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Wise Music Group
Wise Music Group
from Wikipedia

Wise Music Group is a global music publisher, with headquarters in Berners Street, London. In February 2020, Wise Music Group changed its name from The Music Sales Group.[1][2]

Key Information

In 2014, Wise Music Group (as The Music Sales Group) acquired French classical music publisher Éditions Alphonse Leduc.[3] Éditions Alphonse Leduc publishes classical music by French composers including Jacques Ibert, Henri Dutilleux, Olivier Messiaen, Francis Poulenc, and Joseph Canteloube. It also publishes operatic works by Italian composers Gioachino Rossini and Vincenzo Bellini, and works by Muzio Clémenti, Johannes Brahms, and Pyotr Tchaikovsky.[citation needed]

In March 2017, The Music Sales Group acquired disco publisher Bleu Blanc Rouge from Belgian record producer and songwriter Jean Kluger.[4] In April 2018, Music Sales sold its physical and online print divisions, including Musicroom, to Milwaukee-based publisher Hal Leonard for $50 million. Hal Leonard will continue to distribute Wise Music's publishing catalogue worldwide.[5]

In April 2023, Wise Music Group acquired a controlling interest in Edition Peters Group, a publishing house founded in Leipzig in 1800.[6] Shortly after, Faber Music announced an agreement between Wise Music Group and them for the printed music business, making Faber Music the worldwide representative of the entire sales catalogue of Edition Peters.[7]

Wise Music's catalogue of music includes classic hit singles such as "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell, "My Sharona" by The Knack, and "The Twist" by Chubby Checker, among others.[8]

Novello & Co

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Advertisement for Novello, Ewer & Co. circulating music library, London (1890)

Novello & Co is a London-based printed music publishing company specializing in classical music, particularly choral repertoire. It was founded in 1811 by Vincent Novello.[9] August Jaeger of the firm was a friend of Edward Elgar. It joined the Wise Music Group in 1993.[citation needed]

Chester Music

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Chester Music is a British publisher of printed music specializing in classical composition and educational music of the 20th and 21st centuries.[10]

J & W Chester Ltd was founded in the 1860s in Brighton, Sussex by Joseph and William Chester. It became important for promoting modernist composers. For example, it was the publisher of works by Manuel de Falla.[11]

MusicFirst

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MusicFirst is the Digital Education Division of Wise Music Group, specializing in educational music software. In 2025 Wise Music Group sold its digital education division to Achieve Partners.[12][13]

Schirmer Theatrical

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Schirmer Theatrical is Wise Music Group's concert and theatrical production company, specializing in film with live orchestra and high-end non-classical symphonic concerts.[citation needed]

Selected imprints

[edit]
  • Acorn (pennywhistles)
  • Amsco Publications
  • Ariel Publications (classical guitar only)
  • E. J. Arnold & Son, Limited (recorder books)
  • Ashley Publications Inc.
  • Schuberth & Co., Inc.
  • Larrabee Publications
  • Lewis Music Publishing Co.
  • Heritage Publications, Inc.
  • Kammen Music Co.
  • Associated Music Publishers
  • J. Curwen & Sons Limited London
  • Boston Music Company, founded in 1885 by Gustav Schirmer, Jr. (1864–1907)
  • Schirmer Trade Books

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Wise Music Group is a British multinational independent music publishing company headquartered in London, specializing in classical and contemporary music, as well as popular song catalogues from the 1920s to the present day. As a family-owned business, it comprises an international network of over 60 wholly-owned publishing houses and more than 30 imprints, including historic labels such as Novello & Co., G. Schirmer, Chester Music, Edition Wilhelm Hansen, and Bosworth, making it one of the world's largest independent holders of classical music copyrights. The group also operates a creative division that provides licensing, synchronization, and commissioning services for use in advertising, film, television, and other media. The company's roots trace back to the Wise family's music enterprises in , with formal establishment in the early as Music Sales, initially focused on distribution and print under founder . Over the decades, it expanded through acquisitions of prestigious publishing houses, building expansive catalogues that include works by composers such as , , and modern artists like and . In February 2020, the company rebranded from Music Sales Group to Wise Music Group to better reflect its evolution into a full-service , following the sale of its division. Wise Music Group maintains a global presence with approximately 150 employees across 12 offices in cities including New York, , , , , , , and , supporting songwriters, composers, and clients through administration, promotion, and international rights management. The company has continued to grow its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, such as the 2022 purchase of the catalog, the 2023 acquisition of Edition Peters Group, and the January 2025 acquisition of Doblinger Musikverlag, while divesting its digital education division in January 2025 to sharpen focus on core publishing activities.

