MMB MUSIC HISTORY

MMB Music, founded in 1964 under the name Magnamusic–Baton, Inc., began as a distributor of music published by leading European publishers.

Norm Goldberg, founder and Chairman of the Board of MMB Music, recognized Orff–Schulwerk as a major development in music education. This is the approach for teaching music to children, devised by German composer and educator Carl Orff. Beginning with workshops for music educators in the St. Louis area, MMB Music expanded to become a national company and the sole U.S. musical instrument distributor for Germany’s STUDIO 49 Orff Instruments. These instruments were developed by Klaus Becker–Ehmck, founder of STUDIO 49, with Carl Orff for music education throughout the world.

MMB Music was the first music industry member to recognize the importance of music therapy, assisting the profession by publishing music therapy resources. For almost 30 years MMB Music was the lone industry voice advocating and promoting music therapy as an important health care profession. The American Music Therapy Association has honored Mr. Goldberg and MMB Music by naming its library the Norman Goldberg Library.

Carl Orff and STUDIO 49

Carl Orff is an inseparable part of the history of STUDIO 49. In 1928, he and his friend, Karl Maendler, a celebrated harpsichord maker, built the first xylophones based on the melodic barred instruments of the Indonesian gamelan. These instruments became indispensable for Orff’s teaching and the development of what is known as “Orff–Schulwerk.”

One of Orff’s students, Paul Muller, introduced him to Klaus Becker–Ehmck, a young mechanical engineering student. A close personal friendship developed into what became a lasting partnership. Becker–Ehmck helped Maendler build these xylophones based on Carl Orff’s ideas and wishes.

Radio Bavaria’s series of Orff Schulwerk broadcasts in 1948 created great demand for Orff Instruments, and, with Karl Maendler retired, the 22–year–old Becker–Ehmck founded STUDIO 49 to meet this need.

When Klaus Becker–Ehmck died in 1976, his widow, Marga, who had substantially contributed to the development of the firm, carried on the traditions of the company until her death in 1983. This distinguished family heritage is being carried on today by their son, Bernd Becker–Ehmck.

Skilled craftsmanship, quality materials, and the use of modern production technology mean that STUDIO 49 Orff Instruments continue to be the standard by which all others are judged.

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