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Martin Audio WP Rigged in Just 12 Minutes for UB40 Show at St. Andrews Stadium
Within 15 minutes of completing victory over Preston North End on Easter Monday, Birmingham City’s St. Andrews stadium had been transformed into a rock concert venue.
The production team behind the staging—enabling local legends UB40 to kick off their world tour and announce their new UB45 album release—was Martin Audio partner, 22live.
At the same time the football club was able to reveal its new branding. Henceforth known as St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, the stadium provided the perfect setting for this post match entertainment. But first 22live, led by Paul Timmins, had many challenges to overcome—not least where to site the 15 ground stacks of Martin Audio WPC and WPS line array, as well as the speed of deployment to get the show underway immediately after the final whistle.
“I always wanted to do this really unique event with the Martin Audio option,” Timmins admitted. “Over the years I’ve put out many perimeter pitch-side systems, delivered half-time shows, and presented playback gigs at sports events … but there has been nothing quite like this.”
The story begins when UB40 production manager Sean Busby-Little, having been approached by the football club about the proposed event, contacted 22live. “We’ve worked a lot together in the past, including military work in Afghanistan, so I’ve known Sean a long time,” continued Timmins. “The fact we were based locally helped, as with the odd timings there was always likely to be a lot of running around.” The fact that the date was suddenly brought forward 12 days from the originally scheduled April 13th date.
Two days’ rehearsal in Digbeth helped new monitor engineer Harry Le Masurier settle in, while staging options were debated and the fact that 56 channels were required, choice of stage was paramount. He also knew this was no mere playback event … the band were going to perform live!
After dismissing other options they decided to construct the staging in the ‘sterile’ area—or empty block of seating—segregating the home and away fans in the Gil Merrick stand.
“The seats were removed, and the staging company built a two tiered stage because of the raking—set high up to avoid obscuring sightlines. Although big LED screens and lighting were able to be flown from the roof, in view of weight loading, audio was always going to be a pitch side perimeter speaker system.”
From past experience Paul Timmins was aware of safety implications, cabling challenges and the fact the speakers would need to be located behind the LED wall or advertising hoardings without blocking the access.
But because of distance variations each stand required its own unique treatment. The Main Stand is quite shallow and didn’t need as much power as the Kop side, so I chose WPS,four stacks high. On the Kop stand I used WPCs, four high because I needed more power. At the Tilton End I used WPC, three high, because I knew I could get away with less, with just two stacks WPS four high required on the Gil Merrick stage end—because coverage was only required on either side of the large center section.” Each stack was supported by an SXH218 sub.
TORUS T1230 speakers filled dead spots in corners between the Gil Merrick and the Kop stands and further T1230s and an SX118 subwoofer provided reference sound at the FOH mix position, which was located underneath the stands.
Critical to the success of the optimization was tilt angles. 22live knew that since they would be raking the system back into the stands, rather than have it tip forwards as would be customary, they could dispense with the standard WP grids in favor of straps. After verifying this custom approach with Martin Audio deployed this ingenuous solution, which would also ensure each stack could be deployed swiftly as a single self-contained unit.
Crew boss Glen Little worked closely with extra local crew, who were experienced in dealing with Martin Audio boxes. “The beauty with the weight of the Martin Audio system, was that with four people we could move each stack as a single block, keeping the bottom box strapped to the sub.”
Unlike a typical average home gate of around 19,000 this event drew 25,000 (since there was no increase in ticket price). This double header was clearly a success as the best part of 20,000 returned from the bars within 15 minutes of the end of the match to be confronted by a different scenario, with DJ Jenny Powell leading into the band, who played a full hour long set.
Summing up Paul Timmins said “It was one of those days where everything worked. To have the PA rig built and deployed in just 12 minutes from the final whistle was remarkable.”
Production also had to remain nimble, and responsive to 11th hour requests. “In addition to the live sound we discovered we had to provide a broadcast mixdown from stems to Birmingham FC TV, and at the last minute they also wanted to record it—so we brought in Phil Wright, who is such a safe pair of hands, with his own kit to do the streaming.
