Summer savings on Bravo Music Stand

Next week is the last opportunity to take advantage of the Black Cat Music August offer to buy the Wenger all black Bravo Music Stands at a reduced price. 

The Bravo Music Stand is designed and engineered to high quality standards to provide a long, trouble-free life. Bravo’s polypropelene desk will not chip, bend or scratch and includes a useful accessory shelf, handy for keeping pencils or reeds to hand. Height is adjustable in just a single smooth motion, from 61 cm to 116 cm. Wenger’s premier heavy-duty stand can now be purchased with a 10 per cent discount on usual prices. 

Full details and the offer, which applies to the black stand and black base versions is published on Black Cat Music web site. 

Mastersinger choir folders - better by design

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. 

StageTek goes metric

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. 

Black Cat Music are on top of things

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. 

Major additions to Wenger fixed audience seating announced

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. 

Black Cat Music returning to Berlin for Deutscher Orchestertag 2014

The Black Cat Music team is looking forward to attending the forthcoming Deutscher Orchestertag 2014. 

The goal of the 12th annual conference for German orchestra managers is to promote the exchange of ideas and articulate the interests of more than 150 German orchestras. Opportunities for discussion and information on the latest developments and strategies for pricing are encompassed in the conference sessions. Cultural and political issues will also be up for discussion. 

The central theme of this year’s conference will be concert promotion and how to grow audiences. The Director of the Konzerthaus Dortmund, Mr. Benedikt Stampa, will phone in live from Dortmund to talk about marketing strategies. 

Delegates will also have an opportunity to improve their leadership skills. And, as before, Mr. Rolf Bolwin the German Stage Association will update attendees on the latest developments within the German orchestra scene. 

Black Cat Music will exhibit a wide range of high quality performance equipment including ergonomic orchestra chairs, stage systems, music stands, stand lights and instrument and music storage systems. Black Cat Music is the central distributor in Europe and Russia for Wenger Corporation. Wenger is world-renowned for the quality and durability of its music equipment, and all Wenger products carry a minimum 5-year warranty. 

Nominations now being accepted for the 2015 Music Teacher Awards for Excellence

Photo credits: © Ceri Wood Photography    

Announced today are details of the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence and once again Black Cat Music and MusicPracticeRooms.com are sponsoring the Lifetime Achievement Award. 

“Created to celebrate excellence in music education, the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence are now in their third year, and accepting nominations for 10 award categories. 

The 2015 Awards will be presented at a gala evening at The Grange St Pauls Hotel in London, on the first night of Music Education Expo (12 March 2015). 

2014 winners include Vivienne Price, In Harmony Opera North, Singing Playgrounds from Ex Cathedra, Baden-Powell and St Peter’s Junior School and Drake Music Scotland. 

This year there are 11 award categories, 10 of which will be accepting nominations. Short video clips outlining the criteria for each award can be found online, as well as written explanations. 

Nominations are encouraged from all sections of the public, and will be accepted until Friday 24 October 2014. 

The shortlist will be announced online in mid-November and in the December issue of Music Teacher magazine. 

The categories 

For which nominations are accepted: 

· Best Musical Initiative Award, sponsored by the Royal Marines Band Service 
· Best Print Resource Award, sponsored by Rhinegold Publishing Ltd
· Best Digital/Technological Resource Award
· Best SEN Resource Award
· Excellence in Primary/Early Years Music Award
· Best School Music Department Award, sponsored by the MMA (Music Masters Association) 
· Musicians’ Union Inspiration Award, sponsored by the Musicians’ Union – NEW
· Best Music Education Product Award – NEW
· Best Classical Music Education Initiative Award, sponsored by Classic FM
· Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Black Cat Music and MusicPracticeRooms.com 

For which nominations are not accepted: 

· Music Teacher Magazine Editor’s Award, sponsored by Hiddledy Piggledy Jazz

More information about the categories, including judging criteria, can be found and nominations can be made at www.musiceducationexpo.co.uk/awards

The judges 

The winners of each category (save for the Music Teacher Magazine Editor’s Award, decided by Thomas Lydon & the Best Classical Music Education Initiative Award, decided by a public vote on classicfm.com) will be selected by an experienced panel of judges, chaired by Thomas Lydon, editor ofMusic Teacher magazine: 

· Professor David Saint, principal, Birmingham Conservatoire
· Lucy Johnstone-McCarthy, head of music, Baden-Powell and St Peter’s C of E Junior School
· Paul McManus, chief executive, Music Industries Association
· Judith Webster, chief executive, Music For Youth 

Summer savings on Bravo Music Stand

Black Cat Music is offering Wenger all black Bravo Music Stands at a reduced price throughout August.

The Bravo Music Stand is designed and engineered to high quality standards to provide a long, trouble-free life. Bravo’s polypropelene desk will not chip, bend or scratch and includes a useful accessory shelf, handy for keeping pencils or reeds to hand. Height is adjustable in just a single smooth motion, from 61 cm to 116 cm. Wenger’s premier heavy-duty stand can now be purchased with a 10 per cent discount on usual prices. 

Full details and the offer, which applies to the black stand and black base versions is published on Black Cat Music web site.