Due to continuing growth, John Packer Ltd are looking for a sales person to assist in their busy retail premises in Taunton. This varied role involves supporting the departmental managers in all areas of retail sales.

The successful applicant will play woodwind or brass instruments to a high standard and will ideally have been qualified at a specialist music college.  We are looking for someone who is intelligent, articulate, diligent and with good communication skills. This is a busy role and would suit a physically active person. Some sales experience would be an advantage, but is not essential as full training will be given

We are a successful and friendly company and the role offers good prospects to the right person.

The job entails a 5 day week (with a Saturday rota) and the remuneration package is generous and related to potential/experience.

Please send CV in the first instance to Jon Parkinson (Sales Director) – jon@johnpacker.co.uk. The closing date for applications is January 31^st 2013.

'TIS the season of goodwill and when could be a better time to donate an instrument to a good home?!

We are asking schools and teachers that know a deserving young student to get in touch and tell us why they think that player should be awarded a new instrument.

We'll consider the applications by the closing date of Thursday December 13th and one luck youngster will receive the instrument in time for Christmas!

Just to clarify, this instrument will be completely FREE OF CHARGE (including carriage).

The Spirit of Christmas is alive and well!

Send your nomination to jean@johnpacker.co.uk

DUE to our continuing expansion we are looking for an additional member of staff to fulfil the role of Export Sales Administrator.

The successful candidate will have a musical background and have a sound knowledge of industry standard word processing, email and spreadsheet software. Some sales experience would be helpful as would some experience with foreign languages, but neither are essential.

The job will involve all aspects of supporting the Export Sales Director including producing and analysing reports, organising schedules and directly liaising with our customers overseas.

This role carries a high degree of responsibility so applicants will need to be diligent, articulate, responsible, intelligent and capable of working on their own initiative.

This is a part-time role of 25 hours/week (5 hours/day), but it is likely that this may increase as the role develops.

The salary will be generous, but commensurate with experience and potential.

Please apply with your CV by email in the first instance to Mrs Annie Gardner - Finance Director (annie@johnpacker.co.uk)

Deadline for applications is January 31st, 2013.

JOHN Packer Ltd and Derbyshire Music Service have collaborated so that the Mbale School Band in Uganda recently received a raft of woodwind and brass instruments. The band practice often and learn vital life skills from their experience in the band. We'll keep you posted on their progress! 

Philip Monk - founder of ugive2uganda - said: "Learning to play a musical instrument to a reasonable standard requires determination and instills character in a child. Add to this the comradeship, confidence and fun that comes with being part of a musical ensemble and you have a perfect environment to stimulate spritiual, academic and character development."

The charity is currently fundraising for a music centre where they can also teach woodwind instruments, keyboard and guitar.

For more information visit: www.ugive2uganda.org

EIGHT-FIVE advanced musicians from far and wide joined together for the first John Packer Symphonic Wind Band Workshop on Saturday, September 29th at Castle School Taunton.
Players were guided and coached by Chris Davis on some interesting and challenging pieces. A great performance of Windows Of The World tested the whole band especially the three percussionists! The day was run with military precision from start to finish and ended with a ‘concert performance’ of selected pieces.

Some of the comments from players who attended the day are below:

  "A great day, well organised Steve and your team. Looking forward to the next one."

"Brilliant day Steve, really enjoyed it. Thanks to all at JP".

 "It was a fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable day in all respects - thanks to Steve and co, and especially to Chris Davis for giving us all the benefit of your expertise & experience. Well done Packers - I'd love to do it again sometime!"

"Just wanted to tell you of what an incredible weekend I had in Taunton! I really really enjoyed getting to play British wind band repertoire that I have never played before. If you don't mind I would like details for other wind band workshops or workshops that John Packers might be involved in around the UK. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience."

"Thank you so much for such a great day today - please, please do another wind band day again!"

"Great day at the workshop yesterday, and a particular thanks to the 'brass chap' at Packer's for the great job he did on my Monnig horn. Thanks again."

"Thank you for a great day yesterday!"

PHOTO: The symphonic wind group that formed for one day only! To see more pics, click here

BRASS Department Manager Steve Herbert was recently given the opportunity to sell a piece of trumpet history by a customer calling into the shop with a 1972/73 Olds Pinto Bb Trumpet.

"The ‘Olds’ brand of trumpets are very sought after, with this particular model especially popular with collectors as they were only produced for three years making them a rare find", said Steve.

Although the Pinto was the entry level Bb trumpet in the successful Olds range it sold for $169.50 in 1973 and is unique in its design with its polycarbonate mould around the brass valve block and removable leadpipe / bell. The Pinto also has the strange main tuning slide/ 3^rd slide configuration like the Olds Ultrasonic model which made it a very freeblowing instrument.

The instrument was quickly snapped up by a customer, who specifically liked how free-blowing it was.

Another quick sale for our brass department! If you've got a secondhand instrument you're considering parting with, click here to read about our secondhand scheme.

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 administrative 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

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!

Where Can You Do The JP+?

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.