“On top of it all, Birmingham City, after a wretched run of form, won the game, the sun came out for the concert and UB40 played a blinding set. Sean was over the moon and I’m happy for the club because they went out on a limb to do this.”
Other key personnel who contributed to the event’s success included experienced tour manager Yaron Levy, with Russ Tite mixing at front of house. Jason McAvoy was control tech, Rylan Machin and Ryan Bass were the two system techs on duty, while other techs were Chris Wilcock and Jack Davis.
Earth Day 2024: Focusrite Group’s continued commitment to decarbonization
This Earth Day, Focusrite Group is proud to announce that it has achieved the prestigious Ecologi “For Our Planet” Gold Award and has committed to setting science-based emission reduction targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), underscoring its dedicated efforts towards sustainability and climate action
This Earth Day, Focusrite Group is proud to announce that it has achieved the prestigious Ecologi “For Our Planet” Gold Award and has committed to setting science-based emission reduction targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), underscoring its dedicated efforts towards sustainability and climate action.
In the past year, The Focusrite Group has calculated its environmental footprint down to individual component level on products and communicated transparently about its emissions in their first Environment and Climate Report published last year. This has established a solid baseline for how the Group will decarbonize moving forward. This steadfast commitment to the environment has led to the Group being honored with the Ecologi “For Our Planet” Gold Award, signifying its successful reporting, target setting, decarbonization work, and substantial funding of climate action projects.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Focusrite Group as one of their sustainability partners, aiding their support for a portfolio of high-quality, validated climate projects from around the world,” says Joshua Price, Key Account Manager at Ecologi. “Additionally, it is our pleasure to honor them with a gold award in the ‘For Our Planet’ awards. Focusrite Group is advancing impressively towards net zero through ambitious emissions reduction goals and a robust net-zero strategy.”
Furthermore, Focusrite Group has responded to the urgent call for corporate climate action by committing to align with the 1.5°C and net-zero targets through the “Business Ambition for 1.5°C” campaign. “The Focusrite Group has committed to set near-term and net-zero company-wide emission reductions in line with climate science with the SBTi,” states the Group proudly, with work underway to develop near-term and net-zero targets to be submitted for validation within 24 months.
“Aligning the Focusrite Group with this effort has been a key part of our environmental strategy,” says Andy Land, Global Head of Sustainability at Focusrite Group. “We started by looking at our internal operations, then our products, and now how we fit within our industry and beyond.”
“By committing to setting science-based targets for decarbonization we are following the latest climate science and plan to publish our ambitious targets in full. These will include annual reduction goals, ultimately forecast towards achieving net-zero emissions as early as possible. However, any actions we take on our own will not prevent global temperature rises, so we call on other companies to take the same action by committing to science-based 1.5°C and net-zero targets.”
The SBTi, a corporate climate action organization with notable partners such as CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, and WWF, provides the standards and tools for companies to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets in line with the latest climate science. Focusrite Group aligns with this mission, aiming to play a vital role in limiting global heating and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.
Focusrite Group encourages other companies to join in this imperative endeavor by also committing to science-based 1.5°C and net-zero targets, reinforcing the collective call for a sustainable and equitable future.
For more information about the Science Based Targets initiative, please visit www.sciencebasedtargets.org or follow @sciencetargets.
Eventide Appoints Mahtab Neptune as Chief Marketing Officer
Eventide Audio, at the forefront of audio technology for more than 50 years with award-winning studio processors, effects pedals, plug-ins, and broadcast products, is proud to welcome Mahtab Neptune as its Chief Marketing Officer. Neptune is a seasoned marketer with over 16 years of experience at the intersection of music and technology. Eventide General Manager ,Tony Agnello, announced Neptune’s appointment, commenting, “Mahtab Neptune brings a sharp understanding of customer behavior, an ability to predict market trends as they are developing and a dedication to music creators and innovation in their interactivity with the tools that channel that creativity. We are delighted that Eventide now has the benefit of her insights.”
In her new role, which she began at NAMM time this year, Neptune reports directly to Agnello. “I’m honored to have joined the Eventide Audio crew and collaborate with such an innovative team,” said Neptune. “I have long admired the ingenuity of their products and how it has shaped the world of music production. Now speaking from the inside I am truly blown away by the company’s innovative mindset and the passion everyone shares. As the CMO, I plan to continue to cement the brand’s leadership in pro-audio, push creative boundaries and contribute to the evolution of the music tech landscape.”
