Ever since it opened in 1967, regular customers of Rosehill Instruments would have instantly recognised the distinctive phone greeting of its owner and founder thanks to his enthusiastically rolled ‘R’.

 ‘Rrrrrrosehill! How can I help? 

It was one of many quirks of Trevor Austin (above), a man known for his energy, expertise, generosity of spirit and wonderful eccentricity.

When Trevor died on the 24th June 2025, the outpouring of love and personal memories of him were heartfelt and touching, funny and joyful.

It was not surprising. After all, he had built a business on the strength of his connections to a vast network of friends, as well as a deep love and understanding of brass banding. 

Pride

Many years before, it all started in the Royal Horse Guards, where from 1948 to 1953 he played for hours every day, honing his playing (and equestrian) skills. 

It also provided him with what he later described was “the proudest moment”  of his euphonium playing career (above), as rode behind Queen Elizabeth II’s carriage at her coronation. 

Many years before however it all started in the Royal Horse Guards, where from 1948 to 1953 he played for hours every day, honing playing his skills. 

He soon found that players started to come to him for advice, especially in choosing an instrument to suit them.  Knowing that he would soon have to earn a living away from Army life, he decided to turn his passion into a career, although at first he worked in the construction industry.  

In 1967 his ambition was realised, as he launched Rosehill Instruments – named after the Rosehill Band of The Salvation Army where he had enjoyed playing up until 1951.  

Chaos and joy

At first, he operated out of his home, filling it with instruments, customers, chaos and plenty of joy.

By 1975, the house (and his beloved wife Christine) could take no more (the family was soon to expand with the arrival of three children), and they moved the business to the shop in Beaconsfield. 

Over the following decades, Trevor not only sold musical instruments, but also created opportunities for other musicians through his strong Christian faith.

Over the following decades, Trevor not only sold musical instruments, but also created opportunities for other musicians through his strong Christian faith.

He founded Beaconsfield Brass (below - which he conducted for over half a century), the British Association of Christian Brass Bands, and possibly the first brass band summer school in 1976, led by Edward Gregson. 

Busy and happy

Through Rosehill Music Publishing, he published Sounding Brass and The British Bandsman, the oldest weekly music magazine in the world. 

The busier he was the happier he was – none more so than at The Royal Albert Hall every October, where he ran no less than five stands at the National Championships of Great Britain - two for Rosehill Instruments, one for Rosehill Music Publishing, and one for each magazine. 

The busier he was the happier he was – none more so than at The Royal Albert Hall every October, where he ran no less than five stands at the National Championships of Great Britain 

Somehow, he also found time to act as a representative for the Bible Society, play squash, cricket, go walking, horse riding and cycling, and later found great joy in supporting an orphanage and nursing school in India. 

Sense of fun

Despite the hard work and determination required to build such a business and community, Trevor maintained an enormous sense of fun. 

At the grand opening of the shop in Beaconsfield, he recruited Roy Castle (above) for an unconventional but fitting take on the usual ribbon-cutting ceremony.  Roy pointed his Alpine horn at the shop door, while Trevor’s friend crouched behind it with a piece of string tied to the handle.

When Roy blew the horn, the door flew open as if by magic. 

Years later, when the Chamber of Commerce came to judge a competition for the best Christmas window display, he once again drew on his most favoured resource – music. 

Years later, when the Chamber of Commerce came to judge a competition for the best Christmas window display, he once again drew on his most favoured resource – music. 

Having forgotten about the competition until told on the day, he quickly gathered the staff, and by the time the judges reached the shop, Trevor and the Rosehill team were standing in the front window, playing carols.  

Humour and expertise

Even in banding, he enjoyed a bit of mischief.  One on occasion a band conductor strongly suspected that Trevor was competing with his fellow euphonium players to see who could make it through an entire hymn in one breath.  The tempo was soon slowed down, but the laughter was louder than ever.

It was that kind humour and expertise that earned him widespread love and respect.

Those who knew him described him as a ‘true Christian’, ‘a perfect gentleman’, and ‘a pillar of the banding movement’.  All were true, and more. 

Those who knew him described him as a ‘true Christian’, ‘a perfect gentleman’, and ‘a pillar of the banding movement’.  All were true, and more. 

He sold many players their very first instrument, advised them, encouraged them, and set them on their musical path.  Years later, as he sold them their latest, or the first to a new family member, it was undertaken with friendship and interest 

Love and respect

He knew want people wanted as well as really what they needed. They, full of respect and no little sense sense of love for a man of impeccable manners, huge knowledge and warmth of personality,  invariably took his advice and were the better players for it.  

That legacy continues in Rosehill Instruments today – still a family firm that reflects the ideals and ethos of the founder.

Legacy

That legacy continues in Rosehill Instruments today (above) – still a family firm that reflects the ideals and ethos of the founder.

The welcome sound of the voice on the telephone may have changed, but the service, the expertise and sense of friendship and fun have not.

Trevor lived a wonderful fulfilling life. 94 years of joy that he shared with all those who knew him.  Thankfully, his legacy lives on.

With thanks to Trevor Austin’s grand daughter, Genevieve Austin.