ON Wednesday 16th May a local lady came into the shop asking if we would value an old instrument for her. This happens very regularly and always generates a slight air of excitement because you never know what is going to come out of a battered old case or scruffy shopping bag. Usually, it's some tarnished and tangled web of brass tubing that would be lucky if it justified going on a pub wall.

Sometimes however... The lady took out two lengths of pale material and said that this flute (for that was what it was) had belonged to her mother and grandmother and could it be made to work again. Hmmmm. Interesting... looks like ivory... looks very old... very old.

It had four keys, well at least it should have had four keys, but one was missing with only the saddle remaining. The two keys on the body joint were of a slightly different design than the footjoint key, so we surmised that they were a later addition. Also, bizarrely, it had two embouchure holes. We searched for a makers name. Even under the best magnification it looked like it was made up of indistinct elements of a mixture of letters that could have been S's or E's or B's or R's or F's or H's. We just couldn't fathom it out, but we did have a sneaking feeling that this was something interesting...

On Thursday 17th May, we emailed some images and had a long conversation with an old friend in London who is an expert in these things. He was also quietly intrigued about it. He explained that the additional embouchure hole would have been added when standard pitch rose after the Baroque period, but from what he could see this was a 17th century ivory flute.We agreed to ship the flute to him immediately by courier for a full examination and so that our friend could call in other experts for their verdict.

Friday 18th May. Early in the morning, and within minutes of the courier delivering the flute, we get a call from London. 'It's a Scherer'. We'd heard of lots of makers from this period, but not Scherer. 'Is that good?' we asked. 'It's very rare' came the reply. So rare that the word was already out and notables were offering their opinions and queuing up to come and see it. In it's day it would have been the crème de la crème. Our London expert wasn't prepared to quote a value, as he wasn't certain exactly what effect the modifications would have on the price if it were offered for sale. However, as he put it 'it's worth a lot of money and it's staying in my safe'.

Now we wait. Hopefully, we will bring you up to date soon when we get more news. Watch this space...!

ARE you a brass player? Do you need a job?

We're currently looking for someone to work on Saturdays in our busy shop in Taunton.

We need an experienced brass player capable of playing to a good standard and who is articulate and accurate, you may be just the person we are looking for.

We need someone to deal with customers in the shop and on the 'phone, check stock and perform basic administratuve and tidying duties. This position commences on July 7th, 2012.

Please apply in writing giving relevant experience and reasons why you might be appropriate for the job.

Write to:

Steve Herbert, Brass Department Manager
John Packer Ltd
141 Staplegrove Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 6AF

AFTER the highly successful Brass Band Workshop in April, John Packer Ltd is delighted to announce news of another event taking place this autumn.

Musicians are invited to our Symphonic Wind Band Workshop at The Castle School, in Taunton on Saturday, September 29th.

Like the brass day, a very special guest will be leading musicians. This time we are pleased to welcome Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Chris Davis OBE BA(Hons) MMus DMA LRAM.

Chris joined the Royal Marines Band Service in 1975 (along with our very own Brass Department Manager Steve Herbert!) and rapidly rose through the ranks to the illustrious position of Principal Director of Music in 2002. Chris has also had a successful academic career and gained a Doctorate in Musical Arts in 2006. His research programme resulted in five commercially available CDs of contemporary works for wind band. Since retiring from The Royal Marines Chris has been busy as a freelance conductor (including on one memorable occasion, the London Symphony Orchestra), clinician and adjudicator. More recently Chris has been appointed as Associate Conductor to the current National Brass Band Champions Brighouse & Rastrick. In short, Chris is something of a legend and this is a rare opportunity to benefit from his wealth of expertise.

While this is an informal event, the aim is to provide a high standard of performance and to enable those attending to have fun, gain experience and hopefully go home a better musician than when they arrived.

