Black Cat team back from Berlin

Following their visit to Showtech billed as  the ‘world forum for the stage’, the Black Cat team of Brigitte, Martin and Myke are back from a busy exhibition and conference season. 

Showtech is held every two years and described as the “International Trade Show and Conference for Theatre, Film and Events.” Showtech 2013 took place at the Berlin Exhibition Centre from 18 to 20 June.

Brigitte Downs, said, “The Berlin show provided a great opportunity to network with many of our valued customers in technical theatre and it was particulary good to meet our suppliers Wenger who were exhiting as part of the J R Clancy presence at the show.”

Black Cat Music has exclusive distributorship of Wenger Corporation’s extensive product range in the UK, Europe and Russia - acknowledged as the largest manufacturer of fully guaranteed staging and music performance equipment in the world.

June offer. It’s a sell out

Our June discount on Wenger Preface Conductor’s music stand proved to be a hot offer this month with stocks sold right out! 

The good news is that more stock is on the way from Wenger, so those who missed out on the offer price can soon buy the affordably priced stand. Thanks to elegant design and clever engineering, the Preface Conductor’s stand 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, visit the Black Cat Music web site. 

Unwanted noise problems can be a thing of the past thanks to Black Cat Acoustics

Black Cat Acoustics provides authorative guidance to steer anyone experiencing noise problems quickly towards pin-pointing a solution. The company is experienced in finding practical solutions to common noise problems. Four of the most frequently encountered noise problems are described here, with an explanation of cause and how they can be overcome. 

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. 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 décor. Alternatively they can be covered in fabric, or made into a coloured pattern and used as a design feature. 

Another example is where unwanted sound can be generated through floors and ceilings, from outside the building and from plant such as air-conditioning within the structure. This 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. 

Another common problem is associated with difficulties in hearing speech in a learning environment. This is 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. 

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. 

Packed with useful information, example case studies, video demonstrations and user testimonials, the Black Cat Acoustics web site is a ‘must bookmark’ site for anyone with noise problems or seeking a better acoustc environment. 

Sound isolation rooms are very affordable with new leasing scheme from Black Cat Music

Not only can our sound isolation rooms solve noise problems, but the new Structured Payment Options system from Black Cat Music can solve the financing of the project too. 

Already customers of our MusicPracticeRooms.com sound isolation rooms are discovering benefits besides the main purpose of providing a controlled acoustic environment for music rehearsals without disturbance to other people nearby. Because these rooms are so effective some colleges are putting two or three in an area, which is a very economic use of scarce space. More practice time can then be scheduled for more students and in the evenings the facility can be hired out to local musical groups. When setting up a new music facility like this, spreading the costs of equipment over the following years can now be an affordable benefit thanks to the Structured Payment Options system recently announced by Black Cat Music. 

We know how budgets are tight so Black Cat Music has come up with a scheme to spread payments over a period of up to five years. We use a government compliant operating lease, ensuring the purchase is within government guidelines which offers benefits for government funded schools and organisations. The scheme smooths out budgets and cash flow while allowing investment in music performance equipment that doesn’t compromise on quality. The scheme also applies to independent schools and other non-government funded organisations. Terms and Conditions apply, these and further details can be read online. 

Black Cat Music team goes theatrical

Photo by Laura Braun - supplied courtesy of ABTT Theatre Show 2013.

Members of the Black Cat Music team are out and about meeting clients and suppliers associated with the theatrical side of the business. 

It was first stop London, the home of professional theatre, with a visit to the ABTT Theatre Show. The 2013 event, which took place last week had a theme emphasising that everything to do with technical theatre remains at the heart of the Association of British Theatre Technicians annual show. The show offered a ‘one-stop shop’ of theatrical services and resources by bringing in an even broader range of backstage and production suppliers and service providers than in previous years as well as a seminar programme. 

This week it is off to Berlin for Showtech, for Black Cat Music for an event described by the organisers as the “world forum for the stage”. It is held every two years and this year is being billed as the “International Trade Show and Conference for Theatre, Film and Events.” Showtech 2013 will be held in Halls 1 to 4 of the Berlin Exhibition Centre from 18 to 20 June. 

