Bob Paxman Young Horn Players Fund

  When Bob Paxman died in July 2011, his family wanted to create a fund in his name which would help the young horn players of the future progress in their studies.

To launch this fund, a concert was held at the Royal Academy of Music, featuring a line-up of some of the world’s finest players who all came to pay tribute to one of the most influential horn designers and builders of all time. The players involved all donated their time, the proceeds were put towards the fund and this marked the birth of the ‘Bob Paxman Young Horn Players Fund’, a non-profit making charity run by Bob’s Daughters, Sylvia Cresswell (Secretary), Lynda Anderson (Treasurer) along with Tim Jones (Chairman) Principal Horn London Symphony Orchestra.

The aim of the BPYHPF is to biannually offer a Paxman horn to a deserving young player. The first recipients were students at UK conservatoires, many of whom have gone on to forge successful careers as professional players in the UK and abroad.

In 2021, it was decided to trial a change in format and the latest award was made to Hampshire Music Service. This enabled them to offer a horn for a young player coming through the system, who might otherwise not be able to get access to such a high-quality horn. Hampshire received their horn in March 2021 and it has already been loaned to a young player who recently joined the HCYO.

Moving forward, the BPYHPF will offer a new horn to a different UK Music Service every two years. The award will be open to all UK Music Services and any wishing to be considered for the award should contact Sylvia Cresswell on sylv.bpyhpf@gmail.com

It is hoped that the BPYHPF will enable some of the next generation of young horn players who might otherwise struggle to find a suitable instrument, the opportunity to progress and fulfil their potential. Whether recipients progress to play professionally, or remain amateur players, the Paxman family are proud to support the development of talented horn players in the UK.