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About Us

Matthew Petrie, Bassoonist & Owner of Crook and Staple

Crook and Staple is a leading retailer of double reed instruments and accessories. Our founder, professional bassoonist Matthew Petrie, plays with major orchestras including Co-Principal Bassoon in the Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra of London, guest principal seat with Filarmonica Oltenia (Romania), Welsh Session Orchestra, Bristol Ensemble, The National Symphony Orchestra, Southern Sinfonia, Welsh Camerata, British Sinfonietta, studio recording with Sony Music, Centaur Records USA, and many others. Matthew is also the proud owner of a Mollenhauer contrabassoon, with which he regularly performs, including performances of the Schoenberg Chamber Symphony.

Matthew Petrie performing Elgar's Romance for Bassoon & Orchestra with the Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra of London

In addition to Matthew, our team includes highly knowledgeable and experienced double reed specialists, such as Eliza. Eliza is an accomplished musician who plays professionally on tours, musicals, and with the army reserve. All of our team are highly knowledgeable about double reed instruments and accessories and are always more than happy to help.

We introduced a Live Chat service on our website to provide rapid support and advice to customers around the world. This service has proven very successful, helping us to establish ourselves as one of the most knowledgeable and comprehensive support services in the world. We have received over 2,100 five-star reviews and have despatched towards 40,000 orders.

In addition to our prompt and helpful service, we offer a range of high-quality products and highly specialized double reed advice. Our website has a free resource section, including guides on oboe and bassoon reed adjustment, including a highly regarded oboe reed adjusting guide & bassoon reed adjusting guide. If there is a guide you would like to be written please get in touch with us!

Eliza manning the stool at the BIG Double Reed Day 2017

We look forward to helping every double reed player, whether you just need some friendly informed advice or need a double reed accessory delivering quickly to your door!

We have been featured on the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama's blog - have a read here!

 

BIG Double Reed Day 2016 - Crook and Staple Stand

Welsh Government Young Entrepreneur Award 2012

Crook and Staple has been recognized for its business excellence. In 2012, we were awarded a Welsh Government Young Entrepreneur Award. This prestigious award was presented by the Welsh Assembly Government, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and the University of Glamorgan Centre for Enterprise. The award has enabled us to establish unique and powerful partnership opportunities, and has helped us to become one of the most successful businesses of its kind in Europe.

The image on left: Crook and Staple attending the BIG Double Reed Day at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London