Tickets for the event are £7.50 each and must be pre-booked. This day features challenging music, so musicians must be of an advanced standard. Please bring a packed lunch, your instrument and a music stand. Registration from 9am for a 10am start. The day will end at 5pm.

Please call Andy for woodwind tickets and Steve for Brass and percussion tickets, limited numbers available.

The venue is The Castle School, School Hall, Castle Sports Centre, Wellington Road, Taunton, TA1 5AU, which is located behind Somerset College of Art and Technology (SCAT).

For more info and tickets please call 01823 282386 (option 1).

Pieces to be played include:

Windows of the World  Graham

Resplendent Glory          Galante 

Londonderry Air             Grainger

Shepherds Song               Richards

Tocatta                               Bach arr. Farr

John Packer Ltd and Denis Wick have teamed up in a fantastic competition to give away £250 worth of mutes. This unique competition is really easy to enter - just click here!

To enter simply fill in your name, email and instrument. The winner willl eceive a set of Denis Wick mutes of thier choice up to a recommended retail value of £250. Any mutes can be choisen from the Denis Wick range for any instrument or instruments. Details of which can be found here.

The prize includes carriage to mainlad UK only. The prize has no nomincal value and cannot be exchanged for cash. The winner is picked at random and will be notified by email. So what are you waiting for? Enter NOW!!!

What is the JP+ Scheme? 

THE JP+ Scheme allows you to upgrade your JP instrument to a higher spec JP model (within the same musical family) and receive a discount of up to 20%.

Why Upgrade?

SO you've got off the marks and are progressing through the grades - well done! Our JP instruments are designed to support the progress of a player, so by upgrading you'll be allowing yourself to reach new potential.

Who Can Upgrade?

ANY school or individual owner of a JP Musical Instrument can upgrade. They can even keep their old instrument. Proof of purchase is required.

What Saving Can Be Made?

THE JP+ Scheme allows you to upgrade any JP model and save as follows:

10% off a JP 1 Series instrument
15% off a JP 2 Series instrument
20% off a JP 3 Series instrument

If you're at a state school you can still purchase it via the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme and save the VAT! For more information on the AIPS click here

How Do You Do the JP+?

IT'S easy! Call us on 01823 282386. We'll need to know what instrument you want to upgrade, and details of your current JP instrument. You can then buy your new JP instrument!

ALL UK retailers of JP Musical Instruments are participating in the scheme.

Terms & Conditions:

Must be same instrument type. You cannot upgrade a flute for a trumpet! Offer only applies to John Packer Musical Instruments. You can keep your own instrument, although you may be able to part exchange it (subject to condition etc.). You must present us with proof of purchase/ownership, including the model and serial number. You can only use your instrument to upgrade once. This scheme cannot be used in conjunction with any other special offer or promotion. We reserve the right to close the offer at any time without notice or obligation.

Speak to one of our sales staff to arrange your upgrade. Call 01823 282386.

If you have been thinking of upgrading your old instrument there has never been a better time! Get your hands on a brand new top quality Besson product without the need to find all of the money up front.

For a Limited time Besson Musical Instruments, in association with John Packer Ltd and Moneyway, are offering 0% Finance on their full range of instruments. You can spread the cost with affordable monthly payments but have your instrument delivered immediately!

A minimum 10% deposit is required with the balance being repaid over 12 months.

Contact a member of our sales team on 01823 282386  for more details! 

Example

Besson Prestige BE2028 Cornet in Silver

Interest Rate 0%APR
Cash Price £2600.64
Deposit £260.06
Total amount of Credit £2340.58
Representative APR 0% APR
Term of Loan 12 months
Total amount payable £2600.64
Monthly Repayment 1 monthly payment of £195.03 and 11 monthly payments of £195.05. 

24 Month ‘Low Rate’ Finance also available!

If you are interested in a higher value Besson instrument you may wish to spread the cost over a longer period. We are able to offer this with low rate finance of 2.9% Representative APR.

