Sign Your Name

The sounds of summer have been joyful. Across many clubs, the return of rights managed music has brought back smiling faces, singing, whooping (you know who you are ;), laughter, and happy exhaustion. I have heard so much positive feedback from members and instructors alike. It has reminded us all just how much music adds to the atmosphere, energy and pure enjoyment of our classes.

But like everything we love, we shouldn't take it for granted. Rights-managed music has not yet returned to every VA club, largely because of the significant costs involved. The reintroduction of commercial music at selected clubs is, in effect, a trial.

Without commercial music, it quickly became apparent that classes such as spin, aqua, and dance had lost their heartbeat. As the atmosphere changed attendance fell and instructors moved on. Bringing the music back was undoubtedly a commercial decision, and one that will be closely monitored.

This year is the test. If attendance grows, classes stay busy, and instructors return, there is every reason to hope that commercial music will be rolled out to more clubs. But if we don't support these classes by turning up, signing in, and sharing our feedback, there is a real risk that the music could disappear again.

Many members may have fallen out of the habit of booking classes because without appropriate music, they were rarely full. Now is the time to change that. So book the class. Dance. Aqua. Cycle. Sing. Sign your name, because every attendance counts. See you there!