Play with two of the best players in the Brass Band World for a Brass Music Funday in Taunton on April 14th!

David Thornton (Euphonium withThe Brighouse & Rastrick Band), and Richard Poole (from Foden's Band Soprano) are the star attractions at a day of brass workshops hosted by John Packer Ltd at Queen's College.

Following registration from 9am, musicians will start the day at 10am with a mass warm up led by David. Followed by expert tutoring from David and Richard on specially selected pieces. This dynamic duo are very familiar with large concert venues and international competitions so will have many tips to share! They will give demonstrations during the day and will answer any musical quandaries...

The day will culminate in a performance of pieces learned during the day, featuring solos by the esteemed guests including 'La Virgin De La Macarena', which Richard has just recorded on the latest Fodens CD!

All ages and standards welcome. Bring your instrument / music stand and a pack lunch and enjoy the day.

Tickets for this funday are only £5! For more information, or tickets, please call Steve on 01823 282386 or email steve@johnpacker.co.uk

We do love receiving feedback from musicians, and we were delighted with this glowing review on the new JP243 soprano saxophone from David Burnand -a music professor at the Royal College of Music...

"I received this saxophone last week and have had great pleasure playing it.

"The sax feels light, which for me is good, as I play without a sling and am now developing arthritis in my wrists. In fact it's 200gm heavier than my 1926 Buescher True-Tone, but so nicely balanced that it feels lighter on the right hand. Good news for us oldies and for younger/smaller players, too. I like the integrated neck and (therefore) absence of a curved alternative crook, thought his might not suit everyone. Overall construction and appearance are of a high quality.

 "Against expectations, I stuck with the mouthpiece provided, which plays very well. In fact, on this instrument, I prefer it to my (presumably more expensive) Vandoren, Barone and Link m/pieces. The square cross-section of the chamber arch reminds me of the Selmer S-80. It speaks clearly throughout the entire range of the instrument from low Bb to high G. Intonation is excellent. The usual variations at tops and bottoms of registers lie within a very narrow range on this instrument. Tone is even throughout the instrument. Inevitable differences of tone for overlapping notes either side of the break are useful, therefore, rather than sounding like different instruments, one too thin and one to thick.

"The keys are smooth, even, fast and well positioned. My relatively short little fingers can be problematic with low Bb on some instruments. No problem at all with the JP243, which has a well-designed plate for the left-hand cluster. On some instruments altissimo keys are often difficult to find or too easily opened inadvertently, especially for players with smaller hands. Not so with the JP243. Fingering is intuitive and comfortable on this sax.

 "In conclusion, this is a remarkable instrument for its price range, and I would recommend it to beginners and professionals alike."

Professor David Burnand
Royal College of Music

Click here to buy the JP243!

JOHN Packer Ltd are proud to launch the JP377Sterling EEb tuba - the newest lower brass instrument in partnership with Paul Riggett of Sterling Brass.

Priced at £3840 inc vat for the JP377Sterling in gold lacquer and £4320 inc vat for the silver plated JP377Sterling, these instruments have been designed to the highest standard of manufacture and perform instruments of a much higher price bracket.

Paul Riggett of Sterling Musical Instruments was previously Manufacturing Manager for Boosey & Hawkes and has a wealth of experience built up over many years in the industry. He has been involved at grassroots level overseeing the design and production of this fine instrument which has resulted in an astonishing instrument that will prompt you to ask ‘why does it play so well for so little!’

Designed for the amateur / pro player at an affordable price this tuba will compete happily against many more expensive tubas.  

Technical info:

Sterling design and leadpipe

High grade 80:20 brass

19” bell for greater sound projection

Fully compensating 4 valve system

Supplied with a high quality lightweight case with wheels and a JP611 mouthpiece.

Click here to buy!

CALLING all clarinetists! This May Cardiff University will be the location for a mass clarinet day...

Professional musicians Leslie Craven - solo recording artist and principal clarinet with the Welsh National Opera and Peter Fielding - formely principal bass clarinet with the Welsh National Opera - will be leading the day on Sunday, May 6th from 9am-7pm.

