Marcus Reynolds - 

When Mick Rath first invited me to be one of his artists I was thrilled. He suggested meeting at his factory but it was Easter weekend and when I got there the door was locked. Eventually I found a tiny door open at the rear of the factory, went in and called out, 'Mick, are you there?' A voice replied, 'Over here' and soon I was sharing coffee with the great trombone maker. Mick gave me a welcoming hug and a couple of gifts...amazingly I had been accepted into the Rath family. Still overawed by the reception I had received I ventured to ask if I could work on a trombone with him. To my utter surprise he agreed. Mick said he would start work on my project after he had completed a couple of large outstanding orders. Little did I know how much would be involved. There were lead pipes to test, bell sizes to choose and decisions to make on metals -- red or yellow brass, silver nickel and others. Then there were various diameters of crooks and slides...the list was endless. I visited the factory several times to play for Mick and his team to show the progress of the prototype. At times I wondered if I had bitten off more than I could chew but gained an insight into how much effort and expertise that Mick applies to his instruments. If you have not played a Rath trombone, arrange a visit to the factory and have a day to remember. The attention you get from the team is superb. You don't have to be royalty to be given the red carpet treatment. After twenty-two months I got Mick's call -- my trombone was ready. I can't describe the excitement when I first saw our creation, the Rath R12. To my amazement Mick pointed out that it had my name engraved on the bell, as well as his own of course.

As many readers of BTS know, an accident ended my professional career, leaving me with what I now know to be Focal Dystonia. I have spent years learning to play using a different set of muscles and now teach students all over the world the methods I have learned through my rehabilitation.

I learned to use the lip muscles more efficiently although I am still left with scar tissue. So determined was I to overcome my problem that I kept dreaming of a device that would "hover" over my scar tissue although, as brass players know, such a thing is not really possible. One night, however, my brain must have been running overtime as I woke at 4am and scribbled down an idea that had forced its way into my subconscious. Next day I looked at the piece of paper with these various hieroglyphics and tried to decipher them. I needed help. You've got it, I went to see Mick. He studied my scribbles and said he would love to help make the device if only I could explain what it was and which was the right way up!

Eventually he gave me some springs, short lengths of tubing plus other bits and handed me a soldering iron. Two hours later -- after he had taken the soldering iron off me to do it himself -- the first prototype Stratos was born. It was ugly but, guess what, it worked!

Now three years later it is in production due to my students urging me to manufacture.

Over many years of knowing Mick Rath I have seen example after example of his generosity to others including players with special needs. Heartfelt thanks, Mick.