History

Founding and Early Years

The origins of Wise Music Group trace back to the Wise family's music enterprises in , with formal establishment in the early 1970s when Robert (Bob) Wise founded The Music Sales Group in as a specialist in sheet music distribution and print . Initially operating as a family-run business, it focused on supplying printed music to retailers and musicians, laying the groundwork for broader involvement in the music industry. In its formative years, the company expanded into music by acquiring established houses, notably Novello & Co., a historic firm founded in that joined the group in 1993. This move bolstered its catalog of printed music, incorporating significant choral and classical repertoire while maintaining a commitment to quality production. During the 1980s and 1990s, Music Sales Group evolved into a comprehensive music sales and distribution operation, opening international offices in the United States, , , , , , , and to support global reach. The company ventured into popular music licensing, diversifying its portfolio to include genres like , , , and alongside its classical foundations. Under continued family ownership, with Robert Wise's sons Tomas and Marcus taking on leadership roles, the business transitioned from a primary emphasis on retail to the of and acquisition. This shift positioned the group as a key player in rights administration by the early 2000s.

Key Acquisitions and Divestitures

In 2014, Music Sales Group (now Wise Music Group) acquired the renowned publisher Éditions Alphonse Leduc, founded in , significantly expanding its portfolio with prestigious French repertoire. This acquisition integrated a catalog rich in 20th-century works, including Olivier Messiaen's Le Merle Noir for flute and piano and Jacques Ibert's Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, alongside teaching materials and operas by composers such as and . Operationally, it enhanced Wise Music Group's international distribution network, with facilities in , the , and the , bolstering its position in classical music publishing. In March 2017, Wise Music Group purchased Bleu Blanc Rouge (BBR), a French publishing company established in 1967 by Jean Kluger, adding a collection of disco-era hits and strengthening its and rights. The deal incorporated rights to popular tracks from the and , enabling broader licensing opportunities in media and . This move diversified Wise Music Group's holdings, supporting revenue growth through sync placements while maintaining focus on high-impact catalogs. A pivotal divestiture occurred in April 2018 when Wise Music Group sold its physical and online print divisions, including the Musicroom retail platform, to LLC for approximately $50 million. This transaction, involving around 200 employees, allowed Wise Music Group to streamline operations and redirect resources toward digital publishing and core management. The sale marked a strategic shift, eliminating non-core retail activities and providing capital for future investments in music rights. In February 2022, Wise Music Group subsidiary G. Schirmer acquired the publishing rights to the catalog of film composer , encompassing his concert works and numerous film scores, further strengthening its holdings in 20th-century classical and cinematic music. In April 2023, Wise Music Group acquired a in Edition Peters Group from the Hinrichsen Foundation, partnering with Christian Hinrichsen to oversee the historic publisher founded in 1800 in . This integration brought in a catalog exceeding 12,000 titles, featuring 19th-century German masterpieces such as Johannes Brahms's Ein Deutsches Requiem and works by Beethoven and Schumann, alongside 20th-century compositions by Mahler and . The acquisition reinforced Wise Music Group's dominance in classical publishing, enhancing its global editorial and distribution capabilities. Most recently, in January 2025, Wise Music Group divested its Digital Education division, including platforms like MusicFirst, Charanga, and Rising Software, to private equity firm Achieve Partners. This sale streamlined the company's structure by offloading education-focused assets, allowing greater emphasis on core music publishing activities and rights management. The transaction supported operational efficiency amid evolving digital trends in music education.

Renaming and Recent Developments

In February 2020, The Music Sales Group rebranded as Wise Music Group, effective from February 3, honoring the legacy of its founder and emphasizing a forward-looking approach to music publishing in the digital era. Coinciding with the rebranding, Wise Music Group announced key signings to broaden its contemporary roster, including Icelandic composer and musician and of , signaling an expansion into modern and alternative genres. In the 2020s, the group has placed increased emphasis on digital licensing and synchronization opportunities, adapting to evolving media landscapes that include streaming services and online . This strategic shift supports the exploitation of its extensive catalog across , , , and digital platforms, with Wise Music Group maintaining over 60 international houses and more than 30 distinguished imprints as of 2025. The company continued its growth through artist signings in 2025, including British band in July, composer in November, and members of for adaptations of their works.

