The latest news from our friends across the pond

The Black Cat Music team was delighted to meet with its US counterparts from Wenger Corporation last week. 

Wenger representatives met up with the Black Cat team in Tonbridge Wells to catch up and talk about exciting new product developments, including Wenger’s new StageTek staging system – a portable staging that is easy to transport and store, yet is strong, safe and configurable into any combination. StageTek, 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 per cent lighter, stronger, easier to handle and faster to set up. 

Another exciting Wenger development is the new-look RoughNeck music stand. This rugged all-metal music stand is designed for general practice and performance. With its welded base and new trigger-lock mechanism, the Roughneck music stand always stands straight, won't lean or wobble and will never need tightening. The steel desk has a durable powder coat paint finish and rolled edges to add strength - rolled edges also mean no worrying about scratching or denting expensive instruments. The toughest music stand on the market has just been made even tougher! 

For more updates on the latest products from Wenger and Black Cat Music, keep an eye on our news section, follow us on Twitter, or take a look at our Facebook page.

Talking about good posture

Musicians should be aware that good posture is essential to minimise health problems and that playing wind, string or percussion instruments can lead to repetitive strain injuries. This human interaction can benefit greatly from an understanding of ergonomics and application of the insights revealed applied to the design of equipment and instruments and how they are used. For players of wind instruments holding a good posture, with the instrument properly held, opens up the chest cavity allowing for good breathing. There are differences, sometimes significantly different, between sitting and standing postures. Musicians who have learned to play in one position may find it difficult to play in the other so both postures need to be exercised in order to strengthen the necessary muscles. 

Repetitive Stress Injuries - tendonitis, bursitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain and Calluses - are risks for musicians who play for any length of time, whether professionally or for pleasure. Many musicians are likely to suffer from some level of repetitive stress at sometime since playing and practising music calls for repetitive motion. To counteract it you need to know what causes repetitive stress injuries and ensure that you warm up properly, stretch before and after playing, take breaks and generally keep fit. 

Standard chairs let the musician slouch, allowing the spine to be forced out of its natural supportive position. This lowers the rib cage and constricts the diaphragm, reducing airflow. Wenger Music Posture Chair design redefined what a music chair should be by providing the seated musician with the same strong, natural posture as if they were standing. Nota takes that concept to the next level, providing rear and forward seating positions that allow musicians to sit in the manner that best suits their style and instrument. Both the Premier and Standard models also feature a narrow convex back that provides lumbar support while still allowing freedom and range of movement, and a rounded waterfall front that provides better circulation and comfort for a wider range of body sizes. Nota popularity is growing fast because there’s no other chair like it and it’s built to work and look great for the long run. 

Count down to Music Education Expo – 3 weeks to go

Black Cat Music and partner company MusicPracticeRooms.com are Platinum Sponsors of this month’s Music Education Expo 2013 event at London’s Barbican venue, 20/21 March 2013. 

Talking about the sponsorship tie in, Black Cat Music’s marketing manager Alice Dagger said, “We are delighted to be involved as Platinum Sponsors of this exciting new event and to also be providing the Lifetime Achievement Award.” 

Black Cat Music will be exhibiting a wide range of its music performance equipment including music stands, staging, choral risers, music folders and conductors' equipment at the show. Black Cat Music has 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. 

When you visit the Black Cat Music/MusicPracticeRooms.com stand (E19) not only can you see a fully functioning sound isolating music practice room and try it out for yourself, but you can buy this very same room for a special ex-demo price after the show. While you are thinking about acoustics, make sure you attend the Black Cat Acoustics presentation in Seminar Theatre 1, Wednesday 20th March at 10.15 am on the subject of 'Simple solutions to noise problems'. Enjoy our free coffee and pastries, served to everyone who attends the seminar and don’t forget to collect your free conductor's baton. 

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented at the inaugural Music Teacher Awards & Gala evening which is organized by the publishers ofMusic Teacher magazine to celebrate excellence within the UK’s music education scene and takes place on the evening of the 20th March in the Barbican’s Conservatory and Garden Room. 

Described as “the largest gathering of music education professionals in the UK,” organisers Rhinegold promise, “The UK’s most comprehensive music education event. Comprising a major exhibition, a dynamic educational programme and exceptional networking opportunities. This two-day event offers music educational professionals a highly rewarding experience - both professionally and personally.” And it is not too late to register forMusic Education Expo 2013 now. 

New Diva – the best just got better

Black Cat Music is delighted to introduce the fully redesigned Diva full-stage acoustical shell from Wenger Corporation. 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. 

Handling and setup are now even easier, with more size and design options now available. 

Design enhancements that simplify and speed the movement and positioning of Diva towers include a built-in handle at the tower base. In addition a new, lighter air mover offers greater maneuverability than the previous model, plus easier attachment to the tower frame thanks to a new hook assembly. A non-motorized wheeled mover is also available, with swivel casters providing smooth movement in any direction.

 

The stronger, simplified frame extrusion increases the maximum tower height by eight feet (2.4 m) – up to 40 feet (12.2 m) total permitting the specification of structurally larger Diva acoustical shells. Furthermore, the redesigned extruded ceiling truss now accommodates the additional ceiling lights required by the larger shells. 

