Portable staging makes big step forward

Portable staging that is easy to transport and store, yet is strong, safe and configurable into any combination is setting new standards thanks to the new Wenger StageTek™ system. 

StageTek™ system available from Black Cat Music is a refined smart staging system resulting from extensive research, engineering and technical advancements in materials and manufacturing. These technical advances have resulted in a staging system that is 20% lighter, stronger, easier to handle and faster to set up. 

Affordably priced, when it comes to stretching investment across multiple needs like seated risers and performance stages, this new system has it all. But there is no compromise on performance, comfortably exceeding required standards on three critical loading capacity measures for uniform load, point load and dynamic load. Plus it is easy to handle, lighter to lift and with nice smooth edges for safety it is really easy to set up too. Anyone can set up StageTek in minutes all without the need for any tools. 

Configurations including single or multi-level stages, thrust stages, choral risers, runways and many more options become possible in both scale and shape facilitated by a selection of different height, ‘plug-in’ legs. These simple to use, economical but strong plug-in legs secured by hand-turned locking knobs make hundreds of configurations possible to meet a wide variety of needs. 

A video filmed on-site with one of Wenger’s US customers, shows how easy it is to adjust the straps deck-to-deck and/or use the clip attachment. No tools required! The show choir are singing, jumping and dancing on the stage and demonstrate just how solid are the decks, especially with the center 5th leg attachment. 

When it is time to dismantle, legs can be stored on the underside of the deck and panels quickly loaded on to a storage and transport cart that fits through standard door sizes. Designed to save as much as 50% in storage space compared to other systems, StageTek can be wheeled to a storage place or transported to another venue. 

StageTek will now replace the Wenger Versalite staging system. 

Count down to Music Education Expo

There are now less than two months until the second Music Education Expo opens at The Barbican Centre, London on 7th February 2014. 

Sponsors Black Cat Music and MusicPracticeRooms.com are busy planning their exhibition stand [E19] which will feature a range of products from education equipment specialists, Wenger, plus a fully functional sound isolating room. 

Online registration for the event has now been announced by organisers, Rhinegold who say. “By registering online before the event, you will get FREE access to the Expo's 50+ seminars, workshops and debates, and the 150+ exhibitors who will be showcasing their best and most useful products, as well as the chance to network with up to 2,500 of your peers.” 

Follow Black Cat Music’s countdown to Music Education Expo on this news feed or any of our social media channels as more details become available.

Forget the Christmas lights – stock up on LED stand lights

It’s a great Christmas 10per cent discount offer from Black Cat Music this month. A dual-headed, bright white LED light that simply clips on to any music stand to provide even illumination of sheet music. 

The ingenious music stand light with adjustable twin goose-neck lighting heads, packs the illuminating power of 4 bright white LEDs that thanks to economic operation give extra long battery life. Supplied complete with 3 x AAA batteries the stand light is ready to use straight out of the box. So no disappointment Christmas Day if you buy them as a gift. Even better, there is also the alternative option of using the included USB power cable supplied in the pack. How about that? 

And on offer at just £10.79 plus VAT and post and packing, they are a steal. Now is a great time to brighten up the orchestra pit at an affordable price. Or buy one as a great stocking-filler for the musician in the family. But hurry, there are not many shopping days left. 

Black Cat Music meet friends from FMS at Manchester Music Show

Brigitte Downs & Martin Loft

“It was wonderful to meet our friends from FMS,” said Brigitte Downs of Black Cat Music after the company exhibited at a lively Music Show staged at Manchester Central last weekend. 

For Brigitte and colleague Martin Loft the Music Show was a great opportunity to meet customers in the north-west and present the latest developments in music education equipment products. Black Cat Music enjoys exclusive distributorship of Wenger Corporation’s extensive product range - acknowledged as the largest manufacturer of fully-guaranteed staging and music performance equipment in the world. 

Music Practice Room really made a difference for Trent College

The installation of a large 6m x 4.8m Music Practice Room at Trent College dramatically transformed the facilities available to the school’s music department. The new structure provided a dedicated percussion room located in the existing music school which allowed the percussion teacher to hold lessons without disturbing other music classes taking place in the rest of the facility. 

