Horn player buys musical ‘prodigy’ £8,500 euphonium

A teenage boy described as a musical “prodigy” has been gifted a new £8,500 euphonium by an elderly man with terminal cancer who was “moved to tears” by his playing.

Neythen, 13, from Liskeard, Cornwall, has won the award for most promising player at the Saltash Music Festival for four consecutive years. He met Brian Routledge, 92, when they played alongside each other in the Saltash Town Band.

The retired police officer, from Horrabridge, Devon, said he was “absolutely amazed” listening to Neythen and took “immense pleasure” in giving him the instrument—made by Dutch manufacturer Adams Musical Instruments—to help develop his talent.

Neythen described the “top-quality” euphonium as “a very generous gift”.

He plays for the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, as well as Bodmin Town Band and St Austell Youth Band.

Routledge said he realised Neythen’s exceptional ability when they swapped positions in the band:
“To suddenly hear a child of that age playing like he did… was a revelation. I couldn’t believe it.

“You’ve heard of these child prodigies? There’s one. There’s no two ways about that.”

When his cancer returned, Routledge said he began to reflect on how he wanted to use his savings.

“I realised that it’s probably the beginning of the end,” he said. “I thought: ‘Well, Neythen won’t want my Yamaha… but I’d still like to do something.’

“My boys—I have three sons—told me: ‘Dad, we’re all well off. For heaven’s sake, why don’t you spend your money?’”

Routledge added that he used to think the saying “it is better to give than to receive” was “rubbish”, but said he has now discovered “the immense pleasure” of giving.

Neythen said he and Routledge became close friends during their time playing together in the Saltash Town Band.

“It’s a very generous gift and something you can’t really thank enough for,” he said.

“It’s a top-grade instrument, so it’ll last 20, 30, even 40 years. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing—it opens up so many opportunities.

“It sounds much nicer than my old euphonium because it’s made to such a high quality.

“There’s a lot of customisation—you can have a brighter sound, a warmer sound, a fuller sound, a richer sound—whatever you want, really.”

Neythen took his first brass exam at 12, passing his grade eight baritone with distinction and a mark of 92%.

His music teacher, Ross Farr-Semmens, said:
“If you’re lucky as a tutor, you might get one student like Neythen in your whole career. Literally, there is only one Neythen.

“He stands out among everybody—it’s just fantastic teaching him.”

Neythen added:
“When I play music, it takes my mind off any problems… it helps you relax and escape from the world.”