“Eventide has been an engineering-driven company since its inception,” Agnello continued. “While our fascination with and commitment to developing and deploying new technologies for audio manipulation are unwavering, we recognize that there’s more to be done to expand our presence in the marketplace and help even more end users make great music. Mahtab has the perfect perspective and experience to guide that expansion.”
Most recently, as the VP of Marketing at the all-in-one music creation solution provider Beatclub, Neptune was at the forefront of ensuring Beatclub’s strong presence as a SaaS startup and driving the company’s growth, including spearheading key collaborations with Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Def Jam, Mastercard and ESPN. Within the first year, she achieved a massive spike in customer acquisition and retention.
Prior to Beatclub, Neptune spent nearly a decade at Native Instruments, where she honed her pedigree as a global marketing expert with strategic storytelling formats that set benchmarks for the pro-audio industry at large. Neptune took a bottom-up approach at NI, aggressively expanding its marketing efforts into new countries and markets across the globe, resulting in consistent and substantial year-over-year growth.
Throughout her career, Neptune has demonstrated her skills as a hands-on brand builder, participating in developing products that foster both inspiration and education in the music and pro-audio space. As a thought leader in the music creation and professional audio spaces, Neptune has contributed to industry conferences and mentored non-profits such as SXSW, Queensfest, Intersessions, Notes for Notes, and Girls Make Beats.
Gibson Gives and FirstBank Amphitheater Music Education Program
Jason Golden (Superintendent of Schools, Williamson County), Rick McEachern and Nancy McEachern (Owners, FirstBank Amphitheater), Erica Krusen (Global Executive Director Gibson Gives), Demetra Kopulos (VIP Program Manager, FirstBank Amphitheater), Alex Tinker (Project Manager, Gibson Gives), and Mark Kinzer (Director of Fine Arts, Williamson County)
Gibson Gives the non-profit division of the legendary music brand Gibson, is honored to partner once again with FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin, TN to raise funds to support Williamson County Public Schools and music education initiatives. This year, Gibson Gives and FirstBank Amphitheater brought their selection of 22 guitars signed by Lana Del Rey, Noel Gallagher, Tenacious D, Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, Chicago, Tears For Fears, Kenny Loggins, Steve Miller Band, Goo Goo Dolls, and more to theMusic Icons Auction from Julien’s and raised $48,825.00 this spring. To date, the Gibson Gives and FirstBank FirstBank Amphitheater Music Education Program has raised and over $120,000 for Williamson County Public Schools.
“United in our commitment, we stand with FirstBank Amphitheater in our efforts to support Williamson County schools, recognizing the invaluable role of music and arts education in shaping young minds and fostering growth for every student.”
–Erica Krusen, Gibson Gives, Global Executive Director
“We are thrilled to once again partner with Gibson to benefit the music arts program in Williamson County,” says Rick McEachern, Owner of FirstBank Amphitheater. “This is another record fund raising year with participation from the legendary performers to help support the next generation of music talent.”
All proceeds from the Music Icons guitar auction have been donated to the Gibson Gives and FirstBank Amphitheater music education program whose initiatives have now raised over $120,000 to support the next generation of musicians in Williamson County’s public schools. Highlights from the auction included a Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Re-issue Guitar in Dirty Lemonfinish with gently-flamed maple top with accurate vintage appearance signed by singer, songwriter, and record producer Lana Del Rey; a 2021 Gibson CS-356 electric guitar, finished in Faded Cherry signed by Oasis lead guitarist and songwriter Noel Gallagher; a 2022 Gibson G-Writer Generation acoustic guitar, in a Satin Natural finish and signed by founding Tenacious D members Jack Black and Kyle Gass with additional angel and devil drawings covering the body of the guitar; and guitars signed by Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, Chicago, Tears For Fears, Garbage, Kenny Loggins, Steve Miller Band, Goo Goo Dolls, and more.