 

Example

Besson Sovereign BE967 Euphonium in Silver

Interest Rate 2.9% APR
Cash Price £4844.83
Deposit £484.48
Total amount of Credit £4360.35
Total charge for Credit £131.25
Representative APR 2.9% APR
Term of Loan 24 months
Total amount payable £4976.08
Monthly Repayment £187.15

 
Terms and conditions apply.
Scheme is available for a limited period only and may be withdrawn at any time.
Moneyway is a trading name of Secure Trust Bank Plc. Registered in England and Wales 541132. Registered Office: One Arleston Way, Solihull, B90 4LH. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and licensed by the Office of Fair Trading under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. The Financial Services Authority does not regulate consumer credit.
The retailer (John Packer Ltd) acts as a credit intermediary and only introduces to Secure Trust Bank PLC.

NINETY-FIVE brass players travelled to Queens College, Taunton in Somerset on Saturday 14^th April to attend the John Packer Brass Band Workshop with top soloists David Thornton (Brighouse & Rastrick) and Richard Poole (Foden’s).

The day started with David giving warm up advice and tips to all the players before tackling the various pieces of music which were designed to stretch the capability of the assembled ensemble.

As well as coaching the players throughout the day both soloists were given the opportunity to have their share of the spotlight, Richard’s awesome soprano playing in his own arrangement of La Virgin De La Macarena was just stunning and not to be outdone David followed with his faultless performance of the famous Euphonium solo The Carnival Of Venice during the final session of the day.

Steve Herbert Brass Department Manager of John Packer’s had given everyone a lighthearted ‘Brass Band Quiz’ and later in the day presented prizes to Graham Davies, John Woods & Dave Coles who came joint first with Christine Sweetapple, Jessica Smith, Holly Whale & Tegan Hill receiving runner up prizes.

Everyone who attended the day thoroughly enjoyed the event. Steve and his team give a big thank you to all the participants who took part in the day and also to David and Richard who made the whole day that something extra special.   

COMMENTS FROM PARTICIPANTS:

‘What a great day. Us three Brummies had a marvelous time. A long drive but worth every mile. Please do it again – soon’.

‘Again, many thanks for organising today’s brass music fun day. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and I am amazed at the amount of information I came away with that will hopefully make me a better player. Both David and Richard are masters of their chosen instruments and it was pleasure listening to there expert advice and to hearing them play. I have both of David’s solo CD’s and the latest Foden’s CD featuring Richard’s sop solo and so I knew what great soloists they are, but hearing them live was just fantastic. It would be good to this as an annual event and if this is to be the case, please put my name down for next year.’

 ‘I have attended several brass workshops in the hope of 'self improvement' (!)  This was by far the most effective and moreover it was highly enjoyable.  I have no criticisms whatever  --  just the opposite.’

 ‘Organisers seldom receive thanks, but I would like to add my thanks alongside, no doubt, that of many others and express the hope that the event will be repeated.’

THE summer is fast approaching and the holiday season is just around the corner, your thoughts drift off to those lazy days sat in the sun on the beach, but then a horrible realisation hits you... my cornet is too big to take on holiday how will I keep my lip in?

Do not despair! Us clever clogs at John Packer Ltd have the answer with this specially designed pocket trumpet called a JP159. Essentially it is a Bb trumpet which is wrapped up extremely small measuring only 230mm in length which can be stowed away in your luggage without taking up valuable clothes space.

The JP159 comes in a range of wonderful colours to match your summer outfit: red, blue, green black, silver or lacquer for only £146.28 inc. VAT which includes a mouthpiece and an easy to carry case.

For more information call Steve on 01823 282386 or email steve@johnpacker.co.uk

Sold? Buy NOW!

YAMAHA have just launched some new models/variations on some of their student lines. This is part of a review of their position in the market place, so some instruments have been discontinued while others have revised specifications. We're all going to have to learn some new model numbers as, for example, old favourites like the 275 saxes and 250 clarinets are now the 280 and 255. Groups affected are all in student/step up areas of trumpets, cornets, clarinets and alto/tenor saxes. We've new models in stock. Keep reading to find out about all the changes.

