WEGA Verlag

WEGA Verlag is a wholly owned subsidiary of the renowned Mainz-based music publishing house Schott Music GmbH & Co KG. Specialized in the production of musical works of every genre and format, the printing house is the only company in Germany that still trains music engravers.
 
Since the foundation of B. Schott's Söhne in 1770, music engraving and the reproduction of music have played an outstanding role for the company. The high engraving and printing quality laid the foundations for the extraordinary reputation of the musical products of Schott.
 
After the complete destruction of the printing house in World War II and its reconstruction, the technical production department of Schott became independent in 1952 under the roof of the parent company. Up to twelve highly specialized music engravers practised their craft in the workshop, capturing on lead, with artistic skill and a sense of music, the compositions which were then printed and reproduced. By and by, WEGA took over all production jobs for the Schott publishing house; apart from sheet music and books, WEGA also produces all advertising materials such as brochures, posters, catalogues as well as CDs.

In the early 1980s lead composition was replaced by photomechanical typesetting, and 1989 saw the beginning of the era of electronic music engraving. Instead of type cases and make-up tables, today's work is characterized by high-performance computers and complex software systems. With the help of experienced experts and specialists, the knowledge from 200 years of practical music engraving could be incorporated in the latest computer programs. To date, the profession of music engraver has been one of the most demanding apprenticeable trades, requiring both graphic understanding and musical knowledge. Carrying on their unique tradition, WEGA in Mainz is the only enterprise in Germany that trains 'digital media designers specializing in music engraving'.

Today WEGA clearly specializes in the digitization of any kind of music editions and their reproduction by means of digital printing. This production technique enables the publisher to print on demand. Thus, it is possible to supply customers throughout the world with high-quality products quickly, at a low price and without storage costs.

WEGA Verlag offers its store of knowledge and experience to other enterprises as well. A highly mechanized media service provider for music publishers all over the world, WEGA undertakes complex production jobs for publishers such as Boosey & Hawkes or Edition Peters as well as for international music institutions. Engravers based not only in Mainz but also at many other locations work for WEGA, thus securing far more jobs than those of the thirty permanently employed persons at WEGA.