Gibson supports the music community via its philanthropic endeavor, Gibson Gives, assisting non-profit organizations in their efforts to advance musicians, youth-focused music education, health and wellness initiatives, and inclusive musical partnerships. The Gibson Gives Scholarship program has provided direct financial support to young students with music career aspirations and is on track to help many more players in 2024. Gibson Gives a 501(c)(3), is committed to cultivating and offering steadfast support for all communities. To date, Gibson Gives has raised over $4.5 million and enabled $46 million in funding for key organizations through product donations and meaningful giving worldwide, with 100 percent of all donations to and from Gibson Gives going towards providing the gift of music.
FirstBank Amphitheater is a world-class boutique amphitheater nestled within a beautiful, wooded, natural stone and park-like setting. Located at the Graystone Quarry in Thompson’s Station at the southern border of Franklin, Tennessee, FirstBank Amphitheater is an iconic location for memorable music experiences for fans and artists. For more information visit: www.firstbankamphitheater.com.
Fender 70th Strat Giveaway: ‘Show Us Your Strat’
Fender is thrilled to announce the “Show Us Your Strat®” 70th Anniversary Strat Giveaway—a celebration of seven decades of the iconic Stratocaster®! Join FMIC for six weeks of excitement as the company gives away 70 Player Strat guitars in the special Anniversary 2-Color Burst finish to our email and Instagram communities. Plus, one lucky grand prize winner will receive a Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition 1954 Stratocaster, which they can customize with the expert FCS team!
Participating in weekly prompts on Instagram (@fender) where Fender will encourage our community to share their own Strat stories, fan art, and more using the campaign hashtag (up to 6 additional entries)
More than just a giveaway, “Show Us Your Strat®” is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Stratocaster®, bringing players together to celebrate their musical journeys and the timeless impact of this first-class instrument. Fans are encouraged to join the festivities and make their mark in the history of the Stratocaster®. April 22-June 2. Winners will be selected in June 2024.
Participating regions include: United States, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and Australia.
PK Sound Welcomes Calgary’s UVS to Growing Partner Network
UVS Calgary Warehouse Manager, Larry Grosfield; Audio Technician, Fabian Liebrand; President, Aaron Buchanan, and Rigging Manager, Jake Wilson, with the company’s PK Sound T8 robotic line source system
PK Sound, the robotic line array company, has welcomed Calgary, Canada-based live production powerhouse Unlimited Video Staging (UVS) to its growing partner network following the company’s investment in a T8 robotic line source system. UVS has already taken advantage of T8’s patented Multi-Axis Robotics to mitigate noise pollution while still delivering high-impact live entertainment in densely populated urban areas. ACT Entertainment is the exclusive distributor of PK Sound in North America.
“UVS has a longstanding reputation as a national leader in video production technologies and services, so when we decided to expand our offerings into live audio, we sought cutting-edge solutions that would elevate the experiences we deliver for our clients and partners,” says Aaron Buchanan, Founder and CEO of UVS. “PK Sound’s robotic line arrays sound incredible and offer an unprecedented degree of control in shaping acoustic coverage to the contours of any venue or environment our work may take us.”
The company’s initial investment includes twenty-four T8 robotic line source elements and twelve T18 intelligent subwoofers. The system is driven by a PK Cell, which combines power, signal and data distribution in a modular, globally standardized touring rack, and is controlled via PK .dynamics software.
C. F. Martin & Co. Celebrates Earth Day 2024
As the world celebrates Earth Day, C. F. Martin & Co.® proudly reaffirms its commitment to environmental stewardship with a trio of initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability across its operations.
From the unveiling of its latest Biosphere model to the release of its annual Impact Report and the grand opening of a new museum display dedicated to sustainability, Martin Guitar continues to set the standard for eco-conscious innovation in the musical instruments industry.
DSS Biosphere™ II
Dedicated to preserving our planet for future generations, Martin Guitar is proud to reinforce that call to action this Earth Day with the all-new DSS Biosphere™ II
Featuring another stunning work from acclaimed artist Robert Goetzl, the third model in our Planet Earth series takes us back to the depths of the ocean, in the waters off the coast of Hawaii, where humpback whales raise their calves. Researchers are working around the clock to create an environment there that’s safe for humpbacks to raise their young, providing safety from manmade dangers like plastic pollution, vessel collisions, and climate change.
