Blog

Music Education Expo organizer, Rhinegold has announced that Registration opens 1st September.

The 2015 show takes place from 12th to 13th March at the Barbican in London. Black Cat Music and sister company MusicPracticeRooms.com are both Platinum Sponsors and will be exhibiting and also participating in the associated conference.

Registration is free, so make a note to sign up next week. We look forward to seeing you at the show.

- Ends –

During September, Black Cat Music is offering 10% discount on their best selling Classic 50 music stands in a special ‘Back to School’ promotion. Quantity discount breaks allow purchase prices as low as £37.12 when purchased in quantities of 50 or more. Schools and colleges looking to equip with new music stands designed for robust and regular handling can take advantage of this great offer throughout the month.

Already a top seller, the popular Classic 50 Music Stand is tough enough to handle the hardships of regular classroom use thanks to a formula of advanced polymers offering inherent tensile strength that will not bend or dent like metal stands. Its elegant design makes it quiet and rattle-free during performances. And the scratch resistant desk surface also incorporates a unique recess for keeping pencils in place. The patented one-hand height adjustment of the music desk is simplicity itself, requiring no screw or locking collar adjustments. To learn more watch the Classic 50 put through its paces at YouTube.com

For full details on the September offer can be found on the Black Cat Music web site.

How the body is aligned can have a dramatic impact on musical performance. A suitably designed posture chair available from Black Cat Music can provide this essential support.

The human body is more naturally suited for standing, but in rehearsals and perfornmances musicians are usually seated. To improve the situation when seated, Wenger designed the posture chair to mimic the standing position. For players of wind instruments holding a good posture, with the instrument correctly held, opens up the chest cavity allowing for good breathing. Sitting in properly designed chairs then enables the musician to focus on technique by using less energy and enabling better concentration.

Take a look at our video.

Described as the ultimate choir folder, every element of Black Cat Music’s Mastersinger choral folder has been designed with the convenience of the chorister in mind. Christine Bennett commenting on our Facebook page seems to agree.

Christine wrote, “When you sent me a sample a couple of years ago I didn't bother even trying it out, at first, because I thought it looked too fussy. Eventually, I thought I might as well give it a try... Then I realised that a lot of thought and experience has gone into the design. I bought one for myself, and recommended it to others, of whom at least one also bought one, and then several of us clubbed together (not much to pay for each of us) to buy one as a gift for a young singer about to start at college. I'm very pleased with mine.” Christine Bennett added, “I always try to give credit where it's due: I feel it gives me a better ground if ever I want to complain! ... Which I certainly haven't had to do so far.”

The Mastersinger choir folder incorporates an impressive number of useful features within its 254mm x 318mm concert black covers. Firstly it is crafted to last with custom stitching, brass corners and a metal reinforced hinge all contributing to durability. Then there are some neat features the choral singer will appreciate such as the hand strap which enables you to hold your folder comfortably with one hand and follow directions more easily. Or the inner cross-strap to keep the folder open at just the right angle and prevent music sliding out. And while you are ordering your Mastersinger folder, why not add a final personal touch by adding gold-blocking of your choir’s name or logo. Take a look at our video. to see for yourself.

Ends –

Now available in metric sizes as standard. That’s the latest news about StageTek from Wenger. StageTek offers limitless configuration flexibility and multi-level staging that redefines the standard for strength, durability, ease of use, safety and flexibility. Now deck modules are being manufactured in metric modular sizes of 1 x 1m and 1 x 2m. This will be welcome news for Black Cat Music customers who are more familiar with using metric measurements.

Based on over fifty years of developing staging for events, performance and music and arts education, Wenger has developed StagTek which can be configured to different shapes and heights to suit the application and venue. By making the legs, ‘plug and play’, intuitive to install and affordable, a variety of heights and configurations are possible that folding stage systems simply cannot do.

Decks are lighter and faster to set up too, easy to lift and handle and what’s more significantly exceed the industry standards for loadings and stability. Lighter and safer to lift and carry StageTek is also easy to move on carts and store away when not in used. All this and the best warranty on the market today. Take a look at the video.

- Ends –

When it comes to installing our sound isolating rooms the team at Black Cat Music like to keep on ‘top of things.’ The recently reported installation at Haileybury College took the installation team to new heights because the room was to be constructed on a top floor location.

Marketing manager, Alice Dagger said, “We are proud of the care and effort put in by our Music Practice Rooms install team, who always strive to reach 'new heights' of excellence.” Here are a few more pictures taken on the day the room was delivered on site.

Sound Isolating Rooms are designed to create an ideal rehearsal space with a climate controlled interior environment for the comfort of the musicians, or singers, in which they can practice without their music causing disturbance to other classes in the college. The balanced acoustics within the room create a quality space, which is also suitable for recording purposes. The modular design allows for a wide range of sizes to be constructed, from accommodating a solo singer to a choir or a band. As needs and space allocations change, the sound isolating rooms can simply be re-located when required.

- Ends –

The Wenger fixed audience seating range has recently been extended. Available from Black Cat Music, fixed audience seating is ergonomically designed with lumbar support and of superior quality for a long service life.

The rounded ‘waterfall’ seat front promotes improved leg comfort while the back cushion is shaped to help maintain a natural lumbar curve for back comfort. High quality upholstery and stitching with fewer seams provides durability and comfort. Thanks to a sound dampening spring, self-rising seats automatically return quietly to an upright position without distraction to the audience during a performance. High-end, hardwood veneer seat bottoms, backs and end panels ensure durability. They are available with a variety of veneers and stains to aesthetically relate to architectural requirements. Likewise smooth finished wood arm rests offer lasting good looks and all-performance comfort. Seat width otions range from 482mm to 584mm and can be supplied in a choice of stain-resistent upholstery fabrics and patterns. Individual seats for Special Needs compaion seating equipped with a wheel bracket for easy placement are available as options.

Accessories include aisle lighting, seat and aisle number plates or donor plates.