex sells. Who could challenge them on this?
Back in the era that photos like that were normal and not a problem, there weren’t that many women playing euphonium; or tuba or tenor horn for that matter. So why not appeal to the likely buyer (who presumably was attracted to women). I played in a British-style brass band back in the ’70s and the women in the group played cornet or alto horns.
Carol Jantsche is tuba in Philadelphia
I played tuba in British and Australian bands from 1970. One of the UK bands only had 2 tubas, or basses as they were called in the band, both female. I eventually sought sanctuary in the orchestral world. There weren’t lots of us, but we did, and still do, exist.
I remember Enid Roper (horn) and Maisie Ringham (trombone) in the Halle Orchestra in the 1950s/60s; later Shirley Hopkins (horn), wife of Alan Civil, in various London orchestras. The Halle was always contrary – male harpist (Charles Collier), female timpanist (Joyce Aldous), etc. – proportions may have changed over time, but they were always there . . .
Memory is a strange thing. I don’t think I would have ever been able to recall that image but the instant I saw it I remembered it – I’m guessing from the 1970’s? It seemed totally acceptable at the time, as did the idea of girls not being suitable to play brass instruments!!
I played the euphonium as a teenager, till cracks appeared in the ceiling. Then I changed to occarino.
I loved the euphonium, especially for the shocked expression on the faces of visitors and passers-by.
Sally
I remember it. In those days it was called having a laugh. Not sure there was much confected outrage, either.
No, indeed. Back when people had a sense of humour — and a sense of perspective.
Boosey was thinking: Let’s make an ad that gets attention for decades.
…and here we are, discussing Boosey. Sex Sells. People today gasp, but then again many of those same people today protest to have the right to encourage kids to permanently change their bodies. Boosey was tame (and cute).
Time to buy Bartok and Britten
I bought my euphonium entirely dressed and was helped by a perfectly dressed elderly gentleman who showed me in the shop in which hole I had to blow. The whole affair was very decent, apart from the sounds.
Sally
But this style of ad did stop being effective: Boosey went broke in 2006.
they also weren’t using this ad or one like it in 2005.
They probably believed that in those days their clientele was overwhelmingly male and would be attracted (somehow) to an ad that caught their eye. As I remember there were precious few women being encouraged to learn to play brass instruments, not even horn!
How did horn end up being a ‘girl’ instrument?
Good question!
Sexism? In brass? color me shocked.
Betcha sales were up and I’m sure her talent included not only playing the euphonium but playing on the linoleum.
The model looks good here. I doubt she would have done the photo shoot with a viola.
Such viol speculations have no place here, surely…
Shirley, anything in life, can be turned into a viola joke.
Yes, but don’t call him shirley.
It’s good to see Boosey once had an aspiration to supply anything. I’ve been waiting for Boosey and Hawkes to release a 5-volume graded cello series (containing pieces set as options for the 2024 ABRSM exams) and due out in autumn 2023. So far no sign of the books. B&H don’t answer the phone, don’t reply to voicemail, don’t reply to emails or messages sent them via their website. It’s a wonder they’re still in business.
The sheet music company has been a separate entity from the instrument company for a long time. The instrument company is no longer in business.
….well, there is a famous pianist nowadays who obviously has no problem with „sex sells“…..
They probably chortled all the way to the printer with that one.
But if they had left the “…not the girl” line off, they’d have been inundated with prank calls from men asking “Does the girl come with it? Ha-ha-ha-ha!”
I’m reminded of Jerry Seinfeld’s observation… “All men think they are funny.”
I went on a guided tour of the B&H factory as a teenager and was highly embarrassed to see all the ‘girlie’ posters on the walls.