Yamaha to Begin Commemoration of its 125th Year of Operations in October 2012

Hamamatsu, Japan - October 2012 will mark the 125^th year since Yamaha, one of the world's leading musical instruments companies, based in Japan, commenced operations in 1887. Yamaha Corporation and its other group companies will begin a year of commemoration of the parent company's 125^th anniversary on October 1^st, 2012. For the occasion, Yamaha has adopted a new commemorative logo mark and slogan and will begin a year of various events and other activities as expressions of thanks to its many customers around the world over the years. These events will include launches of major new models as well as the planning and presenting of activities to mark its 125^th anniversary.

The logo mark and slogan commemorating Yamaha's 125^th anniversary as well as the planned events and activities that have been decided thus far are outlined below:

The commemorative logo mark was designed by Neville Brody.
"Geometric approach reflects pure design aspect of Yamaha's products. Modular building blocks represent all different facets of Yamaha through the ages. The design also gives a feeling and suggestions of piano keys, lines on a musical score, rhythm and harmony."

Yamaha's products and services always reflect player's "Passion & Performance."
The consistent activities prove Yamaha's own "Passion & Performance" as well.

As an expression of thanks to our valued customers, the commemorative logo mark and slogan will be displayed around the world in our product exhibits, events, advertisements, websites, and elsewhere for a one-year period beginning in October 2012.

On the occasion of its 125^th anniversary, Yamaha Corporation will launch a major new lineup of acoustic grand pianos, the CX Series. This series draws fully on the technology and sound creation know-how that Yamaha acquired through the development of its flagship CFX Concert Grand Piano.

In addition, we have recently launched five models in our AVENTAGE Series of high performance AV receivers. The RX-A3020, RX-A2020, RX-A1020, RX-A820 and RX-A720. mark a return to the roots of true high performance audio while also adopting the latest technologies, enhancing the user interface and ensuring custom installation flexibility.

In other product groups, Yamaha is also planning to launch major new models that apply its accumulated state-of-the-art experience and know-how.

During the coming twelve months Yamaha Music Australia will be announcing 2 exciting competitions (including fantastic Yamaha product prizes) aligned with Yamaha Corporations 125^th anniversary. We will be introducing ‘My Yamaha Story’, an opportunity for our valued customers to tell us how Yamaha has influenced their musical and/or audio experiences. In addition, we will be searching for the oldest Yamaha product in Australia in a Nation-wide ‘Hunt for Heritage’.

In 2013, Yamaha Music Australia will also sponsor the coveted Melbourne Prize for Music, providing opportunities for Victorian musicians across all genres. We are also pleased to be continuing our sponsorship the the Sydney Opera House through 2013.

Our music Education centres will also conduct their Annual School Concerts in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney next August & September 2013. All classes participate in our annual school concerts where audiences see a variety of courses levels, including older soloists, perform. The concerts include our Junior Original Composition activities which allow us to showcase and encourage students’ original compositions and creativity.

In the past twelve months Yamaha Music Australia has celebrated some significant milestones. Not only has Yamaha Music Australia been operating for 25 years, we also celebrated 50 years of Yamaha product being distributed in Australia.

Yamaha Music Australia is a subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation and Yamaha products first appeared in Australia in 1961 imported by a family-run business known as Rose Music. In 1986, Yamaha Corporation purchased Australian distribution rights for Yamaha products from Rose Music, and Yamaha Music Australia was born.

Today, Yamaha Music Australia is a wholesaler of music instruments, music related equipment and home entertainment products, and a provider of music education, through Yamaha Music Education Centres. The company places great importance on developing young musicians, and popularising music worldwide.

In the consumer electronics industry, Yamaha is synonymous with high performance and easily integrated components, providing a solution for every home entertainment system.

Yamaha Music Australia is the Australian distributor for Vox guitar amplification equipment and Paiste cymbals.

Yamaha inspires you to play, create and feel.

The development that led to the eventual establishment of Yamaha was when Torakusu Yamaha fixed a reed organ that had fallen into disrepair at Hamamatsu Elementary School (current address: Naka-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture). Thereafter, Yamaha offered a range of products and services, mainly related to musical instruments. Today, Yamaha has expanded its business activities throughout the world with the corporate objective of “CREATING ‘KANDO’ TOGETHER.”

Yamaha Corporation has specified the year 1887, when Torakusu Yamaha built his first organ, as the date of its commencement of operations, and the name of the company and trademark go back to the surname of the founder. Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd., the predecessor company of today's Yamaha, was established on October 12^th, 1897. The name of Nippon Gakki was changed to today's company name, Yamaha Corporation, on October 1^st, 1987, marking the 100^th anniversary since operations began.

For more information, please visit: http://www.yamaha.com/about_yamaha/corporate/