Industry News

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A study by researchers at the University of Surrey and the University of Leicester has shown that restaurant patrons spend more when classical music is played. The researchers speculated that classical music makes patrons feel more sophisticated and therefore more willing to indulge in fancy coffees, expensive wines, and extravagant desserts.

Researchers reporting in the Journal of Advanced Nursing have stated that listening to music can significantly reduce pain and depression. The study followed 60 participants in chiropractic clinics in Ohio, 40 of whom listened to music for an hour a day for a week. Half of those listening to music were allowed to select music of their choice, and half were provided with music used in a previous study by Case Western Reserve University Professor Marion Good. 

Prior to making a ruling, the FCC has been holding town hall meetings regarding media consolidation, eight so far, although none of the Republican appointees to the FCC have attended. Speakers such as Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President David Newby have noted that more consolidation leads to less diversity and more difficulty in communicating alternative viewpoints through corporate-controlled media. Former Vice President Al Gore has also said that media consolidation is a threat to democracy.

Recording

Universal Music Group has reached an agreement to buy BMG Music Publishing for $2.05 billion. Universal has also announced that it will license its catalog to SpiralFrog. SpiralFrog offers free legal music downloads and is supported by advertising that is played during downloads.

MySpace has has announced a partnership with SNOCAP, where SNOCAP will provide retail tools to allow artists and labels to sell music from their MySpace profile pages.

Microsoft's new Zune digital media player will come preloaded with music videos provided by EMI. EMI has also opened an Internet seach engine which allows users to search for copyright information. The site is an attempt to address illegal music downloads in China.

Following the lead of ABC, CBS will begin streaming episodes of some of its prime-time lineup for free on the Internet. 

Nokia will be buying digital music distributor Loudeye for $60 million. With more than 15 million music-enabled phones, Nokia is the largest manufacturer of digital music players. The aquisition
will allow them to sell digital music, in addition to devices.

Warner Music will soon be releasing DVD-based music albums. The albums will contain audio and video extras, ringtones, and other features. 

SAG and AFTRA directors have approved a two-year extension of their commercials contract with the advertising industry. Actors would receive a wage increase of six percent and an increase in pension benefits. They would also give advertisers more flexibility to edit spots for the Internet ans allow them to experiment with shorter use cycles for Internet and new media. The agreement is subject to ratification by SAG and AFTRA members.

Symphonic

The Miami Symphony has promoted Eduardo Marturet to Music Director. Marturet, whose contract runs through 2012, was previously Associate Principal Conductor.

Former Florida Philharmonic hornist Tom Hadley has been appointed Director of Admissions for the New World Symphony.

Jeffri Bantz, director of music at First Presbyterian Church of Pompano Beach, has died. He was 52. Bantz had served as assistant director of the Florida Philharmonic Chorus, Master Chorale of South Florida, and for many years was music director of Florida's Singing Sons Boychoir. 

The Metropolitan Opera has announced that it will begin broadcasting performances in movie theaters. The broadcasts, co-produced by PBS, will be in hi-definition and surround sound in 100 to 200 theaters nationwide, with ticket prices of about $18. The broadcast is made possible in part by the new AFM Symphonic Media agreement, which reduces up-front fees to musicians for recordings of live performances in exchange for future revenue sharing. While the Met hopes to make money from the broadcasts, they also expect to benefit by reaching a larger audience and by building a bridge to members of the public who might not attend opera in traditional venues.

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