‘A house full of music’ akustika - the trade fair for music is the meeting place for musicians and instrument makers

Nuremberg - akustika Nuremberg is divided into the themed areas of ‘String and plucked instruments’, ‘Keyboard instruments’ and ‘Brass and woodwind instruments’. For the first time, akustika will have separate sections for flute, percussion and accordion. The ‘Trade Fair for Music’ thus covers an even broader spectrum and offers products from all instrument groups for musicians, from beginners to professionals. Separate areas allow visitors to play the high-quality instruments in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. Ten high-quality instruments are presented in the piano parlour and can be played.

Focus on handcrafted instrument making

The exhibitor portfolio will be more international in 2025. From small craft businesses to medium-sized industrial companies and suppliers of materials and tools. Manufacturers of accessories, music publishers and wholesalers will also be present at akustika. Exhibitors also include companies such as Adams Musical Instruments, Buffet Crampon, C. Bechstein, Forestone, Miyazawa Flutes, Petrof, Pirastro, Roland Meinl Musikinstrumente, Schott Musikverlag, Steinway, Yamaha Music and many more, as well as numerous violin makers from Bubenreuth and Italy, among others.

Top-class stage programmes

There will be a top-class concert programme on five stages on all days of the fair. Renowned concert musicians and big bands will be taking part. The Centre Stage will present the whole variety of popular music at the weekend with over ten big bands and additional folk, jazz and Latin combos. The programme will be complemented by performances by solo artists. The North Bavarian Music Association is responsible for the programme on the stages in the entrance area. This is also where the newly founded brass quintet of the Nuremberg State Philharmonic Orchestra will present its debut ‘Festive Wind Music’ on Friday.

At akustika on Friday, the German Musical Instrument Prize for concert guitar and tenor horn will be awarded by the President of the German Music Council, Prof Martin Maria Krüger. The first akustika music competition was launched by the German music academies in parallel with the two instruments.

Numerous piano and choir concerts will also take place on the Acoustic Stage. The composer portraits are a new format at akustika. Here, orchestras will present passages of different musical styles and difficulties for other conductors and orchestra directors under the direction of the composers. Through the North Bavarian Music Association, 15 international composers will be on site to present themselves and their works: Jacob de Haan, Peter Kleine Schaars, Marco Pütz, Otto M. Schwarz, Dominik Wagner, Mathias Wehr, Andreas Ziegelbäck, Gauthier Dupertuis, Georges Sadeler, Gerald Oswald, Nelson Jesus, Thomas Asanger, Bart Picqueur and Nigel Clarke.

The positive feedback after akustika 2024 has encouraged the organisers to create a centre for European instrument making within the framework of akustika. The aim is to create a regular platform for professional exchange, training and knowledge transfer in the heart of Europe, combined with a showcase for the various manufacturers and producers. akustika thus closes a gap in the international trade fairs for music and instrument making.

New: Masterclasses at akustika Nuremberg

The akustika masterclasses are aimed specifically at music teachers and professional musicians, with a particular focus on wind instruments, keyboard instruments, percussion and flute. Highlights include the violin masterclass with Dutch violin soloist Yvonne Smeulers (Friday, 4 April 2025, 14:00-15:30), the trumpet masterclass with Prof. Wolfgang Guggenberger (Saturday, 5 April 2025, 11:00-12:30) and the piano masterclass with Evgenia Rubinova (Saturday, 5 April 2025, 10:00-12:30). All masterclasses can be booked via the akustika ticket shop.
https://www.akustika-nuernberg.de/en/programme/masterclasses/

Large workshop programme

Professional and amateur musicians as well as teachers can continue their education in the varied workshop programme. There are 45 practice-orientated courses for beginners and advanced students. Topics include acoustic design and miking, AI for musicians, improvisation made easy and an introduction to the next generation of music notation software. There are also tips on buying instruments, information on instrument insurance and the presentation of new practice methods. The interactive event formats are open to all participants.

In close co-operation with the Tonkünstlerverband, seminars are held at the highest level for the instrument groups. The influence of the musical equipment can also be included by the exhibitors on site. In the separate Musication room, beginners' group courses for percussion and vibraphone will be held throughout the three days of the fair. Masterclasses and specialist lectures from the Association of German Piano Makers are planned for the piano area.

The ‘Education Centre’ at akustika is growing and the topic of training is becoming more important. The aim is to find and promote new young professionals. One item on the programme is the ‘Day of Crafts’ on Friday, 4 April, which is organised in cooperation with the Bavarian Chambers of Crafts

New: Factory Tours

Following akustika, some exhibitors will be inviting visitors to visit their workshops on 7 April as part of Factory Tours. The following Factory Tours are on offer: C. Bechstein Centrum Nürnberg, Gebrüder Mönnig Holzblasinstrumente, Geigenbau Lobe, August Förster, Neureiter Klarinetten- und Querflötenbau and Louis Renner. This offer is aimed primarily at international visitors, but also at those interested in combining a visit to akustika with another item on the programme. The Factory Tours can be booked directly through the respective exhibitors.

https://www.akustika-nuernberg.de/en/programme/factory-tours-2025/ 

Highlights in the stage programme

Numerous renowned big bands, ensembles and soloists have been recruited for akustika 2025 for over 85 live performances and sophisticated concerts.

Visitors can see and hear all the instrument groups on show in action on five parallel stages. International artists and regional ensembles will be taking part. There will be a variety of genres and styles to experience, from classical music to modern jazz and big band sounds. Musical highlights include the Sax Royal Walking Act, the exclusive world premiere of the children's concert ‘Tara’ and four reading sessions, including with the Veitshöchheim Army Music Corps and the Bamberg and Lichtenfels district orchestras. akustika begins on Friday, 4 April with a highlight: the presentation of the Musical Instrument Award will take place as part of the official opening of the trade fair.

Workshops, seminars and masterclasses

akustika offers musicians excellent opportunities for professional development. There are 45 workshops and ten masterclasses in various formats.

There will be an accompanying workshop and seminar programme on all three days of the fair. These are 45 practice-orientated courses for beginners and advanced users. Topics include acoustic design and miking. The interactive event formats are open to all participants. Topics include ‘AI for musicians’, ‘Improvisation made easy’ and ‘Introduction to next-generation music notation software’. There are also tips on buying instruments, information on instrument insurance and the presentation of new practice methods.

The ten masterclasses enable intensive learning with renowned lecturers. Topics include instrument making and sound technique. These include the violin masterclass with Dutch violin soloist Yvonne Smeulers, trumpet masterclass with Professor Wolfgang Guggenberger and the masterclass ‘5 ways to more musicality’ with percussionist Stefan Emig. Tickets for the exclusive masterclasses are available in the akustika ticket shop. The intimate setting of the masterclasses allows for personal feedback and direct dialogue.

All akustika Nuremberg programmes can be found here: https://www.akustika-nuernberg.de/programm/