When the Wenger UltraStor instrument storage cabinets were delivered to the Blyth Centre for Music and Visual Arts at Imperial College, London everything just clicked into place. Administrator for the Blyth Centre for Music and Visual Arts, Mary Bowe praised the Black Music team saying, “John and Dean did a great job, it ran like a military operation and thank you very much for all your help in getting our order to us today.” Imperial College offers a rich selection of music options for student and staff alike, whether an orchestral violinist or a jazz drummer, an experienced singer wanting to join a choir or a guitarist wanting to start a band, or maybe someone who just wants to enjoy listening to other people making great music. With five orchestras, four choirs, a string ensemble, a wind band, two jazz big bands and a musical theatre society at Imperial, as well as many smaller ensembles, no wonder efficient instrument storage is important! The Wenger UltraStor instrument storage cabinets enjoy the benefit of patented polyethylene shelves and are described as the best-built, most-reliable storage cabinets available. Heavy-duty hardware and top-quality doors further ensure reliable day-to-day operation and unparalleled durability. Available in a range of sizes, colours and styles, including different door types for different applications, cabinets are modular so can be re-arranged and added to as required.
During August Black Cat Music are offering the Wenger Preface Conductor’s music stand at a 10% discount compared to the usual price.
Already affordably priced thanks to elegant design and clever engineering, the Preface Conductor’s stand still benefits from plenty of useful features. This stylish conductor's stand enjoys a large desk, a sleek, non-scratch black surface, and dual posts offering superb stability and strength. Although robust it's also extremely lightweight and easy to use and store. The tilting desk permits easy angle adjustment while integrated storage keeps all the conductor's needs nearby and out-of-sight. In fact, it's been exquisitely fine-tuned to give conductors more stand for less money. Plus each stand comes with a 5-year warranty.
For full details of the Preface Conductor’s stand and to take advantage of this special offer visit the Black Cat Music web site.
Following a move not to print a 2012-2013 catalogue as new products at that time were already previewed in the preceding issue, Wenger has recently announced a return of the popular publication for 2014.
The new 2013-2014 Wenger Catalogue is slated for an October launch. A Wenger spokesperson said, “Our teams have been hard at work developing new products, and improving existing ones. And now, we are pleased to announce that our new 2013-2014 is in development and will hit the streets in early October. Wenger offer the most innovative, highest quality products, backed by the greatest service on earth and continue to bring the world’s leading music education and performing arts products to the market place.” These are distributed in the UK, Europe and Russia by Black Cat Music.
When the IV Workshop de Acustica Arquitetonica took place recently in Brazil, Wenger technical theatre products were prominently represented. With around 400 delegates in attendance it was said to be the largest acoustic event of 2013 in Brazil. Wenger’s Diva and Forte products and other acoustical offerings were demonstrated and discussed at the exhibtion run alongside the conference . The Wenger Diva acoustic shell presents a visually stunning backdrop that's audibly magnificent while its mobile architecture gives the appearance of an elegant, permanent wall in a smart system that's extremely mobile and compact for tight storage. From its architecturally sympathetic design to its remarkable impact on quality acoustics quality, Diva takes sound artistry to a new level of excellence. It is, without doubt, the most advanced full-stage acoustic shell of its kind. The new Forte Acoustical Shell provides fast, simple and safe set-up or reconfiguration for every day use that doesn't require tools. An alternative to large full-stage acoustical shell systems or portable acoustical shells, that is ideal for full-stage acoustics in small-to-medium size performance spaces including auditoria and theatre venues.
With a long summer Proms season until the famous ‘Last Night’ in September, it is not only a busy time for musicians and the ‘promenaders’ but can be tough on music stands as well. Unless that is they are Wenger Classic 50 and Roughneck stands from Black Cat Music.
Several sharp-eyed viewers of the televised ‘Proms’ have noticed the Classic 50 Music Stands at the Royal Albert Hall. A music stand tough enough to handle the hardships of regular 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. Also in service at the Proms is the Roughneck, a rugged all-metal music stand which is designed for general practice and performance. With its welded base, the Roughneck music stand always stands straight, won't lean or wobble and will never need tightening. Evidence shows the Roughneck is a great investment – a music stand that will last and last.
