Boosey & Co.

The foundational roots of the legendary Boosey name date back to the 1760s, when John Boosey established a modest bookshop in London. Control of the family trade eventually passed to his son, Thomas Boosey, who successfully managed the enterprise alongside his own son, also named Thomas. It was this younger Thomas who strategically branched out from general literature, establishing a dedicated, separate sheet music publishing branch under the name T. Boosey & Co., which later evolved into Boosey & Company.

In 1851, the firm expanded its commercial horizons beyond publishing and entered the manufacturing sector, beginning with the production of high-quality woodwind instruments. A major milestone occurred in 1868 when Boosey & Co. purchased the manufacturing facility and assets of Henry Distin. Because Distin was a legendary pioneer who had successfully introduced the saxhorn family to England, this acquisition immediately propelled Boosey & Co. into the forefront of brasswind fabrication, making them a dominant supplier for military and civilian brass bands across the globe.

In 1930, in response to the challenging economic climate of the Great Depression, Boosey & Co. merged with its fiercest London-based manufacturing and publishing rival, Hawkes & Son, to form the corporate giant Boosey & Hawkes. While the historic brand remains a powerhouse in the global music scene today, its contemporary operations reflect a complete return to its publishing origins. In 2003, the company officially divested and sold off its entire musical instrument manufacturing division, ensuring that the modern iteration of the firm operates solely as a premier music publisher.