The DSS Biosphere II is a tribute to the Keiki Kohola Project – Caring for Calves in Maui Waters, a nonprofit that promotes the protection of humpback whale mother and calf pairs during their time in Hawaiian waters. In addition to helping raise awareness for this wonderful cause, C. F. Martin & Co. has also made a generous monetary donation to the organization.
This model is FSC® certified (license code FSC-C008304) and 100% plastic-free, following the precedent set by our previous two Planet Earth models, the 00L Earth and OM Biosphere. Like the OM Biosphere, it’s compliant with the Preferred by Nature (PBN) Sustainability Standards (license code PBN-SFP-039001) and adorned with the PBN Hummingbird Seal. Even the softshell case is sustainable – made from hemp.
Whether you hear trees rustling in the wind, water lapping on the shores, or whale songs echoing through the depths of the ocean, all nature has its own song to sing. With the DSS Biosphere II, Martin hopes to raise awareness of protecting those environments, and the beautiful music they create.
Impact Report
Three years ago, Martin developed an annual Impact Report to highlight some of the company’s efforts to care for its employees, community, and the environment. It serves as a framework to advance these efforts and provide an update of annual progress. Key highlights of the 2023 annual report include:
Employees: Without the dedicated employees who show up every day and take pride in making the best acoustic guitars and strings in the world, Martin would not be thriving today. Programs like an employee wellness program, education reimbursement, and training opportunities help to ensure our co-workers’ well-being.
Community: Martin Guitar remains deeply invested in the communities where it operates. Since 1996, the Martin Charitable Foundation has supported the company’s engagement with nonprofit music, arts, education, environmental action, and human service organizations. Last year, the Foundation awarded $485,500 in grants to over 85 nonprofit organizations.
Environment: Protecting the environment is of utmost importance to Martin Guitar. In 2023, the company supported domestic and international reforestation efforts, participated in one of the biggest green movements in Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico, and launched the second in a series of sustainable Earth Day guitar models that are FSC® certified and 100% plastic-free.
The release of this year’s Impact Report reinforces Martin Guitar’s position as a leader in the music industry and sets a new standard for corporate transparency and accountability.
Museum Exhibit
Martin Guitar is also proud to announce the grand opening of its latest museum exhibit titled Sustainability at Martin Guitar. Located at the Martin Guitar Museum in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, the exhibit opens on Earth Day and will highlight the steps taken by Martin Guitar to reduce its environmental footprint and promote sustainability across its operations.
Sustainability at Martin Guitar will feature several guitars on display, including a Martin SWD, 00L Earth, and 00-DB Jeff Tweedy, along with artifacts relating to the company’s long history of sustainability, like an original copy of its 1990 ecological policy, and various certificates and awards the company has received over the years.
Visitors will also learn about the importance of community and culture at Martin Guitar. Beyond crafting exceptional instruments, the company feels a deep sense of commitment to giving back to its local communities and taking care of its employees.
The exhibit will remain open to the public for one year, offering visitors of all ages the opportunity to learn, engage, and be inspired.
Sustainability at Martin Guitar promises to be a must-see destination for music lovers, environmental enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about making a difference. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this transformative experience.
Guitar Center Celebrates Grand Re-Opening of Newly Expanded Westlake Village Location
Guitar Center celebrates the re-opening of its Westlake Village, CA retail location, situated at 30730 Russell Ranch Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91362 (at the Shoppes at Westlake Village). The newly renovated store has added 2,500 Sq. Ft. of retail space, and updated features at the store include the Platinum Room, expanded Acoustic Room, Recording Room, Pedal Table, Drum area, Keys area, Repairs area, and New Guitar Wall. The grand re-opening took place Thursday, April 11, through Sunday, April 14, allowing visitors to rediscover the store and explore new interactive features, increased inventory, and the updated store layout.
