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Interview with Chris Statham
by
Misha V. Stefanuk
Just before Christmas I went to London to accompany my wife's audition for the Royal Opera at Covent Garden. One of the opportunities that presented was a meeting at the Mel Bay office in London interviewing the new head of that UK region, Chris Statham. Mel Bay's office is located in one of the most prominent parts of London. It was a pleasant meeting, and we ended up talking for about an hour and a half about music publishing, new trends in piano music, upcoming music industry events and such.
It is always very exciting to hear music professionals' ideas about piano and keyboard music, and Chris's background in the music industry makes his opinion especially important for us as musicians, teachers and writers. Here is Mr. Statham's answering my questions:
What is your background, how did you start working for Mel Bay?
My background has always been Sheet Music, I had previously spent 13 years working for I.M.P. (International Music Publications Ltd) who represented Warner Bros. Publications, and the Warner Chappell and EMI "Pop" catalogues. Bryndon Bay had heard about the work I had done in growing the markets in UK and Europe and decided I was the person to front their new direct operations in the territory of UK and Europe. Hence Mel Bay Music, Limited was born in July last year.
What are the best selling books for piano and keyboard in the UK?
For me the following are "Best Sellers" for Piano & Keyboard in this territory: Mel Bays Deluxe Pocketbook - Piano Chords (Cat No:21213), The Piano Chords - Pocketbook (Cat No:93749), Keyboard Chord Chart (Cat No:93484) and You Can Teach Yourself - Piano Chords (Cat No: 20437)
Who are the people who buy Mel Bay piano and keyboard products in the UK?
I have over 1200 active Trade Accounts that represent the whole spectrum of "Musical Instrument and Sheet Music" retail stores who buy from me, from a tiny one-person music shop in a remote village to the Virgin Megastores in all the big cities. And then they sell on to anyone from a young beginner to an old person who has retired and wants to take up an instrument. The demand for Mel Bay piano and keyboard products has quadrupled since we started selling direct!
What genres of piano and keyboard music are most popular today from your perspective?
From my perspective the "Teaching Yourself Piano/Keyboard" genre is by far the most popular still, followed by the Jazz and Fake Book style titles. One of my biggest sellers is actually a method teaching young people Jazz. Jazz has become so popular now with the pupils and youngsters and they want to try and learn and soak up the improvisations and the influences of Jazz which is a vital component for their musical education.
Mel Bay was a pioneer company in publishing instructional materials, in your view, how are they different from other publishers? Are there any specific characteristics that one might expect from Mel Bay products?
First and foremost, a superior product! Mel Bay Publications prides itself on printing innovative, creative Music Education and instruction products. They differ from other publishers because there is a much more personal feel with producing a Mel Bay publication, from reprinting old back catalogue products and giving them a whole new lease of life with a new cover or a CD or DVD package, to listening to our customers and understanding where they may be gaps in the market. We are constantly evolving and try and release up to 200 NEW products a year!!
A little selfish question: My book "Jazz Piano Chords" has been a Mel Bay best-seller in jazz piano for five years now, why do you think this particular product is so popular?
So many reasons, first and often so important, the front cover, really eye-catching, modern feel and it jumps off the shelf, secondly the retail price, equally competitive whilst not looking too cheap, (this often arouses suspicion as to reasons why this book would be so cheap) and finally and most important, the content, written in a clear and concise manner thinking of the end users who would be using this book from a professional composer at the top of his artistry to the everyday piano student. This helps sell the book to every trade dealer!!
We know that Mel Bay launched their own download division, and most of the new books come with CD's and DVD's. What other exciting technologies are coming to Mel Bay's buyers?
You will have to wait and see and watch this space, year on year "Sheet Music Publishing" becomes more and more exciting and with technology moving so fast Mel Bay are investigating all sorts of new avenues.
What is new in keyboard repertoire that Mel Bay is publishing this year?
Again you will have to attend our three Trade Shows/Events this year to find out… we have the FRANKFURT MUSIKMESSE at the end of March and we will finish at the BMF (British Music Fair) which takes place this year in September in Birmingham NIA. All three trade shows are our biggest opportunity to launch New Titles/Products and Series.
What do you see as future of composing and publishing for keyboard?
There are many young, very talented composers and writers/artists out there who are unpublished, and as long as they continue their work, we shall endeavor to publish their material and ensure the generations to come have a bigger and easier opportunity to learn the Keyboard/Piano whatever their age/race/background.
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