Corporate Structure

Leadership and Headquarters

Wise Music Group is led by Chairman and Managing Director Robert Wise, who oversees the company's strategic direction with a family-influenced approach that prioritizes long-term growth in music publishing. Key executives include Marcus Wise, appointed CEO for European territories in July 2025, Tomas Wise, CEO of Wise Music USA, and Chris Butler, serving as Director of Global Rights Development, where he manages catalog administration and rights development across the group's portfolio. The company's headquarters are located at 14-15 Berners Street in , , functioning as the central hub for global rights management, administration, and decision-making. As a under family ownership by the Wise family, Wise Music Group benefits from a structure that emphasizes stability and independence from public market fluctuations, allowing focus on sustained in its operations.

Global Operations and Presence

Wise Music Group maintains a global network of 14 offices across 11 countries, employing approximately 120 staff as of 2025 to support international licensing, administration, and rights management for its music publishing portfolio. These offices facilitate localized operations in key music markets, enabling efficient handling of global catalog distribution and synchronization deals. The company's decentralized structure allows for region-specific adaptations while leveraging centralized administrative oversight from its London headquarters. In , Wise Music Group operates three offices in the United States—New York, , and Chester, New York—focusing on U.S. market and licensing for , , and advertising. The New York office serves as the primary hub for North American activities, managing approvals for worldwide uses excluding certain territories and supporting revenue collection from digital platforms. In , the presence includes seven offices, with established following the 2014 acquisition of Éditions Alphonse Leduc, a historic French publisher that bolsters rights administration in the region. Berlin's office, enhanced through the 2023 acquisition of a in Edition Peters Group, handles German and broader European , including grand rights for staged works like operas and ballets. For Asia-Pacific markets, offices in , , and provide tailored approaches to rights , addressing local regulatory and cultural nuances in licensing for commercials, streaming, and live performances. The office, for instance, dedicates resources to Asia-specific via a regional manager, ensuring prompt approvals and for cross-border uses. Additional European outposts in , , , and , along with in the UK, support comprehensive coverage for and . The group's digital infrastructure, including online licensing portals and integrated administration systems, enables seamless cross-border access to its catalog of over 1 million works, facilitating real-time rights clearances and equitable revenue distribution among global stakeholders. This setup prioritizes efficient for international media, with territorial deals often covering /, world excluding , or full worldwide rights, ensuring composers and publishers receive optimized shares from diverse markets.