Trumpets

The Yamaha YTR1335 & 2335 trumpets have been replaced by the YTR2330 trumpet. This instrument features new caps and buttons on the valves, Monel alloy pistons, an adjustable 3rd ring, thumb hook, 3rd slide water key and yellow brass two piece bell. It also comes in a lightweight gig style case.

There now is a YTR3335 trumpet, with many shared features of the 2230, along with a brace and reversed tuning slide. It comes in a lightweight hard case, two carry handles and an external pocket for music.

The YTR4335G has become the YTR4335GII It has a fixed 3rd ring unlike the earlier student models, which helps the tone of the instrument. The case is also upgraded from the 3335 model and includes an additional shoulder strap.

Cornets

The YCR2330III has a new round shaped leadpipe which makes the instrument much more free-blowing and easier to produce a good sound for students. It also now has an adjustable 3rd ring which wasn't found on the previous incarnation of this model. It is supplied in a standard cornet case.

The 4000 series cornet has also undergone the same treatment as the 2000 series. This model already had monel alloy pistons and as with the 4000 series trumpet, has a fixed ring. The case is also slightly upgraded.

Yamaha's Soprano cornet - the YCR2610S has also been upgraded.

Saxophones

Both the alto and tenor saxophone has changed model numbers from the 275 to the 280. The standard spec on this model includes things like a gold lacquered body and keys, high F#. Changes include a new neck receiver which makes the crook more stable. The low B-C# connection has been mechanically improved which has a positive effect on the tone. The case remains the same as previous.

The 475 models have moved to 480 models in alto and tenor. They feature new octave keys - which are now compatible to take Custom necks - easily upgraded. The engraving on the bell is also new.

Clarinet

One final instrument that has been reviewed is the JP250 - now the YCL255S. Still made from ABS resin there are two major changes. The thumbrest is now bigger and stronger (and still adjustable) and the bell is now lightweight making it easier to hold and play. It also comes with a newly designed case.

The Howarth S2 oboe was made from 1948 – when T Howarth started manufacturing oboes - up until the mid 1990s. This thumbplate model was extremely popular when the ‘norm’ for oboes was open-hole construction; its decline owing to improvements and general acceptance of the covered hole. These days learners and manufacturers favour the covered hole system – certainly many find it easier to play. Despite this, there is an argument that those who learn on an open hole instrument develop a better hand technique.

There still is a place for this beloved oboe. It was exceptionally well made. The African Blackwood out of which the instruments were made was seasoned for many years before being shaped to very precise design specifications. All the instrument keys were handmade and fitted to the instrument by hand - some oboe keys were even made of solid silver! The instrument was tested and tuned, with final adjustments made by Howarth’s highly skilled craftsmen.

While no longer made, it remains a professional standard oboe. Most importantly it is still capable of producing a traditional English sound.

In recent years professionals have favoured heavier instruments like the S5 model and above. The thicker body produces a darker sound, but it also makes the oboe a bigger instrument to play – quite physically tiring for the amateur player!

Howarth’s oboe construction has inevitably evolved over the years, the S2 has a thinner body than modern oboes, but it presents a manageable and easy blow. So there are many advantages to the S2 in the current market.

Because the new market now favours covered hole you can find yourself an exceptional Howarth S2, for a very good price. It competes well with modern wooden student instruments; it is made to a much higher specification. It is light, durable and as it has less keywork maintenance is simpler and it is easier to play for longer periods.

John Packer Ltd currently has three Howarth S2 oboes available for sale.  All of which have been serviced by our experienced workshop. Please click here to view the double reed department. To arrange a trial, please call 01823 282386 option 1.

This oboe is only £950 and has been fully repadded by our workshop!