Director of Music, Steven Henderson, explained: “As soon as it was installed, the percussion department could see that it was going to make an immediate difference. The percussion teacher, who spends four days of the week inside the practice room teaching, just loved it straight away.” Steven continued: “Now we can have string quartet rehearsals in one room and percussion going on in another room, and various other things happening at the same time as each other, and that’s really made a difference for us. It was installed in a few days and we were able to get in and start using it straight away.” 

Overall, Steven was delighted with the immediate difference the new Music Practice Room made to his Music Department: “It provided a space which worked really well, it answered the question really quickly, and it offers me flexibility for the future, and those are the three key criteria that I needed it to meet.” Black Cat Music’s sound-isolating music practice rooms offer a solution that controls noise at source, providing an ideal rehearsal space for musicians and singers. The modular design allows for a wide range of sizes to accommodate musicians from a solo singer to a choir or a band. The rooms can be relocated, if and when major changes in use and allocation of space are planned. For comfort and to create a pleasant environment, the rooms are supplied fitted with integral lighting and fan-assisted ventilation. Thanks to balanced internal acoustics they also make excellent recording studios with high sound quality. 

Have you signed up to save when buying music education equipment?

At Black Cat Music we know that budgets are under pressure everywhere. That’s why we wanted to remind customers of our Education Discount Programme, where you can save money each time you buy products for your education establishment. 

It’s simple, free to join and you can start saving 5% on all standard products purchased for schools, colleges and universities – in fact any education establishment located in the United Kingdom. Just log on to the Black Cat Music web site to complete the online application form. We will then send you a confirmation email and your discount code to use each time you make a purchase of standard priced products. 

And don’t forget to check your post, because there will be a limited edition Black Cat Music coffee mug on its way to you as a welcome gift. Look out too for our special monthly offers. As a member of our Education Group you will enjoy previews of these offers typically up to a week before everyone else – great news when stocks of discounted products are limited. Finally you can follow us and join in the conversation on Twitter, Our blog and Facebook for all the latest buzz, news, our take on inspiring music and a weekly fun spot. 

Get a new set of stands plus move and store cart ready for the Christmas concert season

A package offer from Black Cat Music that proved so popular before, is back for November. As a special promotion, 20 x Classic 50 Music Stands plus a large size Move & Store Cart are offered by Black Cat Music with a saving of £122. 

The package normally priced at £1,215 is on offer throughout November at just £1,093.50 plus VAT and delivery. Schools and colleges looking to equip with new music stands designed for robust and regular handling can take advantage of this great offer to be ready in time for Christmas music events. 

Already a top seller, the popular Classic 50 Music Stand doesn’t compromise on a design that 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 - a design that also makes it quiet and rattle-free during performances. And the scratch resistant desk surface also incorporates a unique recess for keeping pencils in place. When the performance, rehearsal or class is over, stands can be stacked on the easy to load Move & Store Cart for transport and convenient, compact storage. 

For full details on the November offer can be found on the Black Cat Music web site where ords can be placed using the Discount Code “CLASSICCOMBI” at checkout. 

Black Cat Music customers half price entry to Manchester Music Show

It’s half price for Black Cat Music customers attending the Music Show, which runs alongside the new Music Mark conference and takes place at Manchester Central, 15 & 16th November. 

Great savings of 50 per cent are on offer for “on-the-day ticket prices” for Black Cat Music customers using promotion code “BCM3009” who will have the discount applied at checkout. 

There will be a great opportunity for customers in the north-west to meet the staff from Black Cat Music and examine the latest music education equipment products. Music Show event supporters, Black Cat Music, are planning to exhibit a number of products at the show selected from its comprehensive programme of music performance equipment. Examples include music stands, staging, choral risers, music folders and conductors' equipment. Black Cat Music enjoys exclusive distributorship of Wenger Corporation’s extensive product range - acknowledged as the largest manufacturer of fully-guaranteed staging and music performance equipment in the world. 