Tonbridge School recently installed Wenger’s new Edge Storage System, supplied by Black Cat Music. Storage can be a problem with instruments being in a variety of shape and sizes, some delicate, some cumbersome, all needing a dedicated space where they can be stored neatly, safely and securely. Black Cat Music has been providing instrument, costume and sheet music storage solutions for years - both custom-built, and from the well-respected and trusted Wenger range. With budgets under pressure everywhere the Edge™ Storage System has been developed as an economical product, but without compromising quality or durability and is supported by Wenger’s ten-year warranty. It is also eco-friendly being constructed from fewer materials, and includes an FSC wood option amongst the choice of styles. This flush-to-wall instrument storage system cuts down on the amount of material used, as does the open back concept between the unit and the wall behind it. These design elements help to make cost savings, while maintaining the long-lasting quality and elegance for which Wenger products are renowned - hence the ten-year warranty. The system can be custom-designed to accommodate the number and size of instruments required by the school; it can also be designed to store costumes, theatre props or sheet music. Doors are available with the option of wood or grille fronts. Either way they are pretty tough. Experience has shown that students have a tendency to hang on locker doors, so doors are load-tested with more than 300 lb (136 kg) of pressure on the outer edge. It is also the case that easy theft is the most likely theft, and to prevent that the patented lock-bar is 12-gauge steel, the strike plate heavy-duty, and locks tamper-resistant.
Earlier this year we announced the introduction of the fully redesigned Diva full-stage acoustical shell, from Wenger Corporation. Martin Loft a member of Black Cat acoustics technical team recently returned from in-depth product training with the engineering team behind the acoustic shell development. Martin’s busy two day intensive training with the Applications Engineering Department included time spent with Ron Freiheit, Wenger’s Director of Engineering and Denny Meyer, Wenger’s Product Manager for acoustic panels. Then accompanied by Mark Ingalls, Wenger DIVAProduct Manager, Martin took a short trip to a Wenger “hometown” installation at Owatonna High School, featuring a beautiful shell of cherry veneer, 4 towers and a flown back wall set including rigging by parent company JR Clancy. Easier to handle, larger and with greater aesthetic flexibility for architects and designers, the New Diva incorporates numerous functional and aesthetic improvements built on the heritage and operational experience gained from hundreds of custom acoustical shells installed around the world. Martin, recently earned a diploma over an 18 month-long course from the Institute of Acousticians (IOA), an international body known for setting global acoustic standards. Martin’s diploma was capped by a 2-day final written exam, which encompasses general principals of acoustics, plus two electives. Martin chose to study Building Acoustics and Noise & Vibration Control. Martin says when it comes to music, he plays “a little bit of everything”, including guitar and keyboard. Martin has been with the Black Cat team for 20 months and returns from America better equipped to address customer needs and with a greater understanding of Wenger’s manufacturing capabilities. Martin also received training on StageTek™ and Fixed Audience Seating during his visit.
During July, Black Cat Music is offering a 10 per cent discount on the Wenger Conductor’s Upper Podium which is supplied complete with a safety handrail. Stable, stylish and sturdy the Conductor’s Upper Podium is ideally suited for use in an auditorium or performance venue and is equally at home in the rehearsal room. Designed for use with a companion base podium to which it locks securely it includes a detachable safety rail finished with black, scratch resistant powder coated paint. The platform surface enjoys the benefit of a hard wearing but stylish grey carpet, while the one-piece steel framework provides strength and rigidity. Rubber pads ensure stability and thanks to in-built wheels mobility when moving the podium from one location to another is made easy. Take a look at the video demonstration on the Black Cat Music YouTube channel or go straight to our online offer page
When the Wenger UltraStor instrument storage cabinets were delivered to the Blyth Centre for Music and Visual Arts at Imperial College, London everything just clicked into place. 
