akustika 2025: The trade fair for music is the meeting place for musicians and instrument makers

Nuremberg – The range on offer at akustika Nuremberg is divided into the subject areas ‘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. This means that the ‘Trade Fair for Music’ 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, which can be played.

Focus on handcrafted instrument making

The exhibitor portfolio will become more international in 2025. From small craft businesses and medium-sized industrial companies to suppliers of materials and tools, manufacturers of accessories, music publishers and wholesalers will be at akustika. The 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 Nordbayerischer Musikbund 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. Under the direction of the composers, orchestras will present passages of different musical styles and difficulties for other conductors and orchestra directors. Through the North Bavarian Music Association, 15 international composers will be on site to present themselves and their works.

The positive feedback after akustika 2024 has encouraged the organisers to create a centre for European instrument making as part 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.

Training and further education

Professional and amateur musicians as well as teachers can continue their education in the diverse workshop programme. The masterclasses are aimed specifically at music teachers and professional musicians, with a particular focus on wind instruments, keyboard instruments, percussion and flute. 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 taken into account 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. 
akustika's ‘Education Centre’ 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 agenda is the ‘Day of Crafts’ on Friday, 4 April, which is organised in cooperation with the Bavarian Chambers of Crafts and Trades.
www.akustika-nuernberg.de/en   

Highlights in the stage programme

Numerous renowned big bands, ensembles and soloists have been recruited for akustika 2025 for over 85 live performances and ambitious concerts. 
Visitors can see and hear all the instrument groups on display in action on five parallel stages. International artists and regional ensembles will be taking part. A wide range of genres and styles can be experienced, 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 musical ‘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 official opening of the trade fair will include the presentation of the Musical Instrument Award. 

All akustika Nuremberg programmes can be found here soon: www.akustika-nuernberg.de/en/program-1/ 

Workshops, seminars and masterclasses

akustika offers musicians good opportunities for further professional training. With 40 workshops and ten masterclasses, there are various formats.
There will be an accompanying workshop and seminar programme on all three days of the fair. These are 40 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 will also be tips on buying instruments, information on instrument insurance and the presentation of new practice methods.

The ten masterclasses enable intensive learning with renowned instructors. Topics include instrument making and sound technique. These include the violone 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.