The event also offers the chance to discuss any noise problems with experts from Black Cat Acoustics and sister company MusicPracticeRooms.com, who will also be in attendance at the show. In addition the company’s Mark Rasmussen and Martin Loft will be running a workshop – Simple Solutions to Noise Problems - scheduled to take place at 1.30 pm on Friday 15th November. Black Cat Acoustics provides authorative guidance to steer anyone experiencing noise problems quickly towards pin-pointing a solution. Or, if preventing noise related nuisance is the issue, then sound isolated music practice rooms can provide the answer. Discover also the additional benefits these custom built self-contained, air-conditioned acoustic spaces provide for the comfort of musicians and sound quality, not to mention the improved utilisation of space that can be achieved. 

For further information about the The Music Showand for the latest announcements visit http://music-show.co.uk/cms/. 

Time to re-order music folders with your own crest

If your choir, music group or school has previously ordered music or choral folders with your own crest or logo from Black Cat Music, now is a good time to order extra copies in time for Christmas. 

When we create a die to imprint your crest on music folders using our traditional gold-blocking technique we keep the die ready for future use. Just give us a call if you need to add to your set of folders. 

If you haven’t previously ordered from us you might like to know that Black Cat Music offer a gold-blocking service on all of our choral and orchestral folders, so you can add your logo or school crest to the front of the folder. We can also add gold-blocked lettering, and many customers choose to gold-block the instrument name or number in the corner of the music folder. Our choir folders and band folders from Black Cat Music are elegant, high-quality music folders to help you organise your sheet music. Whether you belong to a professional orchestra, chorus, school band or church choir, our choral and orchestral folders will give a sense of identity to your music group. 

We want your festive music themed photos for our Christmas card

Black Cat Music is looking for a great image to feature on the company’s 2013 Christmas card by inviting entries to a photo competition. 

Announcing the Black Cat Music Christmas Card Competition, Sales Manager Teresa Rogers said, “This is a great opportunity to put your school, college, music group, choir, band or orchestra in the spotlight this Christmas. The competition is open to anyone involved in music and entries can be submitted by either individuals, or on behalf of music groups. With a theme of ‘Music at Christmas’ there is plenty of scope for some exciting images. The winning photo, selected by a judging panel will feature on the official Black Cat Music 2013 Christmas card and the winning photographer will receive a voucher for £150 to be used when purchasing products from Black Cat Music.” 

So whether you are a choir of angel voices, male voice choir or barbershop, soloist, band or orchestra, it is time to bring out the digital camera and create a winning entry. Church bells, tubular bells, jingle bells or cute black cats in santa hats – whatever your creative concept, send in your entries, but hurry the closing date is 25th October.

Photos entered in the competition should be 300 dpi and emailed to marketing@blackcatmusic.com . Please provide full contact details with your email including the name of the photographer, the music group, email contact, daytime telephone number and full postal address. The winner will be asked to assign copyright and confirm anyone featured in the image has given written individual approval for publication by Black Cat Music. 

Four important considerations in planning a music suite

When it comes to planning facilities for music education there are some important differences to consider compared to the needs required for teaching other subjects. Because of the number of music students and the physical nature of music education, music activities require more space, greater flexibility, and more fresh air than other classrooms. Planning the spaces and equipment requirements is critical to a successful outcome. 

Depending on the scope and ambitions for the project the planning team will typically include the head of music working with the bursar, facilities manager and for new build or major refurishment projects, an architect as well. We talk collectively in terms of all the rooms and spaces used for music education as the Music Suite. 

The Music Suite is a complex environment with many different areas and unique dynamics. Learning within the Music Suite is accomplished by critical listening where design success will be measured by how well teachers and students can hear within this special environment. Every aspect of the rehearsal and practice areas must be designed to promote clear hearing. As a result, the acoustical considerations of music areas are the top priority. Sound isolation, quieter mechanical systems, additional room volume, and other specialized needs inevitably make music suite construction costs per square metre higher than that of other school teaching areas. 

Four critical factors for an effective Music Suite 

There are four critical factors that will determine the effectiveness of your music facility:- 

• Acoustics - how well your facility promotes critical listening is directly proportional to how effective it will be. 
• Floor plan - the layout of your Music Suite determines whether it is effective, ineffective, or even unusable. 
• Storage - storage not only affects equipment, but also acoustics, traffic flow and security.
• Equipment - choosing appropriate equipment is the final step toward achieving a successful Music Suite. 