The day is open to musicians of all ages and will be a fun and educational day, with concerts and masterclasses. On the day you will also see staff from John Packer Ltd with a trade stand where you can buy clarinets, and accessories.

Admission cost: £30 for adults, £25 for children under 18, £15 for full-time students and £15 for large groups & clarinet choirs.

Family rates are available on application, and entry is FREE for observers and Cardiff University clarinet students.

For more information, fees and application forms, contact chris@craven.f2s.com or 01600 714169. You can also download application forms online at www.lesliecraven.co.uk

A 'C' trumpet is not the standard trumpet that a person would ordinarily begin on. It is more usual to begin on a Bb trumpet, or even cornet (also in Bb). Despite this it can be quite advantageous to own a 'C' and here are five reasons why!:

1. No transposing! If you're reading music in church it's much easier to play
2. No need to work out! A 'C' trumpet is lighter than a Bb trumpet - so you can play for even longer!
3. Be heard! The 'C' trumpet is commonly used in orchestras for its bright sound which cuts through better than a Bb trumpet
4. Great for teaching! The trumpet is ideal for teachers in classroom situations, so they can play piano, flute, violin etc. parts
5. They're not expensive! You can own one now at this great sales, JP152 lacquer £252 inc. VAT & JP152 silver £264 inc. VAT.

Find out more, or buy now by clicking this link!

There may be a special deal just for you in our fabulous February sale...

We can often beat advertised prices, so if you're after a new instrument, or an accessory, call us on 01823 282386 to speak to a specialist and get our best price.

If you're quick you can even bag a bigger bargain in our clearance department! We've a fantastic selection of ex-display instruments. Never pre-owned, these instruments offer a substantial saving to their new counterparts. And once they're gone - they're gone!

View ALL BRASS    view ALL WOODWIND

Full PDF of instruments available by clicking this link: CLEARANCE SALE 2012.pdf (136.00 kb)

Along with these instruments there are also some superb discounts on accessories, some up to 35% off the shop price. Discounts are only available on products while they are in stock - so shop now to avoid disappointment!

Shop now:          10% off    20% off    30% off

John Packer Ltd are delighted to announce that the winner of the Butlin's "Win David Thornton" competition in association with Sterling Musical Instruments is Paul Clough from the Dobcross Silver Band.

Paul has asked for David to perform with the band at one of its concerts at the world famous Dobcross Band Club and we will be publishing the dates as soon as they are arranged.

Dobcross were one of 65 bands that entered the competition to have the services of the Sterling Euphonium artist and Solo Euphonium of the Brighouse and Rastrick band and we are sure that it will be a fantastic event!

OVER our years of saxophone production we've seen just how many budding musicians have started on our JP041s who are now happily advancing onto more advanced saxes. We're always looking at ways we can improve our instruments and uncover new musical areas. We like to feel that we are part of a musican's life from the tentative B-A-G, to a much higher level of musicianship. Understanding our players has helped us understand our instruments; what players want from the instruments and - just as importantly - how much they want to spend.

As a woodwind musician, John Packer has taken a personal interest in bringing a new class of instruments into the market. The 2 series offer a level of performance that would normally only be found in 'step up' or middle range instruments, yet still priced to fit into the student market. Despite their modest price, the 2-series instruments have a performace capability which has impressed a number of well known professional players in the UK who now use them in their day to day work at the highest level.

2012 sees four new saxophones onto the scene, each a perfect specimen for the advancing player heading to the upper grades.

The JP243 £780) Soprano saxophone and JP245 (£720) Alto saxophone are both all new designs. Specific features include the following:

•    High grade 80:20 brass   
•    Underslung 8ve mechanism           
•    Floating plate design for little finger (LH) cluster   
•    Full ribbed construction               
•    ‘Abalone’ pearls                   
•    Italian leather pads               
•    Blue steel springs               
•    Double spine on B & C               
•    Resonator pads                   
•    Adjustable thumb rest               
•    Adjustable back stops               
•    G#/Bb & F/F# independent adjustment       
•    Lyre box                   
•    Mechanism includes: High F#, Front F, High G (on soprano model only

The JP243 soprano saxophone also features a straight neck.

