This year’s Music China is promised to be all-encompassing. Asia’s preeminent trade show, which will open next week from October 14 – 17, features 1,782 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions across 105,000 sqm of exhibition space, the biggest ever to date.
Together with a wide spectrum of forums, conferences, performances and activities, the show is set to convey its key message: business, education and music and culture appreciation to the industry peers.
Showcasing at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre are key industry players and brands including Alfred, ABRSM, Bach, Bluethner, Boesendorfer, Buffet, Casio, D’Addario, Fazioli, Fender, GEWA, Ibanez, Kawai, Ludwig, Marshall, Medeli, Music Sales, Ovation, Pearl, Pearl River, Petrof, PRS, Roland, Selmer, Samick, Schimmel, Steinway, Tama, Tascam, Taylor, and Yamaha.
More high-end brands have joined Music China in recent years providing show visitors a more diverse range of musical instruments. They include first-time exhibitor Bergerault from France. The 80-year-old percussion producer will display their new creations: five octaves Marimba bass, new design vibraphone, top-of-the-range timpani, bass drums and the brand new orchestra chair “PHILHARMONIE”, specially designed for the Philharmonie de Paris. “We have noticed that Chinese musicians have a high music practice level and it is essential that they have access to high-quality instruments. Music China will help us promote the Bergerault brand in China and more widely to the Asian market,” explained David Alaime, a representative for Bergerault.
Another show newcomer, Palace Piano from Germany will be showing their historic Erard grand piano and other antique and luxurious pianos at Music China. Ms Claudia Klinkenberg, a representative for the company spoke about the importance of the show: “Music China is not only about China, it’s about the world coming together to promote, explain and cooperate with each other for different instruments.”
Cristofori Music from Singapore will feature their grand pianos that are transformed from upright pianos. Ms Koh Lee Ching, Sales & Marketing Director of the company shared: “Music China has over 10 years of strong background organised by the leading music shows’ organiser in the world. The show matches well with our future global market planning and development.”
Mr Indrek Laul and Mr Eric Ni from Estonia Piano Factory are looking forward to establishing a regional dealer network in China and surrounding Asian countries, for which Music China is the right place to go. “We are among the very few European piano makers that make grand pianos only. As a special feature for Music China and for re-entering the China market, we have made the Estonia Concert Grand Piano model 274.”
Gallery of Masterpieces will showcase exquisite violins crafted by master makers including Feng Jiang, Florian Leonhard, Gregg Alf, Jan Spidlen, Jeff Phillips, Joseph Curtin, Samuel Zygmuntowicz, Scott Cao, Simeone Morassi, Stefan-Peter Greiner and Stephan von Baehr. More varieties and popular musical instruments can be found in the show’s pavilions from Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Taiwan and the UK.
Fringe activities engage attendees in music, business and culture
Business strategies, music education and culture are the three main driving forces behind the MI industry. As the preeminent trade fair in Asia, Music China has invited industry elites, experts, professors and musicians to reveal their experience, successful business tips and knowledge in the show’s well-rounded fringe programme:
NAMM CMIA Industry Forum and NAMM University Courses
The events offer a great opportunity for business exchange and networking. Numerous industry experts will share their successful business tips in improving customer-base, sales and marketing techniques, retail and online business, business strategies for medium to small-scaled retailers and how to avoid brain drain.
Music Education Conference
For the first time, Music China has jointly organised the Music Conference with the Chinese Society for Music Education (CSME) and supported by NAMM, which will be held from 12 – 16 October at Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao. Music eduation experts from China and the US will provide insights in different education aspects to more than a thousand music teachers. One of the hottest topics is music making promotes neuroplasticity and language development in early childhood. Speakers include:
• Gabriella Musacchia, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
• Anne Fennell, Performing Arts Chair and Instrumental and Music Composition Teacher at Mission Vista High School in Vista, CA. Sub-Committee Music Writing Team member for the National Core Arts Music Standards, Member of the NAfME IN-ovations Council
• Victor Fung, Professor of Music Education, Director of Center for Music Education Research
Music China Educational Programme
The programme covers music education for kids, adults, amateurs and professionals. Attendees can experience digital music learning, the fusion of Chinese traditional and Western music culture and different instruments from a variety of music master and free trial classes.
Seminars of Technology and Innovation
A range of topics with a focus on music web application and MIDI technology will be addressed at the seminars.
Global Forum on Chinese Traditional Music
Professors at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and famous Chinese musicians will teach the performance skills of Chinese traditional instruments.
Stringed and Bowed Instruments series programme
Violin makers from Italy and other master creators will show their exquisite craftsmanship techniques.
Kid’s Music Castle and charity programme
By touching and trying out real instruments, kids can discover the world of music and sound, which fosters their enthusiasm for music learning. Furthermore, a charity programme – Donation Campaign for Children with Autism with a live performance by autistic children and fundraising activities will be held.
Hundreds of stars and celebrities at three stages in four days
Held alongside the four-day show are a thousand indoor and outdoor live shows featuring world-class stars, celebrities and a Grammy Award winner including:
• Pianist Mr Maksim Mrvica from Croatia will perform and hold a press conference on 15 October
• Taiwanese pop singer and composer Mr Crowd Lu will have a free concert and press interview on 16 October
• Five-time Grammy Award winner Mr Victor Wooten
• SchoolJam winner Superheld
• Sync with the energetic beats at Drum Circles facilitated by Kumi Masunaga
• Classical guitar winner Mr Ewan Dobson from Canada
• Famous heavy metal rock band Dead Shape Figure from Finland
• China’s post-hardcore and metalcore girl band — Must Be RED
• New Grassland shows the fusion of Chinese traditional and Western music
• Famous jazz, fusion bass player and Oscar Peterson Lifetime Achievement Award winner Mr Alain Caron
• Guitar player from The Republic of Cabo Verde, Mr Adriel Pires, the octopus man
For more details about Music China 2015, please visit www.musikmesse-china.com or send an email to music@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com. Other shows under the Musikmesse brand include:
Musikmesse
7 – 10 April 2016, Frankfurt
NAMM Musikmesse Russia
15 – 18 September 2016, Moscow
For more information about Musikmesse fairs, please visit www.musikmesse.com.