Acoustics 

The study of music is dependent upon the ability to hear and learn differences in intonation, dynamics, articulation and balance. This skill, called critical listening, can be developed only in a learning environment with suitable acoustics. To ensure an acoustical environment that promotes critical listening and effective music education, your facility’s design must pay close attention to the following elements: 

• Cubic volume and room shape. 
• Sound isolation between rooms. 
• ;Acoustical treatments to walls, ceilings and furnishings 
• Suitably designed mechanical systems. 

Floor plan 

What is true in other areas of the school is not necessarily so in the Music Suite. The Music Suite requires more space, per student, than any other area of your school, and your floor plan must reflect that. Space is only one concern. An effective Music Suite design must successfully integrate the following elements: 

• Floor space
 
• Traffic flow 
• Access to related areas
 
• Teacher monitoring 
• Flexibility for multiple activities and future needs

Storage 

Storage needs in the Music Suite can be considerable and varied, and your floor plan must provide adequate storage for instruments and music. Because most music equipment is fragile, expensive and prone to theft and vandalism, storage spaces must be durable and secured. You’ll also want to make these vital elements your main concern throughout the process: 

• Types of storage 
• Traffic flow 
• Security 

Music Education Equipment 

The final step in planning your Music Suite is choosing equipment specially designed for your music activities. And although furniture and equipment are normally not included in the general building contract, your advanced planning will make sure you have a budget large enough to purchase the equipment you need and equip the Music Suite with everything required for quality music education. 

Black Cat Music to sponsor National Concert Band Symposium in 2014

Black Cat Music recently announced sponsorship for the 2014 National Concert Band Symposium. 

The NCBS event is scheduled to take place on Saturday 5 July 2014 at the University of Kent in Canterbury. The day comprises a Contest, Exhibition, Educational Events and an evening Gala Concert where awards will be presented. Further details at http://www.concertbandsymposium.co.uk/about/sponsors/

Announcing the sponsorship tie up with NCBS, Black Cat Music General Manager, Teresa Rogers said, “Black Cat Music is delighted to be a sponsor of this exciting event. Black Cat Music, are planning to exhibit a number of products selected from the company’s comprehensive programme of music performance equipment. Examples include music stands, staging, choral risers, music folders and conductors' equipment. Black Cat Music enjoys exclusive distributorship of Wenger Corporation’s extensive product range - acknowledged as the largest manufacturer of fully-guaranteed staging and music performance equipment in the world.” 

The NCBS aims to bring the very best of concert band music to the widest possible audiences while giving bands the opportunity to perform significant concert band works to the highest standards possible. The NCBS seeks to extend its aims through commissioning new works for concert band and inviting more bands to participate in the event. 

Discounted Director’s Stand in October

The Black Cat Music 10 per cent discount deal, this month applies to the Wenger Director’s Music Stand. 

Classically styled and built to a high quality standard, as might be expected of a Wenger product, the Director’s Music stand during October can be purchased at this special price for one month only. Reassuringly priced at £323.10 (plus VAT and delivery) during this campaign, now is a great time to buy. 

The transparent polycarbonate, detachable desk is tough. Tough enough to resist damage, heavy scratching or chipping. Paired to a durable metal base finished with a tough powder coated paint finish, with foot pedal activated height control - this product is a great investment. And it carries the Wenger 5 year warranty. 

Visit Black Cat Music stand at ABRSM Conference at the weekend

Black Cat Music will be exhibiting at the ABRSM Conference, which is taking place at the Mermaid Conference and Events Centre, London on 5th October 2013. 

Examples of music posture chairs and music stands will be on display, just a small selection of music performance equipment available from Black Cat Music’s comprehensive range. A range, which includes music stands, ergonomic posture chairs, choir folders, staging and conductor’s equipment. And if it is acoustic solutions to deal with noise problems you are looking for, then why not call by the stand and talk to Martin Loft for information on acoustic treatments and sound isolating rooms for music practice. 

