JOHN Packer Ltd is delighted to be among a very limited number of specialist retailers allowed to stock Schagerl trumpets.

Schagerl has been making top end professional instruments for the past 50 years. Their instruments are the perfect synthesis of traditional craftsmanship, innovative design and have all the attributes to serve the needs of musicians of all genres and levels. Schagerl Instruments are played all over the world: in great Symphony Orchestras, Ensembles and by great soloists. Perhaps the most well-known player is the Australian virtuoso James Morrison.

Brass department manager, Steve Herbert, said: “We’re really lucky to be selected to stock these superb trumpets. It goes to show how highly regarded our brass department is.”

John Packer Ltd is currently stocking five trumpets; TR-421L, TR-650L, TR-600S, TR-610L and the James Morrison Signature trumpet (pictured right). Other Schagerl trumpets are also available.

Anyone wanting to know more about this exciting range of instruments, can contact the John Packer Ltd brass department by emailing steve@johnpacker.co.uk, or calling 01823 282836.

A RECENT report from the American journal General Dentistry has revealed that used instruments could be contaminated with enough bacteria or fungi to bring on anything from food poisoning to brain abscesses!

A team of researchers gathered samples from 13 high school band instruments; including two clarinets, two oboes, two mellophones (brass instrument), two trombones, two trumpets, and one cornet. A whopping 442 different species of bacteria were found, along with 58 moulds and 19 yeasts.

These nasties could make a player quite poorly; with the potential to produce infections diseases and even asthma. Children are more at risk because their immune systems aren't as well developed as adults.

Before you give up your instrument for health reasons never fear - you can keep your instrument clean with various hygienic sprays. You can use the Bach Hygienic Spray on mouthpieces, down the bore of an instrument and even in the instrument's case (a breeding ground for bugs). IT costs only £3.02 on our website www.johnpacker.co.uk.

You can also use pull-throughs (as oppose to mop sets) which can be easily washed in warm soapy water to rid germs.

We have a full department of cleaning and maintenance accessories for brass and woodwind instruments, from pull throughs, to oils and greases.

Don't let this horror story deter you from playing your instrument - just keep it clean!