German trade bodies plan day of action

A number of German musical bodies are uniting to create a day of action next year to encourage music making. 

Similar to other countries’ own industry days, the aim is to encourage non-musicians to play music and generate extra publicity for the sector.

SOMM – Society Of Music Merchants  – is teaming up with the Federal Association of German Private Music Schools (bdpm) and the General Association of German Music Retailers (GDM) to put on a series of events throughout Germany on 18th June next year. 

Daniel Knöll, CEO of SOMM, said: “Music and musical instruments are indispensable for the development of our society and their ideals. Against this backdrop, the SOMM actively promotes cultural diversity and promotes the positive developments in music culture. 

“We see it as a challenge and our duty, to shape music education in the long-term…and to ensure the preservation of cultural diversity. With this initiative we want to show that making music is fun, connects people and is very quick to learn. 

“Music competes with an ever-growing electronic leisure market. In addition, non-specialist online retailers are replacing retailers. Music shops will disappear from the shopping streets of the cities, and finally from the minds of people.”  

Mario Müller, CEO of bdpm said: “The selection of music schools and music institutions extends from courses for toddlers to music lessons for adults and seniors. It is important for us to overcome inhibitions and to bring as many people closer to the active music-making.”