Testimonials

Principal Trumpet, Honolulu Symphony Orchestra
www.honolulusymphonymusicians.org

Ted, I received your mouthpiece and it’s great! Thanks for such a great product. I have found some great uses for it(Sparx 2DV). Believe it or not, I even use it for the opening of Schumann # 2 and the Post Horn Solo for Mahler # 3.

Mike Zonshine

www.normanengel.net
Soprano Cornet, Hannaford Street Silver Band
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra

The new SPARX 2B ‘soloist’ cornet mouthpiece is truly a marvel. I have experimented with many cornet mouthpieces and have found this one to have both the tone and ease of playing I have been searching for. It has that true cornet sound and plays in tune throughout its range.

I have been looking for a mouthpiece that compliments what I play on the trumpet. I can move back and fourth between both instruments without a problem now.

Thanks to Ted and his team at GR for creating a great mouthpiece!

Norman Engel

Trumpet, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

As an orchestral trumpet player, I’ve always found the B flat cornet a bit of a challenge, especially when it comes to playing a marathon concert in a brass band setting. I find the Sparx Cornet mouthpieces iron out many of the cornet’s “wrinkles”, especially the prickly intonation in the upper register, without sacrificing a true cornet sound. Since I’ve started using Ted’s mouthpieces, I find I’m eating better, sleeping better, and am generally a much better person! Thanks Ted!

James Gardiner

Former Bandmaster, New York Staff Band

I am enjoying my Sparx mouthpiece. It is responsive throughout the range and gives me the cornet sound I’m looking for better than any other mouthpiece I’ve worked with.

(Ron plays the Sparx 4E on soprano cornet)

Ronald Waiksnoris

Principal Cornet, Williams Fairey Band – National Champions of Great Britain 2002

I can thoroughly recommend the full range of the Sparx mouthpieces to any player. They are built with excellence in mind by someone who has an intimate knowledge of the needs of brass band cornet players requirements. Having the right mouthpiece to do the right job is essential for a player such as myself, and I have been thoroughly impressed with what the Sparx range has to offer.

Each model has been designed to ensure clean and clear production whilst maintaining a flexibility that the player will find invaluable. The tonal quality produced is superb and gives the player and strong, rich, traditional brass band sound throughout the whole range. It is beautifully balanced and engineered, and this allows the player to perform in comfort, prolonging endurance and stamina.

From the young player just starting out to the seasoned professional, Sparx mouthpieces provide the player with the ideal tool to improve and develop, whilst enhancing the traditional aspects brass band cornet playing which audiences so enjoy.

I am delighted to be able to endorse such a fine product.

Ian Porthouse

Red Wing, Minnesota
We love our Sparx Cornet Moutphiece. Great mouthpiece!
https://www.sheldontheatrebrassband.org/

Music Director, Oakland Brass Band
www.oaklandbrassband.com

Since its inception, the cornet section of the Oakland Brass Band has been striving to deliver a warm sound with good blend. Being a US-based band with the typical ?trumpet-tone? mentality instilled in many of the players, this has occasionally proved a bit of a challenge. Recently, some of our cornetists have begun using the Sparx mouthpiece in their playing. Both tone and intonation have improved as a result. Thanks, Ted, for making such a fine product available to the brass band community!

Neil Barlow

Formerly with Canadian Brass, Minnesota Orchestra
www.CanadianBrass.com
www.CharlesLazarus.com

The Sparx cornet mouthpieces are a great choice for those who enjoy an authentic deep cup cornet sound. With evenness of sound and intonation that only Gary Radtke can craft, these 1st rate mouthpieces are a must try.

Charles Lazarus

Trumpet, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

I had an opportunity to use my new 2C Sparx mouthpiece this past weekend. It actually turned out great! I was in a pit situation, very little rest, lots of tension, demanding. Up came a cornet solo, and the conductor needed a “special” sound. It played with a robust, yet warm sound that was just perfect here. I went back and compared it to my previous mouthpiece (V.B.) and confirmed my suspicions – the 2C gave me improved intonation and I found the sound bigger and easier to work with. Thanks Ted!

Jim Spragg

Canadian Staff Band

The Sparx 4B has given me everything I’d ever wanted from playing a cornet without any compromises. The greatest benefit to the Sparx 4B is the availability of a dark, rich cornet sound you would want from a traditional cornet mouthpiece but with the ability to provide sizzle and brilliance in the sound when needed. It is by far the most comfortable mouthpiece I have ever played and where I found the Denis Wick 4B and Bach 5C mouthpieces to fail; the Sparx 4B succeeds.

Thanks so much for such a wonderful mouthpiece Ted!

Geoffrey Ho
Canadian Staff Band