Blog

Back from a successful weekend at the Deutscher Orchestertag the Black Cat Music team returned to their offices in Tonbridge and Berlin.

Myke Millward said, “The conference was well supported and very instructive. It was great to discuss with delegates our comprehensive programe of high quality performance equipment including ergonomic orchestra chairs, conductor’s equipment, stage systems, music stands, stand lights and instrument and music storage systems.”

The Black Cat Music sponsored sausage stall proved extremely popular during breaks in a packed events programme.

Black Cat Music is the central distributor in Europe and Russia for Wenger Corporation. Wenger is world-renowned for the quality and durability of its music equipment, and all Wenger products carry a minimum 5-year warranty.

Black Cat Music sister company, MusicPracticeRooms.com has launched a slick new web site.

www.musicpracticerooms.com gets straight to the point with a list of benefits and quick links to three popular areas of application for sound isolation rooms.

• Schools and Colleges
• Music recording studio rooms
• Home practice rooms

For music teachers, artists and recording engineers interested in the concept of sound isolation rooms to provide both a pleasant acoustic environment in which to practice, rehearse and record, as well as containing the noise to the benefit of others nearby, then the video interviews provide great insight and endorsement. Learn of the successful experiences of how existing users have not only solved previous noise pollution problems, but also made greater use of their space, accommodated more musicians and run more classes.

There is plenty of technical data here too including specifications and example floor plans, plus news, case studies and contact links to request a quotation. And if you are not ready right now and want to keep informed of new developments, then you can follow on Twitter or sign up for a quarterly email newsletter.

Taking their marks, ready for the Music Mark conference, being staged this year in Daventry, are members of the Black Cat Music team.

The Music Mark conference - "Progression in Music Education; Further Still, Yet Further” – coincides with St Cecilia's Day and takes place on 21 and 22 November at Staverton Park, Daventry in Northamptonshire. Attendees will hear from some of the country's leading music educators, schools leaders and music industry specialists. “The Music Mark Annual Conference 2014 is a two-day event which offers a forum to debate, share expertise and exchange ideas for developing the national picture of music education for children and young people”, advise the event organisers.

St Cecilia, the patron saint of music is celebrated on November 22nd and Black Cat Music’s marketing manager, Alice Dagger revealed that Cecilia is one of her middle names. Alice, who plays the piano, saxophone and enjoys singing said, “I reckon that this may be a reason I have always had a leaning towards music.” And Alice is not alone in her passion for music, several other members of staff play in bands or sing in choirs too.

Apart from celebrating St Cecilia’s day, the Black Cat Music team will also be presenting a comprehensive range of of high quality performance equipment including ergonomic orchestra chairs, stage systems, music stands, stand lights and instrument and music storage systems. Black Cat Music is the central distributor in Europe and Russia for Wenger Corporation. Wenger is world-renowned for the quality and durability of its music equipment, and all Wenger products carry a minimum 5-year warranty.

Currywurst sausages are on the menu in Berlin next weekend thanks to the backing of Black Cat Music who are exhibiting at Deutscher Orchestertag.

Members of the Black Cat Music team, drawn from the UK and Berlin offices, are not just sponsoring the wurst stall, but will also be presenting a comprehensive range of of high quality performance equipment including ergonomic orchestra chairs, stage systems, music stands, stand lights and instrument and music storage systems.

The goal of the 12th annual conference for German orchestra managers which takes place in Berlin on 2nd and 3rd November, is to promote the exchange of ideas and articulate the interests of more than 150 German orchestras.

Black Cat Music is the central distributor in Europe and Russia for Wenger Corporation. Wenger is world-renowned for the quality and durability of its music equipment, and all Wenger products carry a minimum 5-year warranty.

With rehearsals getting under way for end of term concerts, now is a great time to order music folders at a ten per cent discount , but don’t delay because this offer must close at the end of October.

Imagine the visual impact at your Christmas concerts that can be created by a set of smart new matching music folders to give a great identity to your orchestra, chorus, band or choir. The hard-wearing leatherette covers enhanced by hand stitching and brass-bound corners are sure of a long life protecting your music and keeping it together. Choose your style and size, whether for orchestra or choir, some with options such as expanding pockets or retaining strings, pencil pockets and windows. And there is a choice of colour – Concert Black, Royal Blue or Cardinal Red.

Take advantage of the October deal now while prices are reduced.

Nominations for the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence close on Friday 24th October. Once again Black Cat Music and MusicPracticeRooms.com are sponsoring the Lifetime Achievement Award. Finalists for the category will be announced on 21st November.

The 2015 Awards will be presented at a gala evening at The Grange St Pauls Hotel in London, on the first night of Music Education Expo (12 March 2015). “Created to celebrate excellence in music education, the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence are now in their third year, and accepting nominations for 10 award categories.

Nominations are encouraged from all sections of the public, and will be accepted until Friday 24 October 2014. The shortlist will be announced online in mid-November and in the December issue of Music Teacher magazine.

Acoustic experts Russel Todd and Christopher Blair introduce a work session at the Tobin Center, San Antonio where the audience become the ‘absorption factor’ as the sound surrounds and envelopes.

Turn the speakers up for this one!

The Black Cat Music team is looking forward to attending the forthcoming Deutscher Orchestertag 2014 in Berlin next month.

The goal of the 12th annual conference for German orchestra managers which takes place in Berlin on 2nd and 3rd November, is to promote the exchange of ideas and articulate the interests of more than 150 German orchestras. Opportunities for discussion and information on the latest developments and strategies for pricing are encompassed in the conference sessions. Cultural and political issues will also be up for discussion.The central theme of this year’s conference will be concert promotion and how to grow audiences.

Delegates will also have an opportunity to improve their leadership skills. And, as before, Mr. Rolf Bolwin the German Stage Association will update attendees on the latest developments within the German orchestra scene.

Black Cat Music will exhibit a wide range of high quality performance equipment including ergonomic orchestra chairs, stage systems, music stands, stand lights and instrument and music storage systems.

Black Cat Music is the central distributor in Europe and Russia for Wenger Corporation. Wenger is world-renowned for the quality and durability of its music equipment, and all Wenger products carry a minimum 5-year

warranty.

Assembling Wenger 3 or 4-Step Choral Risers is a piece of cake thanks to a range of explanatory videos from Wenger.

For owners or prospective buyers of Signature Risers the steps through the assembly stages right from removing the shipping packaging to the completed system. Mostly a job for one person with a few basic tools, the Signature Risers are lightweight and easy to move around yet offer excellent stability. A back rail gives added safety for performers and it all folds down to a compact size for storage. Elegant 3 or 4 step risers that fold and roll wherever you need them are the easy way to look as professional as you sound. Plus they all come with a five year warranty.

Want to experience how your music sounds in different venues? Then tune in to Wenger’s VAE technology in a SoundLok® Sound-Isolation Practice Room.

VAE technology now offers more realistic acoustical simulations, creating the sensation of being enveloped by the sound and enabling musicians to hear themselves in various performance venues. With the option of selecting from up to

nine different performance environments, ranging from a small recital hall to a cathedral, students can quickly learn how to adapt to performing in larger spaces. The smart Virtual Acoustical Environment (VAE) technology can duplicate the acoustics of a broad range of performance venues. Features such as 
immediate ‘Record and Playback’ offers feedback during the practice session, or to record the session to take to the next lesson for review with the music teacher.
Upload’ and ‘Download’ simulates practice with a band or choir in the practice room simply by uploading accompaniments.



It all adds up to a major aid to performance preparation and rehearsal, while changing from one preset acoustic environment to another is as quick and easy as pressing a button.