General Manager, Teresa Rogers, said, “The London show provided a great opportunity to network with many of our valued customers in technical theatre. We now look forward to meeting their counterparts in Germany at Showtech.” 

Date for the diary – Black Cat Music will exhibit in Manchester

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

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. 

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. 

For further information about the Music Show, visit http://music-show.co.uk/cms/. 

Let us help promote your musical event

Staging a musical event? Then why not let the team at Black Cat Music know so we can help you spread the word. 

Whether it is an orchestral concert, recital, choral event or perhaps musical theatre, bands playing or music festivals, simply send us the details and we will publish information on our web site, send out tweets and post to Facebook. Tell us the name or title of the event, venue where it is being performed and dates, then email the details to sales@blackcatmusic.co.uk . And don’t forget to give us a link to where visitors can obtain more information and tickets where performances are open to the public. Finally, if you have a relevant photo, why not send that as well? 

Black Cat Music renew platinum sponsorship of Music Education Expo for 2014

Returning once again as Platinum Sponsors ofMusic Education Expo, Black Cat Music and partner company MusicPracticeRooms.com are planning a leading role at the 2014 show to be held at London’s Barbican venue, 7/8th February. 

Discussing the renewed sponsorship tie in, Black Cat Music’s marketing manager Alice Dagger said, “We are delighted to continue our support as Platinum Sponsors of this exciting event as it goes into a second year. We are also providing the Lifetime Achievement Award again in 2014. Following a very busy and successful inaugural show we have no hesitation in signing up for the next Music Education Expo. 

Black Cat Music are planning to exhibit 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. 

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.” 

Structured Payment Options help spread the cost of buying music education equipment

When setting up a new music facility, spreading the costs of equipment over the following years can now be a welcome benefit thanks to the Structured Payment Options system recently announced by Black Cat Music. 

We know how budgets are tight and also that compromising on quality by opting for the cheapest option can prove to be a false economy in the longer term. So Black Cat Music has come up with a scheme to spread payments over a period of up to five years. We use a government compliant operating lease, ensuring the purchase is within government guidelines which offers benefits for government funded schools and organisations. The scheme smooths out budgets and cash flow while allowing investment in music performance equipment that doesn’t compromise on quality. 

The scheme also applies to independent schools and other non-government funded organisations. These education establishments will also appreciate the planned repayment benefits of a capital purchase of music education performance equipment, as a contribution to maintaining a healthy balance sheet. Repayments can be monthly, quarterly or annually over 1,2,3,4 or 5 years with VAT claimed back on all repayments. And with tax 100% allowable and with the acquisition ‘off balance sheet’ the scheme should prove of great interest to financial officers and bursars. What’s more, at the end of the Agreement, for one extra payment the equipment becomes fully owned. Terms and Conditions apply, these and further details can be read online. 

Buy online using your official Purchase Order

When buying on behalf of a school or council it is often a customer preference to use the well-established Purchase Order system. But not everyone is aware that Purchase Orders can also be used to buy music education performance equipment online, from 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 at www.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.

Top UK Cappella group in workshop on Sunday

If you are interested in Cappella singing, then the Willyots Theatre, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire is the place to be on Sunday 9th June, when leading UK group The Magnets are in workshop. 

Molly Morley of the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers told Black Cat Music that tickets for the event being organised by ‘Sing a Cappella’ can be booked online at www.singacappella.org . 

The Magnets are the UK’s most popular cappella group, with a huge following across the world. “We’re very excited to bring you an unprecedented opportunity to peek behind the scenes at this extraordinary singing group and learn the secrets of their success and the practices and pitfalls of singing a cappella at the highest level.” The organisers told Alice Dagger, marketing manager of Black Cat Music. 

The workshop, for both groups and individual singers, will offer a variety of choices of coaching opportunities for groups, sessions with The Magnets for those not with a group, sessions on vocal percussion and singing Magnets Songs.