Who are we?
We are a small friendly team based in Derbyshire. With over 100 years of musical experience between us we really know our game!
Richard
“I started playing the clarinet when I was a child and the saxophone soon after. I enjoy playing both instruments in many bands, including Concert and Big Bands. Since 1990 I have been the Musical Director of the Southlake Concert Band. My students range in age from 6 to 88, and I run quartet groups for various abilities and ages.
I initially started hiring instruments to my students because many of them were having trouble finding hire agreements that were both flexible and affordable.
In 1996 I decided to offer instrument hire on a wider basis. In 2015, Following an increasing demand for my services, Hazel, and then Helen in 2016, joined the team, broadening our instrumental scope and enabling us to offer a more competitive and flexible service.”
Hazel
"Starting with descant recorder at an early age, I moved swiftly from violin to clarinet at nine (and never looked back!). Thirty years on, I am currently playing tenor sax with the Buxton based Southern rock band Radio Memphis and the Mississippi Horns, and also Omega Jazz band, where improvisation is compulsory! I also enjoy playing Klezmer clarinet now and then. Occasionally I dabble with flute, trumpet, guitars or accordion to add flavour to my recordings."
Helen
"My family are all musicians. My father taught me to play cornet at the age of 6 and I’ve loved playing ever since. I was given a flugel horn on my 13th birthday and I still play the flugel regularly with The Marple Band. Music is my passion. I have played with numerous bands over the years from local 4th section bands to a number of years with a championship section colliery band in Nottinghamshire. Ours is a rather noisy household as I’m sure you can imagine but there’s never a dull moment – or a free weekend…"
Kate
"For as long as I can remember I have loved making music, and now I have developed a love of sharing this with others through teaching and performing. My main instrument is bassoon, which I gained MMus from RNCM. I also play flute, clarinet, sax and piano. "
