SOMM - Society Of Music Merchants e.V.
Association
COMMITTEES
The committees of SOMM – Society Of Music Merchants e. V. play a central role in strategic direction and decision-making by bundling expertise, representing the interests of members and actively shaping the further development of the industry.
General meeting
The general meeting is the highest body of the SOMM – Society Of Music Merchants e. V. and meets once a year. This is where key decisions are made and the direction of the association for the coming year is determined.
Presidium
The Executive Board leads the SOMM Society and ensures the implementation of the strategic goals. It consists of elected members and meets regularly to manage the work of the association and make important decisions.
Member of the executive board
Jan Rickert
Managing Director, KAWAI Europa GmbH
Website
Member of the executive board
François Rousies
Geschäftsführer und Inhaber, Cordial GmbH
Website
Member of the executive board
Christian Ruoss
Geschäftsführer und Inhaber, Musikhaus Rudert GmbH
Website
.png)
Member of the executive board
Ralph Voggenreiter
Geschäftsführer, Voggenreiter Verlag GmbH
Website
Specialist committees
The specialist committees are a crucial part of SOMM - Society Of Music Merchants e. V. They deal intensively with industry-specific topics and develop practical solutions. The experts from the affiliated member companies contribute their knowledge and experience to actively represent the interests of the members and drive the further development of the association. Through their work, the specialist committees provide valuable impulses for the positioning and initiatives of the association.
Compliance Committee
The Compliance Committee deals intensively with the legal and regulatory requirements that are relevant for the MI industry. It ensures that the association's members are always informed about current legal requirements and supports them in implementing compliance measures. The committee offers practical solutions and recommendations for action to minimize legal risks and make the industry more transparent and secure overall. With its work, the committee strengthens trust in the MI industry and promotes responsible and compliant business practices.
European Committee of Experts
The European Committee occupies a special position within the SOMM - Society Of Music Merchants e. V., as it deals specifically with the political, economic and legal developments at European level that affect the MI industry. In cooperation with EMIA - the European Music Instrument Alliance - the expert panel monitors and analyses relevant EU projects, legislative initiatives and market trends and informs members about their impact. It is also involved in advocacy at EU level, strengthens networking with European partner organisations and promotes the exchange of best practices. Through this focused work, the Committee ensures that the MI industry has a strong voice in Europe and can actively participate in shaping the European market.
Affiliated Associations of EMIA
CSFI (France) French Musical Instrument Organisation (La Chambre Syndicale de la Facture Instrumentale, CSFI) was founded in 1890 in Paris. It gathers companies and craftsmen who make, distribute and export musical instruments and their accessories. The CSFI also welcomes resellers and instrument makers associations (violin, guitar, piano). Its main objectives are the protection of its members and of the musical instrument making as a whole and the development of the instrumental practice for everybody.
COMÚSICA (Spain) National Association of Manufacturers, Importers and Distributors of Musical Instruments. It has national scope and was created in the year 1978. Gathers groups of companies dedicated to trade musical instruments in all its facets, from manufacturing to retail, as well as trade in sheet music, books and musical methodology. The fundamental functions of COMÚSICA are developed in two areas, on the one hand promoting musical practice in Spain and secondly supporting the development of the management of its members.
DISMAMUSICA (Italy) Dismamusica, the Italian Association of the musical instrument and musical publishing industry, was founded in 1982. It represents the entire sector, gathering producers, importers, distributors, dealers, craftsmen and publishers. The Association aims at strengthening the industry and giving voice to its requirements towards Institutions and political bodies. Moreover Dismamusica is active in cultural, social and educational activities in order to promote and develop musical practice.
Specialist committee for music retailers
The specialist committee for music retailers specifically addresses the needs and challenges of the music retail trade. It promotes the exchange of information and best practices among members and supports the trade with practical solutions. Its tasks include analyzing market trends, advising on legal and economic issues and developing strategies to promote the music retail trade (e.g. CulturePass). In addition, the committee brings the concerns of music retailers to the industry level, advocates fair framework conditions and a stable business environment and helps to develop innovative trading models. The specialist committee thus makes a significant contribution to strengthening and further developing the music retail trade in a changing market landscape.
Experts:
Working groups
Working groups are used for urgent and current issues that require quick and targeted processing. They consist of (external) industry experts who contribute their specialist knowledge to develop solutions or recommendations for action. These working groups work in a focused and efficient manner in order to respond promptly to developments and address short-term needs of the industry.