YAMAHA OUTFITS STUDENTS WITH RELIABLE CLARINET

—Durability Meets Beauty in Affordable YCL-250 Bb Model—

YCL-250 Student Clarinet

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (March 19, 2002)—Choosing a clarinet that's affordable and low-maintenance—without sacrificing musical beauty—just got easier for beginning artists. The new YCL-250 Bb clarinet from Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, combines a tough resin body and durable Valentino pads with a focused tone and enhanced flexibility.

"Musicians who are just beginning to play deserve to start out with the best instrument in its class," says Kurt Witt, Wind Instrument product manager, Band & Orchestral Division, Yamaha Corporation of America. "The YCL-250 will enhance the sound of the beginning player. It's a strong instrument that requires minimal maintenance, important for both students and parents when making a significant purchasing decision."

The clarinet is made of ABS resin and features a matte finish. The barrel is a new design similar to that of Yamaha's renowned V Series, and the bell has a resonance chamber, which gives the instrument more projection. The Valentino pads are easier to repair and more stable in varying temperatures, which makes the instrument more dependable and sharply reduces upkeep costs.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, 3445 East Paris Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49512; call (616) 940-4900; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/band.