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 which increased demand significantly. Hazel joined in 2015, followed by Helen in 2016 to develop our brass hire range followed by Kate and James who joined the team in 2017 to help with increased demand.
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. "