ABRSM conferences feature a broad range of practical and thought-provoking sessions for instrumental and vocal teachers of all levels. With a focus on the revised marking criteria, this year's ABRSM conference is billed to provide an “ideal opportunity to explore new repertoire, resources and teaching ideas through exciting presentations and practical workshops and through networking with other teachers.”

Big step forward in portable staging

Portable staging that is easy to transport and store, yet is strong, safe and configurable into any combination is setting new standards thanks to the Wenger StageTek system. 

A new StageTek video filmed on-site with one of Wenger’s US customers, shows how easy it is to adjust the straps deck-to-deck and/or use the clip attachment. No tools required! The show choir are singing, jumping and dancing on the stage and demonstrate just how solid are the decks, especially with the center 5th leg attachment. 

StageTek™ system available from Black Cat Music is a refined smart staging system resulting from extensive research, engineering and technical advancements in materials and manufacturing. These technical advances have resulted in a staging system that is 20% lighter, stronger, easier to handle and faster to set up. 

Affordably priced, when it comes to stretching investment across multiple needs like seated risers and performance stages, this new system has it all. But there is no compromise on performance, comfortably exceeding required standards on three critical loading capacity measures for uniform load, point load and dynamic load. Plus it is easy to handle, lighter to lift and with nice smooth edges for safety it is really easy to set up too. Anyone can set up StageTek in minutes all without the need for any tools. 

Configurations including single or multi-level stages, thrust stages, choral risers, runways and many more options become possible in both scale and shape facilitated by a selection of different height, ‘plug-in’ legs. These simple to use, economical but strong plug-in legs secured by hand turned locking knobs make hundreds of configurations possible to meet a wide variety of needs. 

When it is time to dismantle, legs can be stored on the underside of the deck and panels quickly loaded on to a storage and transport cart that fits through standard door sizes. Designed to save as much as 50% in storage space compared to other systems, StageTek can be wheeled to a storage place or transported to another venue. 

The introduction of a new catalogue of the quality of Wenger’s is an important event at any time, but for 2013 – 2014 it is not just one catalogue but three! 

The new ‘market focused’ approach now offers separate catalogues for, ‘Music Education’, ‘Performing Arts’ and ‘Athletics’. Evolving as a family of catalogues using a new landscape format and significantly updated with new photographs, new testimonials and best still, new products. The Music Education catalogue includes a new products page, an expanded table of contents and helpful comparison charts to provide guidance when selecting the most appropriate product. 

Copies of the new Wenger catalogues will be available from Black Cat Music in due course. 

Awards for Excellence nominations have opened

Nominations for the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence 2014 have now opened. 

Event sponsors Black Cat Music and MusicPracticeRooms.com are once again sponsoring the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, one of eleven categories now open for nominations and presented previously in 2013 to Peter Dunkley by Managing Director Guy Dagger. The award citation is for “For an individual who has made a seminal contribution to music education.” 

The organisers say, “These awards will recognise excellence and innovation in a sector that seldom hits the headlines other than at times of crisis. We hope that the awards will shine a much-deserved light on the very best of music education across every part of the business. “ Nomination forms can be downloaded at musiceducationexpo.co.uk/nominate and must be returned by 7th November.

Getting in touch …

Our customers at Black Cat Music frequently thank us for the friendly and helpful advice they experience when making enquiries or placing orders. 

A typical example is the experience of Chris Mitchell who told us, ”At Richmond College where I used to work we had approximately 20 Classic 50 music stands which worked well for players and also for the conductor.” Chris continued, “I'm now considering the Bravo as a conductor's stand since nowadays I conduct small groups and choirs rather than a full orchestra.” After reviewing Chris’s requirements with a member of the sales team an order for a music stand was duly placed. 

Whether the enquiry is one item for individual use or equipping an entire orchestra, everyone receives the same attention and free advice without obligation to buy. To get in touch with Black Cat Music go to our web site and choose your preferred contact option. 

New Conductor’s stand expands to hold more music

New from Black Cat Music is a Conductor’s Stand with pull out racks to expand the size of the desk. 