Publishing Portfolio

Classical Music Publishers

Wise Music Group's classical music publishing portfolio centers on several historic imprints that specialize in choral, vocal, contemporary, and educational repertoires, each contributing distinct strengths to the group's offerings. Novello & Co, founded in 1811 by Vincent Novello in London, emerged as a premier UK classical publisher with a focus on choral and vocal works. Initially dedicated to low-cost editions of church music that introduced composers like Haydn and Mozart to English audiences, it expanded under Vincent's son Joseph Alfred Novello to become a leader in mass-market choral publications, including works by Elgar, Holst, Bliss, and Howells. By the mid-20th century, Novello had incorporated educational music and modern British voices such as R.R. Bennett and Malcolm Arnold, solidifying its role as a champion of choral traditions and new compositions. G. Schirmer, founded in 1861 in New York by Gustav Schirmer, is one of the oldest and most prestigious American music publishers, renowned for its extensive catalog of classical repertoire from the 18th to 21st centuries. Initially focused on importing and publishing European classics, it became a champion of American composers, including works by , , and , while also embracing contemporary figures. The imprint maintains a strong emphasis on vocal, orchestral, and operatic music, alongside educational materials, and operates the Schirmer Rental Library for performance materials. Chester Music, established in the 1860s in , , by brothers Joseph and William Chester, initially distributed imported European classical editions before evolving into a key publisher of 20th-century British and international modernist music. Under early 20th-century ownership by Kling, it relocated to and began commissioning works from figures like Stravinsky, Poulenc, and Falla, later emphasizing contemporary composers for concert halls, film, and television. Its catalogue highlights modernists such as Maxwell Davies, Lutosławski, Tavener, , Saariaho, and Salonen, alongside educational materials that support innovative classical performance and study. Éditions Alphonse Leduc, a French imprint founded in in by composer Alphonse Leduc, specializes in , wind instrument repertoires, and educational resources. Starting with songs and piano pieces, it gained renown for globally recognized teaching methods for , , , and , while publishing works by French masters including Ibert, Fauré, Poulenc, Messiaen, and Dutilleux. Managed across five generations of the Leduc family, it expanded through acquisitions like Heugel in 1980, incorporating operatic catalogues from and Gounod, before joining Wise Music Group in 2014. Edition Wilhelm Hansen, established in 1857 in by Jens Wilhelm Hansen, is Scandinavia's largest , with a focus on Nordic classical composers and a broad catalog spanning orchestral, choral, and . Originally an engraving business, it grew to represent key figures like , , and Niels W. Gade, while supporting contemporary Scandinavian artists such as and Poul Ruders. The imprint also includes Edition Wilhelm Hansen Education for pedagogical materials and maintains a rental library for performances. Edition Peters, originating in 1800 in , represents one of the world's oldest music publishing houses, with a specialization in 19th-century staples and extending to contemporary classical editions across its catalogue of over 12,000 titles. It has long been associated with core Romantic and repertoires, including editions of Brahms, Schumann, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Bach, while embracing 20th-century innovators like Mahler, , Cage, and Feldman, as well as living composers such as Ferneyhough and Saunders. Family-managed since 1863, Edition Peters was acquired by Wise Music Group in 2023 from the Hinrichsen Foundation, maintaining offices in , New York, and to preserve its scholarly legacy. Doblinger Musikverlag, an Austrian publisher founded in 1884 in by Anton Stingl and later acquired by the Doblinger family, specializes in Austro-German repertoire, including works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, alongside contemporary compositions. Known for its scholarly editions and rental materials, it expanded to include educational publications and modern Austrian composers. Wise Music Group acquired Doblinger Musikverlag in January 2025, adding its extensive catalog of over 10,000 works to the group's classical holdings. Wise Music Group's popular and theatrical imprints manage a diverse array of publishing activities, including for media, educational materials, and productions, complementing the group's broader portfolio of over thirty imprints. Schirmer Theatrical, a U.S.-based division within the historic G. Schirmer framework, specializes in creating and licensing immersive theatrical experiences, symphonic cinema concerts featuring films screened with live , and innovative Broadway concepts. Established as part of Wise Music Group's expansion into performance rights, it produces fully licensed content that bridges , , and , such as high-end immersive shows and collaborations with ensembles for live orchestral accompaniments to cinematic works. Amsco Publications serves as a cornerstone for education, providing , songbooks, and instructional resources tailored to guitarists, beginners, and amateur performers across genres like pop, folk, and rock. It offers accessible arrangements and method books that support learning for various instruments, including woodwinds, strings, , vocals, percussion, and ensembles, making it a go-to source for hobbyists and educators seeking practical, genre-spanning materials. The Boston Music Company, founded in 1885 by Gustav Schirmer, Jr., focuses on educational prints, folk, and pop arrangements designed for musicians, schools, and community groups. With a legacy rooted in American publishing, it emphasizes simplified scores and instructional content to foster accessible music-making, including solo and ensemble pieces that blend traditional folk elements with contemporary popular styles. Acorn Music, operating under Wise Music Group's educational umbrella, specializes in instructional publications and arrangements for popular and , targeting beginners and intermediate players with practical resources like method books for , guitar, and other instruments. Its catalog includes self-study guides and song collections that promote hands-on learning in , , and everyday pop repertoire, supporting community and solo practice. Bleu Blanc Rouge, acquired by Wise Music Group in 2017 from Belgian producer Jean Kluger, handles libraries with a strong emphasis on French and international catalogs for , television, and synchronization. This imprint manages a collection of popular French works, including disco-era and versatile tracks suitable for media licensing, enhancing the group's sync offerings with culturally diverse, high-impact audio assets.

