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Nancy Wagner from Wenger Corporation paid a visit to Black Cat Music’s Tonbridge, Kent headquarters.

"Black Cat Music has been exclusive UK distributor for Wenger for over 30 years now, and Master Distributor for Wenger across the whole of Europe and Russia for five years - a business relationship which deserves celebrating!” said Alice Dagger, marketing manager.

Wenger Corporation is the recognised world leader in fully-guaranteed staging and music performance equipment that includes music stands, orchestral chairs, staging, choral risers, conductor’s equipment, acoustic solutions and full stage acoustic shells. In addition there is a range of theatre products that embraces tiered audience seating, pit filler staging, make-up stations, costume racks and stage boxes. All Wenger products come with a minimum five year guarantee but thanks to the quality of their design and build it is rare to even receive a complaint.

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Black Cat Music announces a new online service for ordering custom gold-blocking for a range of their popular music folders.

These high quality folders have enjoyed frequent praise from music teachers and other music professionals. Many orchestras, bands, choirs, schools and colleges have also taken advantage of the gold blocking customisation service offered by Black Cat Music. It is just another detail that helps music groups look good in performance and helps keep music tidy and safe the rest of the time.

Announcing the new service Alice Dagger, Marketing Manager said, “ We are delighted to offer this new online ordering option. Whether you belong to a professional orchestra, chorus, school band or church choir, our choral and orchestral folders will give a sense of identity to your music group.”

To use the new system simply click on the “Require gold-blocking” check box on the product page and complete the form that opens up. Don’t forget that crests or logos can also be gold-blocked as well as text.

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When South Axholme Academy Wind Band placed an order for orchestral folders with Black Cat Music they were impressed by the quality of the product and the service provided.

Andrew Jackson, Subject Leader for Music at South Axholme Academy, Doncaster told us, “I would like to express our appreciation for the prompt and efficient way in which our order for a set of orchestral folders for the South Axholme Academy Wind Band was processed. Thank you so much! Also, we are very impressed with the quality of the folders, which are excellent.”

South Axholme Academy Wind Band opted for royal blue Orchestral folders with bottom pockets, each with custom gold block lettering with the band’s name, the name of the instrument, plus one folder for the conductor of course. The instruments were, Flutes, Oboe, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Clarinet 3, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Cornet 1, Cornet 2, Cornet 3, Baritone, Tenor Horn, Trombone, Tuba and Percussion.

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Marketing Manager, Alice Dagger tells us, “The Black Cat team are looking forward to meeting representatives from Wenger Corporation later this week” when they pay a visit to Black Cat Music’s Tonbridge, Kent headquarters.

Alice continued, “Black Cat Music has been exclusive UK distributor for Wenger for over 30 years now, and Master Distributor for Wenger across the whole of Europe and Russia for five years - a business relationship which deserves celebrating!”

Wenger Corporation is the recognised world leader in fully-guaranteed staging and music performance equipment that includes music stands, orchestral chairs, staging, choral risers, conductor’s equipment, acoustic solutions and full stage acoustic shells. In addition there is a range of theatre products that embraces tiered audience seating, pit filler staging, make-up stations, costume racks and stage boxes. All Wenger products come with a minimum five year guarantee but thanks to the quality of their design and build it is rare to even receive a complaint.

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Black Cat Music can offer a range of instrument storage solutions designed by Wenger. There are some very strong arguments in favour of investing in a professional storage solution – protection against accidental damage and theft of expensive expensive instruments for a start. But smart use of space can be even more critical should poorly stored instruments block fire exits. Alarmingly, this is exactly what Wenger discovered on a visit to a prestigious international school.

Wenger’s Nancy Wagner takes up the story. “Instead of using a Wenger fixed cabinet for violins – or even one of our mobile storage racks – the school chose instead to use regular wooden bookcases. The bookcases were not bolted to the wall (making for a potentially hazardous situation) and blocked the window of the classroom. The bookcases are not designed for violins, making the overall utilization of the space very poor. In fact, there were some violins left off the shelves and the instruments spilled out into the hallway. There was no room for storage inside the classroom, and yet, the Facilities Manager told me the school was in violation of the fire code as the hallway, where the bookcase/violin storage was located, was blocked.”

When visiting customers, we are often asked to provide consultation for instrument storage. Our storage cabinets are available in “fit for purpose” sizes (no need to guess how big a violin really is!). When a renovation or new school construction is imminent, the Wenger Planning Guides can guide school administrators to the realization that instrument storage is a key issue and the school needs to plan ahead.

Nancy continued, “Storage cabinets of course are an investment for schools, but in this instance, where locally provided bookshelves are not bolted to the wall and potentially may block students from a quick escape during a fire - what is the payback for investment in student safety and instrument storage security?”

Black Cat Music can offer expert advice on instrument storage, to determine the best use of space and make proposals for the most effective layout.

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