The glorious new Rosestone saxophones (alto pictured left) are an even higher example of JP manufacturing. The alto (£1495) and tenor saxophone models are designed to slot comfortably into the upper student/semi-professional performance area.

This instrument exhibits a very high standard of workmanship and a matching level of excitement for the player. It looks gorgeous in its gold lacquer finish and is capable of both great power and subtlety. It also has a superb tuning scale. This is a multi-faceted instrument and is ready to support players in whatever musical environment they find themselves

The comprehensive package includes Selmer C* mouthpiece, Rovner (Dark) ligature and essential cleaning materials all in a high quality lightweight case.

We're delighted to have received this review from Mark Armstrong about our JP351SW LT trumpet. Mark is Musical Director at NYJO and Jazz professor at the Royal College of Music. 

"I was recently asked by the chaps at John Packer's if I would review one of their recent introductions to the market - the JP351SWLT trumpet. Having both tried and been impressed by some of their earlier instruments I was keen to see what they had conjured up now. This interest was further enhanced by the fact that this instrument is a movement into new higher market areas for the Packer team and this means that you are battling with tougher opposition. Firstly the model number - 'SW' shows that, once again, Richard Smith (of Smith-Watkins) has been involved both in the overall design and, specifically, the all important lead pipe.  The 'LT' refers to the fact that the bell is very lightweight which, combined with the nickel silver reverse leadpipe, is an interesting combination on a large bore instrument.   

"On first sight I was impressed by the build quality - lovely construction and the slides and valves all moved sweetly and positively. Not only are Packers collaborating with the best designers in the West they are also using western grades of materials and, it seems, the best technology to ensure good construction quality. This instrument is over £1000 less than my own trumpet, but the build quality appeared to be equal.  It's impressive even when you open the case and look at it.  

"That's the cosmetics dealt with, but how does it all combine as a working tool for a musician? I tested this trumpet both at home and 'in the field'. My initial tests made me feel so confident in the instrument’s capability that it has now been heard by many people who have been to see Chicago in the West End. The sound is pleasingly warm and centred even at extreme dynamics and its overall characteristics make it ideal for jazz, big band or showmusic etc. Capable of power or subtlety with equal ease.   

"Frankly, at this price, this instrument is amazing value. Packer's intention in bringing higher quality & performance to the market place at accessible prices has certainly been achieved. I have been happy to use it professionally and will be using it again on Boxing day when I take NYJO to the Today [BBC Radio 4] programme.  This trumpet is without doubt capable of professional performance, but priced to be accessible to players doing the higher ABRSM grade exams. Great combination!"

See this wonderful trumpet by clicking here!

THE John Packer Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme has been a vital component in support of music in state schools since we pioneered the scheme in the 1990s.

However, with the advent of the Academy status schools, considerable confusion has arisen over whether or not the AIP scheme still applied. Many Academy Schools are either uncertain about the situation or believe that the AIP scheme is no longer applicable to them. If you are in that group then finally we have clarity...

Recently a school with which we have dealings made an enquiry to HM Revenue & Customs about this matter. This is an extract from the reply that they received from the government department:

"This matter has been looked into and I can advise you that academies are allowed to use the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme. It was originally thought that academies wouldn't be involved in this scheme and therefore it would not be applicable to them. However, we have now received information to the contrary and VAT Supply Policy have confirmed that academies can use the scheme in the same way that local authorities can.

Therefore I can confirm that academies can use the AIPS subject to the usual conditions of the scheme."*

* full text available if required.

This is great news for the parents of musical pupils and for music in schools. Please share this with your finance team, music staff and parents.

For your interest you can also view our current AIPS handout, complete with prices and details of our instrument hire scheme, by clicking here.