To celebrate the grand re-opening, GC Westlake Village was offering exclusive events and offers all weekend long. Visitors signing up for lessons got 25% off the first lesson and free registration, plus a free Epiphone electric guitar pack for the first 30 signups for a month of lessons. The main event took place on Saturday, April 13, featuring a live set from DJ/producer Val Fleury, who has spun for audiences around the world including parties and festivals such as Coachella, Miami Music Week, and The Roots Picnic and more. Visitors also enjoyed a free group guitar lesson with acclaimed singer-songwriter Adam Melchor, followed by a Q&A session and special performance.
Guitar Center Westlake Village store General Manager Guy Murai noted, “We couldn’t be more excited to present the grand re-opening of our Westlake Village location. The weekend celebration was a real musicians homecoming, with old customers and new friends joining us to celebrate us being part of their musical lives. We look forward seeing our customers take advantage of all the expanded gear offerings and services we’ve added within our store.”
The Westlake Village store offers an expansive set of services and gear to serve the music needs of the community and features modern showrooms equipped with the latest products for musicians — from guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments and keyboards to live sound, DJ, lighting and recording equipment, along with helpful support in-store from expert gear advisors.
In-store services include:
– Guitar Center Lessons, a convenient and affordable music education experience for players of all ages and skill levels, offering students the opportunity to learn to play the music they love
– Guitar Center Repairs, an on-site maintenance and repairs service
– Guitar Center Rentals, providing easy rentals of instruments and other gear
– Hands-on electronic music experience, where shoppers can try their hand at modern DJ techniques using the latest gear
Guitar Center Westlake Village store and studio hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am-9 pm
Sat: 10am-9pm
Sun: 11am-7pm
Vintage Series Chic with SONOR Semi-Gloss Teak
The New Teak Semi-Gloss veneer finish brings simple elegance to the popular Vintage series. With classic styling that feels like something familiar for decades, this brand-new look was hand-selected to fit the retro cool of these iconic drums. Combining coarsely grained texture along with a warm, medium-toned heartwood look, this offering harkens back to the late 1960s and early 1970s. The new teak veneer is applied to German Beech shells appointed with SONOR teardrop lugs and superprofile hoops, producing the timeless analog sound in a digital world that Vintage Series has become known for. “These drums are immortal,” remarks SONOR brand Manager Jeff Mulvihill. “It’s truly a look and sound that never goes out of style.”
Made in Germany, SONOR Vintage Series drums produce the full and articulate sound characteristics that SONOR is known for. The nine ply 6mm beech shells exude full, warm tone with evenly balanced lows, mids, and highs that project like no other instrument. Hand-crafted using the SONOR proprietary Cross-Laminated Tension Free (CLTF) process and Optimum Shell Measurements (OSM), the slightly undersized diameters allow for perfect contact between the shell and the drumhead in all tunings. With great sound a prerequisite, standard TuneSafe lugs and Remo USA drumheads ensure tuning stability, while the Semi-Gloss Teak supplies the look that’s chic.
String Orchestra Releases from Wingert-Jones Publications Achieve New Heights
A range of new string ensemble music, Wingert-Jones Publications’ 2024-2025 String Orchestra Music release comprises original and newly arranged works that explore fresh ground and varying styles. With 20 new pieces, the publisher presents a balanced catalog with new pieces for each type of concert program and at every grade level. The 2024 release also includes live professional recordings and ScoreVideos of each piece, along with individual Composer Insights videos, all of which facilitate easy music review and selection, and can be used as tools with students in the classroom. The recordings are streaming now on all major platforms, as well as on the publisher’s website.
“Each new work in this year’s Wingert-Jones Publications Orchestra release encompasses a story of something greater than ourselves – our history, the cosmos, infinity, the wildness and freedom of stallions running free,” explains Tyler Arcari, Director of Music Production and Editing. “The composers who make up this year’s release have really elevated the catalog and I can’t wait for directors to discover and program these new works.”
The publisher’s 2024-25 String Orchestra release includes pieces from composers Bruce W. Tippette, Doug Spata, Erica Donahoe, Gary Fagan, George Sweet, John Dupuis, John M. Pasternak, Perry Holbrook, Steve Parsons, and Vince Gassi, as well as the following new composers who the publisher welcomes into its orchestra catalog: Jay Coles, Mark Lortz and Chris Ferguson.
