Featured publications
Paul Mealor: Wherever You
Are - Voice/Piano Version
Welcome...to Balaam's Music, Bury St Edmunds on-line.
We've been selling printed music and musical instruments for over 50 years. We carry very large stocks of music, instruments and accessories - more than we're able to show on this site, so if you can't find what you're looking for, please telephone us on 0800 06 800 49 (Free Phone). Anything we don't have in stock (and yes, there's plenty of that too!) we'll be very happy to order for you.
*********
News
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
And Now Some Good News ....
The entire UK music industry is celebrating after the Live Music Bill passed its third reading and report stage in the House of Commons. The Bill, introduced by Lib Dem Peer Tim Clement-Jones and promoted in the Commons by Bath MP Don Foster, should now proceed to Royal Assent.
As a result, small venues wanting to host live music events will no longer need a local authority entertainment licence – cutting bureaucracy and expense, and making it easier for pubs and clubs to host live performances.
The current Licensing Act has created an excess of bureaucracy - making it almost prohibitive for pubs and other small venues to host live gigs. Good to see politicians now doing something constructive, even though a lot of pubs amd small venues have already been closed down for good.
Saturday, 7 January 2012
John Myatt Memorial Concert
Accomplished string players are welcome to come and play - rehearse on the day and concert in the evening.
It should be a memorable event in a wonderful setting - Blythburgh Church is worth a visit itself!
Further details from Janet on janet@windchambermusic.org.uk
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Drummers Wanted for Olympics Opening Ceremony
The organiser is looking for people with good percussion and drumming experience, enthusiasm, personality, a positive attitude, a great deal of energy and a willingness to perform in front of a stadium audience and to millions of people around the world.
Applicants must be 18 years or older on March 1st 2012 and able to meet the commitment requirements for rehearsals. Previous performance experience is not required.
To find out how to apply for an audition and for full detail on the commitments involved go to http://www.london2012.com/ceremoniescasting
The closing date for applications is January 9th 2012
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Written for SSA chorus and Piano. This is the original arrangement as sung by the Military Wives Choir.It’s also available for SATB or TTBB or as a solo/unison songCommissioned by Gareth Malone for Series Four of BBC TV's 'The Choir' and first performed by Malone and the Military Wives' choir as part of The Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on 12th November 2011 in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen.A favourite for the 2011 Christmas Number One, with support from radio DJ Chris Evans who has suggested every choir in the country should sing this song, it's the biggest threat to X-Factor chart domination this year.The text is taken from poems, letters and prayers written by the Military Wives, selected and adapted by Paul Mealor, and a passage from the Book of John.
A lovely tear-jerker in support of a good cause.
Friday, 9 December 2011
Older customers ( and many ex-employees) will be saddened to hear of the death, at the age of 93, of Ron Ely.Ron was working for H.M. Bonniwell and Son when Albert Balaam bought the business in 1956. His professional training was as a piano tuner, at which he had few equals. He also turned his hand to the repair of most instruments that came his way, including the early guitar amplifiers and electronic organs.
Ron was also an extremely accomplished musician, having performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto as soloist in Sheffield, and he led countless orchestras, and bands for shows at the Theatre Royal in his native Bury St Edmunds. He was also a very tidy sax player, having appeared in some of the top professional dance bands of the early fifties.
Ron was much loved by the members of local groups in the sixties and seventies, who often depended on Ron to get their equipment working for gigs at the weekend. To the end he maintained that one particular regular, now an internationally famous film star, had run off with his favourite screwdriver in one such crisis, and this was never forgiven!
Ron was a man of enormous skill, prodigious technical knowledge and musical accomplishement. He had a kind heart and a great sense of humour, and will be mourned by all who knew him.
Ron's funeral is at St John's Church, Bury St Edmunds on Friday 16th December at 12 noon. No flowers, but donations to Musicians' Benevolent Fund, c/o Clutterhams Undertakers.
Saturday, 3 December 2011
The Mystery of Christmas
This mystery isn't the traditional one - far from it. The mystery is that every Christmas our website turns up on the front page of Google for people searching for Thomas Merritt, a Cornish composer who died in 1908. We don't know why this happens, and we certainly didn't do anything to bring it about, but Google obviously moves in a mysterious way. Because of that, we always take care to keep a stock of Merritt's collection of Carols, which we send to customers all over the world.Not much else of Thomas Merritt's music survives, but there's a little information to be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/content/articles/2008/05/20/history_thomasmerritt_feature.shtml and you can buy a book of his Carols from a certain music shop in Bury St Edmunds!
Friday, 2 December 2011
Wrap Up a Piano !
This Christmas we are offering a limited number of Casio Privia PX-730 Digital Pianos at an incredible 32% off the list price ! Down from £729.99 to £499.99 (that's five hundred quid in retail-speak) it's also eligible for the Take-it Away scheme if purchased on behalf of someone under 18.
The PX-730 is a full size, 88 key piano, with scaled hammer action for a great feel, and something called "Linear Morphing AIF" which makes it sound terrific. In fact there's a lot of techno-speak to be had with this particular piano, but like most people, I'm not really interested. It just sounds really good, and plays really well.
It's finished in a stylish and compact matt black which will look great in practically any decor. Santa may have a problem negotiating the chimney with it, but don't worry, we deliver for free within 50 miles!
Friday, 25 November 2011
Why a ukulele maybe the key to a happy retirement
A recent study has confirmed what we all know, that making music is the key to a happy life, particularly among the retired.
The Daily Telegraph reports that researchers found that pensioners who learned to play instruments such as the Ukulele, or who sang in choirs, enjoyed themselves more than those who took up painting or yoga, or joined book groups. They had a more positive outlook, felt more in control of their lives, and said the activity kept their minds sharp. One woman who took up music after the death of her husband, said “Singing is always uplifting, and it is difficult to be sad while playing the Ukulele”
The Telegraph illustrates this article with a picture of Marilyn Monroe playing a Ukulele. For serious students of having a good time, here she is!
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
A Serious Bargain for a Serious Cellist
We've just received into stock an Eastman Young Master Cello. A handsome instrument in very fine tonewoods, looking just like an eighteenth century masterpiece, with a glorious sound to match. Strung with Larsen strings, it retails at £1990.
No, it's not cheap, but for one (only!) lucky buyer, that price will include an LG Chen Wood-veneered carbon-fibre bow, and a superb K2 Carbon-fibre case in the most incredible iridescent finish, making a combined total retail value of £3176 - so a total saving of £1186 !
And if it's bought for an under-18, it can go on the Take-it-Away scheme !
Is that a stampede I hear in the distance..............?
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Free Money for Young Musicians
We've just had the wonderful news that the TAKE IT AWAY scheme - for the interest-free purchase of musical instruments - is to be re-introduced for the parents and guardians of musicians under 18 years old.This is fantastic news for the parents of young players considering investing in a decent instrument. They will be able to buy more or less any instrument over £100 with a 10% deposit, and nine monthly instalments of the same amount. Saxophones, Flutes, Guitars, Drum Kits, Pianos - they're all eligible.
We have most of the details already, and the new scheme is set to go live tomorrow, October 21st (Trafalgar Day, for those who still care about such things)
The whole application process happens in the shop, using our online application facility, and normally takes only a few minutes.
It's a great victory for musical instrument buyers - come and take advantage !
Visit the new Balaam's Blog
Balaam's Music are now on Facebook and Twitter!!
Twitter - Get up to the minute updates
Facebook - Become a fan, join the chat