Constructed in two main sections, the stylish wooden conductor’s desk is available in beech or all black finish and thanks to the pull out side panels is expandable from 575 mm to a generous 875 mm width and depth of 355 mm. The supporting stand is constructed from black powder-coated steel tubes, adjustable in height from 690 mm to 1160 mm with cross braced, folding tripod legs providing extra stability. A simple screw connection to the desk mounting plate allows easy detachment for transporting or storage of the Extendable Conductor’s stand. 

Introducing the new Extendable Conductor’s stand, Black Cat Music, General Manager Teresa Rogers said, “This new introduction adds a further option to our existing range of stands and other equipment designed specifically for conductors, including chairs and podium products, making Black Cat Music a leading supplier of equipment for conductors. 

Easy online Purchase Order option for new academic year

Why not start the new academic year by using Black Cat Music’s new Purchase Order option for placing music education equipment orders online. 

Our new system couldn’t be easier. Because we understand that when buying on behalf of a school or council it is often a customer preference to use the well-established Purchase Order system, we have set up a system to handle these on the Black Cat Music web site. 

Customers purchasing on behalf of a State-funded or LEA-funded School, Academy, College, University or County Council can use an official Purchase Order number to buy online 24/7 atwww.blackcatmusic.co.uk in just a couple of clicks. All you need to do is place the items you want to order into the Shopping Basket, 'Proceed to Checkout' and enter your Purchase Order at 'Step 6 - Payment Information'. 

Once you have reviewed the order, there is a choice of sending a scanned copy by email for automatic processing to be invoiced to your billing address, or to complete the purchase offline. If you prefer to send in your Purchase Order by post just mail it to Black Cat Music, Bankside House, Vale Road, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1SJ, or alternatively fax it to 01732 371556 or if you prefer, scan and email to sales@blackcatmusic.co.uk 

Terms & Conditions apply to all qualifying State-funded/LEA-funded Schools, Academies, Colleges, Universities and County Councils, Purchase Orders are subject to credit account status and a £3,000 excluding VAT order limit applies to online purchase orders. 

Start the new academic year with new Classic 50 music stands

As a welcome back to a new term and new school year, what better than a fabulous 10 per cent discount on Black Cat Music’s best selling Classic 50 music stands. Quantity discount breaks allow purchase prices as low as £36.00. Schools and colleges looking to equip with new music stands designed for robust and regular handling can take advantage of this great offer throughout September. 

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. 

Manchester welcomes two day music extravaganza

Black Cat Music will be exhibiting at the Music Show which runs alongside the new Music Mark conference taking place at Manchester Central, 15 & 16th November. 

Billed as, “A brand new music event over two days that will bring together all types of music in an exciting collaboration of music enthusiasts in Manchester this November. The event will take place at Manchester Central on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th November 2013 and is open to anyone who has a passion for music, from aspiring bands and musicians to schools and families, trade exhibitors and industry professionals.“ 

Teresa Rogers, Manager, Black Cat Music said, “It will be a great opportunity for customers in the north west to meet the staff from Black Cat Music and examine the latest music education equipment products. Music Show event supporters, Black Cat Music, are planning to exhibit a number of products at the show selected from its comprehensive programme of music performance equipment. Examples include music stands, staging, choral risers, music folders and conductors' equipment. Black Cat Music enjoys exclusive distributorship of Wenger Corporation’s extensive product range - acknowledged as the largest manufacturer of fully-guaranteed staging and music performance equipment in the world.” 

Teresa continued, ”The event also offers the chance to discuss any noise problems with experts from Black Cat Acoustics and sister company MusicPracticeRooms.com, who will also be in attendance at the show. In addition the company’s Mark Rasmussen and Martin Loft will be running a workshop – Simple Solutions to Noise Problems - currently scheduled to take place at 1 pm on Friday 15th November. Black Cat Acoustics provides authorative guidance to steer anyone experiencing noise problems quickly towards pin-pointing a solution. Or, if preventing noise related nuisance is the issue, then sound isolated music practice rooms can provide the answer. Discover also the additional benefits these custom built self-contained, air-conditioned acoustic spaces provide for the comfort of musicians and sound quality, not to mention the improved utilisation of space that can be achieved.” 