New Diva towers feature a narrower vertical trim strip, now integrated into the panel edges as a subtle aesthetic feature that will be appreciated by architects and designers. This trim strip can be finished a variety of ways such as painted, anodized or with a wood grain texture. For any size Diva shell, designers can specify finish options that integrate the design of the shell's towers and ceiling panels into the overall performance environment. 

Although constructed on a common framework, each Diva shell is customized to unique design criteria and manufactured in Wenger's ISO-certified manufacturing facility. In addition Wenger offers complete installation services, on-site training and a five-year warranty.

 

Price discount on conductor’s stand – last few days

During February Black Cat Music are offering the Wenger Preface Conductor’s music stand at a 10% discount compared to the usual price. But act quickly, February is a short month and we wouldn’t want you to miss the opportunity to acquire this excellent product at a great 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 visitBlack Cat Music web site. 

Huge savings on offer in Black Cat Music stock clearance sale - must end soon

With savings of up to 75%, now is a great time to visit the Black Cat Music web site and buy a bargain. Currently products on offer include many different types of chairs, instrument storage and racks, music stands and lights, risers, staging, costume racks and many more high quality products. 

The Black Cat Music ‘Stock Clearance Sale’ is still open but stocks are limited so buyers are advised to get online quickly to take advantage of this rare opportunity to own these useful quality items at greatly reduced prices. 

Coming soon - New Nota Conductor’s Chair by Wenger

Wenger continues to roll out the benefits and comfort associated with their popular range of Nota Chairs, with the important addition of a commanding new Conductor’s Chair. Available shortly from Black Cat Music, master distributor of Wenger products, the Nota Conductor’s Chair places conductors in a great position to direct and with full support for the half-seated position it also offers a good seating solution for String Bassists and Percussionists. 

Thanks to the chair’s adjustable design there is flexibility to find an ideal position to suit individual users. Dr. Dylan Chmura-Moore, Professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh said, “I loved it from the first moment I sat in it. With other chairs I have to adapt to fit the chair, but this chair fit me. It definitely provided flexibility and support without any cumbersome limitations to body movement. Your legs can move, your upper body can swivel or sway. I felt more connected to my feet and core muscle groups, which supports proper breathing and better music-making. The cantilever design also gives a lot more room for my legs.” 

Ideal for use by Conductors, String Bassists, Percussionists, or anyone needing a taller chair, the new Nota Conductor’s Chair is packed with features and offers a whole scope of adjustments. With seat and back contoured for added comfort and support, seat height adjusts by means of a pressurised gas cylinder from 26" to 351/2" (60 to 90 cm). Seat tilt can be adjusted from +4ºto -18º at the point of use. Back height is adjustable within a 41/2" (11 cm) range and back depth within a 5” (13 cm) range by modifying the back angle which can be adjusted from +4º to -18º at the point of use. Foot rest height is adjustable too, from 9" to 16" (23 to 41 cm) and is independent from the seat height. Seat and back have a 90º swivel range. 45º left and right of center and can be locked at any point along the 90º range at the point of use. 

As might be expected for a Wenger product, construction is of the highest quality. The Nota Standard Conductor’s Chair has polyurethane foam seat and back in black and the Nota Premier Conductor’s Chair is padded and upholstered with Olefin fabric in choice of black or grey. Chair posts are constructed of heavy-duty 16-gauge steel with black powder-coat paint finish, the inner post is of extruded aluminum alloy and base made of tough fiberglass reinforced material in black. The chair sits on 5 heavy-duty glides providing maximum stability. It all adds up to an important and exciting addition to the range of posture seating for musicians available from Black Cat Music. 

Our Italian job creates a chorus of delight

We know that our Black Cat Music choral and orchestra folders are much sought after and admired products. From our Kent distribution centre in the south east corner of England we regularly ship orders throughout continental Europe and it’s great to know how delighted  our customers are to open the box and start using them.

Danilo Galliani emailed from Italy with this warm greeting, “buonasera!
le cartelle sono arrivate! il coro è contentissimo!!!
grazie della vostra gentile disponibilità
Cordialmente
Danilo Galliani” Quick translation – “good evening!
folders have arrived! the chorus is delighted!!
thank you for your kind help,
cordially
Danilo Galliani.” Thanks  Danilo, another delighted chorus equipped with Black Cat Music choral folders.

Discover more about our elegant music folders  which benefit from hardwearing leatherette covers, brass bound corners and hand-stitching, designed to provide protection for music as well as looking smart during concerts.  At a modest extra charge music folders can be customised with gold-blocking with the name and crest of the choir, band or orchestra, to further enhance the group identity. There is a choice of styles with expanding pockets or retaining strings for choirs and expanding pockets, pencil pockets and windows for orchestral use. Music folders are available in a choice of three colours – Concert Black, Royal Blue and Cardinal Red.

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. 

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 about to set new standards thanks to the soon to be released 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 per cent 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. 

Price discount on conductor’s stand

During February Black Cat Music are offering the Wenger Preface Conductor’s music stand at a 10 per cent 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.