Upfront

Universal Percussion Dismisses Suit Against Zildjian
Christian Wissmuller | Upfront | June 13, 2016
Universal Percussion, distributor of Wuhan cymbals,has voluntarily dismissed the trademark infringement action it filed against Avedis Zildjian last month relating to Avedis Zildjian's allegedly unauthorized use of Universal Percussion's S mark.
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SLM Acquires Compass Ligatures
Christian Wissmuller | Upfront | June 8, 2016
St. Louis Music (SLM) has purchased of Compass Ligatures, a unique ligature system that can be applied across all types of saxophone and clarinet.
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NAMM Members Advocate for Music Education in Washington, D.C.
Christian Wissmuller | Upfront | June 2, 2016
In late May, NAMM, along with 91 music industry leaders and artists made up a delegation of advocates furthering the case that all children deserve quality, comprehensive school music education programs during the NAMM Music Education Advocacy D.C. Fly-In (May 23-26, 2016).
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Sweetwater Presents GearFest ’16
Christian Wissmuller | Upfront | June 1, 2016
Sweetwater will present GearFest ’16, a celebration of musicians and the instruments and audio gear they use to make and record music, on Friday, June 17 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, June 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Sweetwater campus, 5501 US Hwy 30 W, Fort Wayne, Indiana. GearFest is free and open to the public.
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Fred Gretsch Receives Honorary Degree From Elmhurst College
Christian Wissmuller | Upfront | May 31, 2016
Fred W. Gretsch was presented with an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Elmhurst College at the school’s Spring Commencement on May 28, 2016.
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NAMM Presents SupportMusic Champion Award
Christian Wissmuller | Upfront | May 26, 2016
At a reception held on May 24, NAMM presented leading artists, creative luminaries and champions of arts education from the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities program, Turnaround Arts, with the SupportMusic Champion award.
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SLM Upgrades Core Systems to Manage Rapid Growth
Christian Wissmuller | Upfront | May 26, 2016
St. Louis Music (SLM) has launched its new Epicor 10 enterprise management software and overhauled hardware systems.
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Hal Leonard Purchases Music Minus One
Christian Wissmuller | Upfront | May 19, 2016
Hal Leonard Corporation has purchased Music Minus One. The joint announcement was made by Keith Mardak, CEO of Hal Leonard, and Irv Kratka, owner and founder of Music Minus One.
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Musikmesse 2017: Organizers Announce Dates
Christian Wissmuller | Upfront | May 19, 2016
Musikmesse 2017 will be held April 5 – 8, 2017. In sequencing the days from Wednesday to Saturday the organisers are taking account of experiences gathered from the past event as well as of the wishes of the musical instrument industry and the affiliated associations, as expressed in discussions and exhibitor polls.
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NAMM Urges California State Leaders to Update Visual and Performing Arts Standards
Christian Wissmuller | Upfront | May 18, 2016
On Thursday, May 19, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and representatives from its membership will travel to Sacramento to join arts leaders and music educators to ask members of the California Assembly for their support in updating the state’s Visual and Performing Arts standards (VAPA).
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Whirlwind Expands New York Factory
Christian Wissmuller | Upfront | May 13, 2016
Whirlwind, a leading interface manufacturer for the live event, audio installations, effects pedals, and theater industries, announced that they are completing a 13,000-square-foot expansion of their New York factory to handle the rapid growth the 41-year-old company has been experiencing.
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Butera and NAfME Part Ways
Christian Wissmuller | Upfront | May 11, 2016
On Wednesday, May 11^th, after a tumultuous few days which had set the blogosphere/social media a-flutter (due to comments made by NAfME leader Michael Butera in April that many deemed to suggest racial bias), the organization released the following statement:
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