About Trevor Head and the team at Llangunllo School

Hello, my name is Trevor Head.

I am the Director of Courses here in Llangunllo. I began lecturing in Musical Instrument Technology at Merton College (South London) in 1972. I taught Brass Instrument Repair and other Engineering subjects there, until I resigned my post in 2001. I am a qualified teacher, hold a professional qualification in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, and am the President of the National Association of Musical Instrument Repairers. I learnt much of what I know of repairing brass Instruments from the late Henry Keats, a fine repairer and maker of brass instruments with a family tradition in instrument making dating back to 1795. Playing the trombone has always been a very important part of my life, which I owe totally to my father Ken who bought me my first instrument when I was just nine years old.

Like many kids, I reacted against formal lessons. Thinking back though, he was quite clever; putting the horn in my toy cupboard. So I played with it like any other toy. Eventually learning enough to sit on the stairs and play simple tunes. Finally realising that to progress further, I would need his help. I play the tenor trombone in a local jazz band and occasionally in the Knighton town silver band. I still play the same horn that I bought from Bill Lewington in 1968 for £168. It is a faithful and beautiful sounding Conn 6H.

The latest challenge in my life is learning the drums; as the result of ‘sitting in’ (loosely speaking) with a rock band at a family members 30th birthday party.

Over the years I have had the privilege of working with and training many talented students from all parts of the world, many of whom have achieved great successes in the making and repairing of musical instruments. The small elite team of Instrument specialists here at the school, which I have the greatest respect and admiration for, are drawn from the very best in the musical instrument repair and making trades.

Location

The Courses are held in the idyllic Llangunllo School, originally the village school 1862 -1982. It is situated next to the Church overlooking the river Lugg and the wooded hills dotted with sheep. The location is quite remote, however we are situated in what must be one of the most beautiful parts of Mid-Wales. Llangunllo is just a few miles from the town of Knighton where there is an abundance of pubs and plenty of choice when eating out.

There is no accommodation at the school itself, but the surrounding towns, villages and hamlets offer a choice of accommodation to suit all pockets and tastes. You don't need to drive any distance to experience the beautiful Welsh countryside; it is outside our door. Rivers, Dams, lakes, even the sea on the West Wales coast.