Notable Repertoire

Iconic Classical Works

Wise Music Group's classical portfolio features several landmark compositions that have shaped the orchestral, choral, and operatic traditions of the 19th and 20th centuries. These works, managed through its historic imprints, underscore the group's role in preserving and disseminating enduring masterpieces with meticulous editions and performance resources. Novello & Co Ltd, a cornerstone of the group's classical holdings since 1993, holds the rights to Edward Elgar's (Op. 36, 1899), a set of 14 variations for that captures portraits of the composer's friends and remains a staple of the British symphonic repertoire. Novello provides full orchestral scores and parts, facilitating its frequent performances by major ensembles worldwide. Similarly, Novello publishes Gustav Holst's (Op. 32, 1914–1916), a seven-movement suite for large exploring astrological themes, with comprehensive editions including full scores, vocal/choral arrangements for select movements like "," and detailed performance materials that support its status as one of the most programmed 20th-century orchestral works. The Chester Music catalog, integral to Wise Music since its founding in the 1860s, encompasses Benjamin Britten's early works, such as the (Op. 4, 1934), a four-movement suite for composed when Britten was 20, noted for its youthful energy and neoclassical style; Chester manages associated rights and supplementary materials for performances. Chester also oversees ' operas, such as (1979) and Taverner (1972), which blend historical drama with avant-garde techniques, providing librettos, full scores, and detailed performance rights that enable stagings by opera companies globally. In November 2025, Chester Music signed an exclusive publishing deal with composer for his classical works. Éditions Alphonse Leduc, acquired by the group in 2014 and one of France's oldest publishers since 1841, specializes in Olivier Messiaen's Quatuor pour la fin du temps (1941), a chamber for , , , and composed during Messiaen's in a German , embodying the 's mystical and rhythmic language, with Leduc offering authoritative scores essential for its poignant realizations. Leduc further excels in Jacques Ibert's wind concertos, including the Concertino da camera for (1935) and Flute Concerto (1934), lyrical yet virtuosic pieces that highlight French , supported by precise editions tailored for soloists and chamber/wind ensembles. In May 2025, Wise Music Group signed Australian Holly to a global exclusive publishing deal. Edition Peters, in which Wise Music acquired a in 2023, is renowned for its scholarly editions of Romantic masterpieces, including ' Ein deutsches Requiem (Op. 45, 1868), a choral-orchestral work setting German biblical texts for , , chorus, and , with Peters' versions noted for their textual fidelity and critical annotations that aid conductors and performers in authentic interpretations. Peters also publishes Robert Schumann's sonatas, such as the Piano Sonata No. 1 in (Op. 11, 1835–1836) and Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor (Op. 14, 1836, revised 1853), celebrated for their emotional depth and structural innovation, with editions emphasizing urtext accuracy and historical performance practices. The Wise Music Group's popular music catalog encompasses a diverse array of commercial hits and contemporary works, emphasizing global licensing and exploitation across media platforms. Iconic tracks such as "Tainted Love" by , a 1981 synth-pop reworking of Gloria Jones's 1964 original, have become enduring staples, achieving over one billion streams on and generating substantial revenue through worldwide licensing deals for recordings, performances, and synchronizations. Similarly, "My Sharona" by , the 1979 power-pop single that topped the for six weeks, is administered globally by Wise Music, supporting its ongoing use in films, advertisements, and digital platforms. "The Twist" by , originally written by and popularized in 1960, holds the distinction as Billboard's all-time number-one song on the Hot 100 chart, with Wise Music handling its extensive licensing history that spans decades of revivals, covers, and media placements. Complementing these classics, the catalog includes sync and production libraries from imprints such as Bleu Blanc Rouge, a disco-focused publisher acquired in , which supplies tracks for , television, and synchronizations. These libraries facilitate placements in commercial media, leveraging evergreen dance and pop repertoire to enhance visual and brand campaigns, while Wise Music's dedicated sync licensing services ensure efficient global clearances. Post-2020 signings have broadened the catalog's contemporary scope, including exclusive worldwide publishing deals with Icelandic composer for his ambient and neoclassical works, starting with his 2020 agreement covering albums like some kind of peace and subsequent renewals. Additionally, Evan Dando of signed in 2020, bringing the band's catalog—including hits like "Into Your Arms"—under Wise Music USA for administration and exploitation. In 2025, Wise Music signed deals with members of for adaptations and new versions of the band's songs, as well as an exclusive worldwide songwriter agreement with duo . Educational applications are supported through Amsco Publications, an imprint offering simplified arrangements of popular hits for instrumental learning, such as easy editions of chart-topping songs to aid beginners in music . These resources promote , integrating commercial into pedagogical tools for schools and self-study.

References

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