The global musical instrument industry is taking another important step towards strategic cooperation in Europe with the announcement that the UK’s Music Industries Association (MIA) has officially joined European Soundmakers – Musical Instrument Confederation (ESM). With the addition of the MIA, European Soundmakers collectively represents the largest number of MI businesses across the European continent.
“European Soundmakers was created to give the European musical instrument sector a stronger collective voice and a long-term strategic perspective. Bringing together national associations across Europe allows us to think bigger, cooperate more closely and strengthen the future of active music-making across European markets.”
Jérôme Perrod, President of European Soundmakers – Musical Instrument Confederation (ESM)
Topics such as music education, the cultural importance of music-making, and developing technologies will be focus for ESM moving forward. The MIA’s membership represents not only an expansion of the network, but also reflects the growing ambition of the European musical instrument sector to think and act more strategically and collaboratively. At the same time, the membership of the MIA underlines a shared understanding that the United Kingdom remains — more than ever — an essential
part of Europe’s musical and cultural industry ecosystem. The future of music-making in Europe will depend on stronger cooperation, closer exchanges and a more connected European musical instrument community across borders and markets.
“Across the UK, we are facing the same challenges and opportunities that exist in Europe ensuring that musicians have access to the resources they need for the best possible outcomes. Joining European Soundmakers is a natural step toward creating a more connected and effective European MI community, that can unite around these aims.” Anthony Short, Executive Director of the Music Industries Association (MIA)
What does this mean for you?
As an MIA member company you are automatically included in any project that is undertaken by European Soundmakers. Because of the agreement that has been entered into the MIA will be represented at both Board & Executive levels within the new organisation, and will be contributing to projects that will be beneficial to the UK MI Sector.
What doesn’t change is any of the benefits that the MIA delivers locally, the membership of European Soundmakers is there to supplement rather than replace.
Who are European Soundmakers?
European Soundmakers is an independent European umbrella organisation representing the musical instrument and music equipment industries as well as associated craftsmanship sectors across Europe. The organisation brings together national associations and key industry leaders to strengthen cooperation, represent shared interests with one coordinated European voice and support the sustainable future of the European MI sector.
What kind of things will they be working on?
The focus will be on areas where the interests of individual associations align, and collaborative efforts will not only be more efficient, but have a greater chance of achieving a more positive outcome.
A good example is lobbying around the CITES regulations; European Soundmakers will harmonise all of the advocacy work that is currently ongoing at country level and make it easier to feed this into the various political and organisational touchpoints across Europe and the Globe – ensuring a powerful message that embraces the views of all local stakeholders
Clearly this is the start of a process, and more updates will be shared over the coming weeks, but please feel free to get in touch if you would like any further information.