Each score, and its accompanying parts, are meticulously edited and set for ease of reading and include unique features to increase accessibility and help facilitate efficient rehearsals. Optional bowings have been carefully selected to provide an educationally sound experience from the first read. The catalog has been organized to clearly delineate grade levels following Wingert-Jones Publications’ color-coded series names which help directors select the most appropriate music for their ensembles: First Achievement (.5), Early Achievement (1), Achievement (1.5), Achievement Plus (2-2.5), Concert (3-3.5) and Symphonic (4 and up). In addition to the professional recordings of the new pieces, the publisher is providing ScoreVideos, preview scores and Composer Insights videos on its website.
Wingert-Jones Publications’ 2024-2025 String Orchestra music is available from music retailers and the publisher.
KHS America Welcomes John Richardson as New Artist and Educator Relations Manager
KHS America is pleased to announce that John Richardson has joined their team as Artist & Educator Relations Manager. In this role, Richardson will guide artist relations activity for all brands, while also assuming direct responsibility for U.S. based artists representing Jupiter Band Instruments, XO Brass, Altus Flutes, and Majestic Percussion. He will also manage the extensive KHS America Academic Alliance grant program in support of educational clinics and will take the lead on other educator outreach programs for the company.
“I’m really excited to return to the KHS America family,” says Richardson. “It’s truly an honor to collaborate with such a talented team and an amazingly diverse and passionate group of artists. We are so fortunate to have such strong support from influential performers and educators across the range of our brands.”
John was previously the Winds Brand Manager at KHS America from 2014 to 2019 and has an impressive history of music industry experience as a performing artist, educator, retailer, brand manager and most recently as National Sales Manager for St. Louis Music.
“We’re incredibly excited to have John Richardson back home, in this important role to which he is so well suited,” states KHS America President, Jerry Goldenson. “His knowledge of our business, existing relationships with so many of our artists, deep understanding of music education, and first-hand experience as a performing artist himself are a perfect match to lead our outreach efforts into the future.”
Woodwind & Brasswind to Join Music & Arts
Music & Arts (M&A) announces that, after four decades of serving pro players and beginners alike, sister brand Woodwind & Brasswind (WWBW) is joining M&A. The two organizations – both part of the Guitar Center family of brands, and both leaders in serving the band & orchestra markets nationwide – will now be operating solely as Music & Arts, offering an enhanced musical experience for educators and musicians across the country.
WWBW has served as a robust and reliable ecommerce platform, and their loyal customers will now experience a more seamless integration between the ecommerce and in-store retail experiences, along with lessons services, personalized assistance from a knowledgeable sales team, the nation’s largest band and orchestra repair network, and unlimited educational content geared toward musicians of all levels. Additionally, WWBW customers new to M&A are now able to complete transactions online and pick up (or return) their purchases at any of M&A’s 250+ retail locations. And as WWBW joins M&A, the customer service call center will consolidate, offering even more expertise and availability than before. Existing WWBW customers will be encouraged to migrate to musicarts.com with personalized assistance and incentives to help aid in the transition.
Jeff Gottlieb, President of Music & Arts, states, “Our goal is to create a more unified customer experience, and the time is right to combine the brands and offer the same benefits to WWBW customers that Music & Arts customers have enjoyed for years, such as our physical retail locations, lessons program, in-store hands-on experiences and events, and our repair network. Woodwind & Brasswind has been working alongside Music & Arts for 17 years. With our combined expertise and resources, we know we can create a harmonious new future that allows musicians and educators to access the products, resources, and support that they need.”
Within 15 minutes of completing victory over Preston North End on Easter Monday, Birmingham City’s St. Andrews stadium had been transformed into a rock concert venue.
Eventide Audio
Fender
As the world celebrates Earth Day, 
Guitar Center
The New Teak Semi-Gloss veneer finish brings simple elegance to the popular Vintage series. With classic styling that feels like something familiar for decades, this brand-new look was hand-selected to fit the retro cool of these iconic drums. Combining coarsely grained texture along with a warm, medium-toned heartwood look, this offering harkens back to the late 1960s and early 1970s. The new teak veneer is applied to German Beech shells appointed with 
A range of new string ensemble music, 
KHS America
Music & Arts