Chris Martin Event Manager at Hamerville Media Group, who are organising the event commented: “Manchester has a thriving music scene and is home to some of the greatest musicians so it is the ideal place to bring The Music Show. The event aims to educate and inspire anyone who has an interest in making music. “The event will be a huge celebration of talent from our city and across the North West, and will feature some fantastic live performances across the two days. We want to celebrate all music tastes and represent people at different stages of their careers, from those at school level to established artists.” 

Students from schools in Greater Manchester, part of the Greater Manchester Music Hub, are amongst those already confirmed to take part in the show, and will perform on stage during the live performance sessions. Carolyn Baxendale, Head of Bolton Music Services, the lead organisation of Greater Manchester Music Hub, said: "Music really matters in Greater Manchester and I am delighted to see The Music Show coming to our region in November. The great thing about the Show is that it will give all those involved in music education and the music profession a chance to celebrate together the huge impact that music has on all our lives. “The Greater Manchester Music Hub is looking forward to celebrating some of its work with young people from across the region at the show." 

Chris added: “In the coming weeks there will be some exciting announcements on live performances, guest speakers and exhibitors. There will be such a lot going on, anyone who is interested in making music should come along and see what’s on offer.” 

To register interest for The Music Show and for the latest announcements visit http://music-show.co.uk/cms/. 

Four common acoustics problems in schools and how to solve them

Acoustics issues, often referred to as noise problems, can be a real problem, but for many situations the solution may be easier than you think. Here we take a look at four commonly experienced problems in schools and how they might be addressed.

Problem 1 - Reverberant sound levels.

Reverberant sound levels and reflections, commonly described as echoes, are formed by sound bouncing back off hard surfaces. We can measure the time it takes to reflect and decay by 60db and this is known as the “reverberation time”. These reflections occur due to hard surfaces which allow much of the generated sound pressure levels to propagate as reverberant sound. Building Bulletin [BB93] provides guidance for acceptable reverberation times in schools.

To provide  a solution we use absorptive, open cell products such as acoustic panels which may be combined with diffusive products. Acoustic panels can be the same colour as the surrounding decor, or they can be covered in fabric or made into a coloured pattern and used as a design feature.

Problem 2 - Structure-borne noise transfer.

Unwanted sound can be generated through floors and ceilings, from outside the building and from plant such as air-conditioning within the structure, which can lead to a noisy environment in which to work. Structure-borne noise transfer can be attributed to a lack of insulation in walls, floors and glazing, holes in the structure, common walls, service ducts and pipework.

By measuring the ambient noise of a space typically over a 30minute period

a benchmark can be established and compared to recommended levels. Readings in excess of these ideals indicate it’s going to be a difficult space to work in.

Solutions to structure-borne noise transfer are to use  additional insulation, increased mass, secondary walls, floating floors and resilient fixings for plant and machinery. Pipework is one of the largest problem areas as these are so wrapped up in the structure of the building in some extreme cases the cheapest solution is actually to change the use of the area. Although you can limit the problem with acoustic covers on the pipes if they are accessible, or install an internal sound isolating room such as our Music Practice Rooms.

Problem 3 - Problems associated with difficulties in hearing speech in a learning environment.

Problems associated with difficulties in hearing speech in a learning environment are not due to a lack of volume but when the words themselves are hard to understand. Also, a linked problem is when you hear too much, such as several conversations going on simultaneously. It is due to sound waves bouncing all over the place and are frequently a combination of reverberation times and/or high ambient noise. Because the problem is a combination of the previous two, the solutions are going to be a combination of the previous two as well, such as acoustic panels and acoustic curtains which can be deployed quickly to change the characteristics of a room’s acoustics.

Problem 4 - problems with music or speech on a stage not being heard in the auditorium.

Finally a quick look at problems with music or speech on a stage not being heard in the auditorium. The problem here is not down to increasing volume of the performer, you can’t just “sing louder” or play your musical instrument louder as that would be exhausting for the artists and ruin any kind of light and shade within a piece.

The solution is to use panels designed to reflect the sound back into

the auditorium such as a full sized combination of shell “towers” and overhead reflective panels being installed at the venue. Schools or colleges with a smaller space can use ranges designed to be folded up when not required.