Remembering Trevor Austin, founder of Rosehill Instruments
24 June 2026
A year on from Trevor's death, we reflect on his legacy in the banding world.
"Rrrrrosehill!"
Regular customers of Rosehill Instruments since 1967 will recognise Trevor's distinctive phone greeting, with its enthusiastic rolled 'R' – one of many quirks of a man known for his energy, eccentricity and generosity.
When Trevor died one year ago today, the outpouring of love and memories was both touching and unsurprising: after all, Trevor built a business on the strength of his vast network of friends.
A well-earned reputation
Trevor's prominence in musical circles came from many years of brass banding. But it was in the Royal Horse Guards, where he played for hours every day, that he really honed his skills. And it was there that he experienced the proudest moment of his euphonium playing career: riding behind Queen Elizabeth II's carriage at her coronation.
Trevor in the Royal Horse Guards
As players started to rely on Trevor for advice in choosing an instrument, he decided to turn his passion into a career.
In 1967, he launched Rosehill Instruments. At first, he operated out of his home, filling it with instruments, customers, chaos and fun. By 1975, the house (and his wife!) could take no more, and they moved the business to the shop in Beaconsfield.
Spreading the banding joy
Over the next decades, Trevor not only sold musical instruments, but also created opportunities for other musicians. He founded Beaconsfield Brass, the British Association of Christian Brass Bands, and possibly the first brass band summer school, led by Edward Gregson.
Beaconsfield Brass preparing to play at Remembrance Sunday, conducted by Trevor
Through Rosehill Music Publishing, he published Sounding Brass and The British Bandsman, the oldest weekly music magazine in the world. All of which made for a lot of work at the Royal Albert Hall every October, where he ran no less than five stands – two for Rosehill Instruments, one for Rosehill Music Publishing, and one for each magazine.
Keeping it 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 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.
Roy Castle at the grand opening of Rosehill Instruments in Beaconsfield, 1975
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. He had completely forgotten to decorate. Undaunted, he 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.
Even in banding, he enjoyed a bit of mischief. A former 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.
How people saw him
Trevor's kindness, humour and expertise earned him widespread love and respect. Those who knew him describe him as a true Christian, a perfect gentleman, and a pillar of the banding movement.
He sold many players their very first instrument, advised them, encouraged them, and set them on their musical path. His legacy continues in Rosehill Instruments, certainly, but also in the indelible mark he left on British banding.
Trevor lived to 94, and it's impossible to entirely capture his full life. But if you'd like to take a longer trip down memory lane, we invite you to view the eulogy given by his younger son and our current director, Paul.