We regret to announce the death of John Mead, the first representative of our company in the USA and a family friend.

As a classical trombonist, John was a Professor of Low Brass at Marshall University in Huntingdon, WV for 31 years and held first chairs in the Hudson Valley Symphony, the Vermont Symphony, the Lexinton Symphony, the Huntingdon Symphony and the West Virginia Symphony.

For his sabbatical in 1977 John came to London to have trombone lessons with Denis Wick, and on one occasion he visited Boosey & Hawkes, the brass manufacturer. As Chief Designer for Boosey & Hawkes at that time, I was given the pleasant task of showing him around the factory, the start of a life-long friendship. In the same year, my wife and I made our first visit to the USA and we both experienced the Meads’ kind hospitality. From that time John acted as our US representative, storing a few instruments and setting up local demonstrations and assisting me at brass conferences throughout the States.

His warm character, sense of humour and high professional standards will be remembered by all who knew him. We will miss him and send our sincere condolences to his wife, Joan.