Acoustics for Dummies – Problem 2: Speech in a learning environment

Acoustics for Dummies was the title given to one of the conference sessions at Music Education Expo 2015 earlier this year in London.

In a presentation given by Mark Rasmussen from the Black Cat Music marketing team, four common problems of noise in schools were identified and the issues explained and solutions put into  simple terms, free of the technical jargon used more formally by acousticians.

For those who missed the event, or who atended and want to take a second look, we have posted a video of the session.

Problem 2 talks about difficulty in hearing speech in a learning environment … or hearing too much

The Black Cat team returns from a successful weekend in Münster

Back in the UK following a successful Musikschulkongress 2015 the Black Cat team reflects on the events in Münster. 

Alice Dagger, UK Marketing Manager reported: “As usual, the conference was very well organised, and we enjoyed participating in the exhibition. It is always a pleasure to meet and chat to German music school teachers, whose passion for teaching and playing music is inspiring.” 

Dirk Rueter, Manager of the Berlin office, added: “We enjoyed Musikschulkongress and it was a pleasure to visit Münster. We look forward to attending Musikschulkongress 2017 in Stuttgart!” 

Black Cat Music displayed a selection of its range of high quality music equipment ranging from the world-renowned Wenger music stands, ergonomic music posture chairs and staging to sound-isolating music practice rooms and self-build sound-isolating AcoustiCabins.

Price discount on Conductor’s Stand

During May 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.

Fascinating Rhythm celebrate twenty years

Close harmony singing chorus, Fascinating Rhythm, are celebrating their twentieth anniversary with a concert on 27th June at the Olympus Theatre, Stoke Gifford.

Alice Dagger, Marketing Manager of Black Cat Music, said, “We congratulate Fascinating Rhythm and wish them every success with the 20th anniversary celebration concert.”

Wimbourne, South Gloucester based Fascinating Rhythm describe their style as an all female, close harmony singing chorus with a repertoire that includes pop, ballads, easy beat and traditional barbershop. 

Tickets for the concert can be purchased online.

Sound-isolation cabin solves noise concerns for Icelandic trumpeter

Vilhjálmur Ingi Sigurðarson 

What do you do when you are a trumpet player who needs to put in some practice but live in an apartment where your children need to sleep and the neighbours are banging on the walls? Well, you could take the approach that Vilhjálmur Ingi Sigurðarson - “Will” - did and get in touch with Black Cat Music about a sound-isolation cabin. 

The AcoustiCabin Express sound-isolation cabin is designed for speedy and easy installation, without compromising the booth’s excellent sound-isolating properties. Impressive sound isolation is achieved thanks to the use of high performance acoustic materials in the slot-together patented panels. The modular, interlocking panel design permits considerable flexibility in size and footprint. 

Will, who lives with his wife and family in Iceland and is a member of the Icelandic Philharmonic, contacted Black Cat Music’s Myke Millward when he realised the noise situation simply could not continue. The email communications developed into a plan that in due course saw Will flying to Gatwick Airport, complete with trumpet of course and testing out an  AcoustiCabin Express sound-isolation cabin at Black Cat Music’s headquarters in Tonbridge, Kent. Here, Will really put the sound-isolation cabin through its paces. Myke’s colleague Martin Loft joined in the trial, playing an instrument within the sound-isolation cabin for Will to assess noise in various parts of the building, with Myke recording on an iPhone. All that could be heard was the whirring of office machinery outside the cabin! Three hours later and delighted with the results, Will was impressed with the   effectiveness of the AcoustiCabin Express sound-isolation cabin. 

In a footnote to the story Will sent us pictures of the cabin being installed in his apartment  and the message, “ The cabin works great… I´m very happy."

Countdown to MMA and ISBA Conferences

The Black Cat Music team is counting down the days to the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association Annual Conference at Celtic Manor, 13^th and 14^th May. The Black Cat Music summer roadshow will then head to the MMA Conference at Wellington College, Berkshire, May 15^th to 17th. At both events the new AcoustiCabins Express sound isolation cabin will be demonstrated on the Black Cat Music exhibition stand .

The AcoustiCabin Express sound-isolation cabin is designed for speedy and easy installation, without compromising the booth’s excellent sound-isolating properties. Impressive sound isolation is achieved thanks to the use of high performance acoustic materials in the slot-together patented panels. The modular, interlocking panel design permits considerable flexibility in size and footprint.

The ISBA's popular annual conference brings together many of the independent education sector's leading experts offering topical updates for schools plus networking opportunities and an exhibition of more than 100 professional advisers and companies dedicated to providing high quality services to the education sector.  Held over two days, the event welcomes more than 400 bursars and senior management staff from independent schools every year. As the administrative managers of schools they are the key decision-makers in sourcing their school's services and supplies.

At the MMA conference, the choices of session are always comprehensive and include over 24 different speakers with tailored wisdom for all areas of a school music department from music administrators and instrumental teachers to heads of department. The Conference always includes all meals and refreshments including a black tie dinner with entertainment. The conference trade fair is always a lively hub of activity with some thirty corporate members giving in-depth advice and showcasing the latest instruments, products and scores. However, networking is one of the key reasons that members attend and the opportunity to share good practice and ideas with colleagues from a wide range of schools, organisations and corporates is invaluable.

April 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.