Interview with KGU Music
KGUmusic is a brand founded by two passionate musicians from Ukraine, Maksim Gopanchuk and Mikhailo Kuznetsov. The journey began in 2004 when Maksim, a trumpeter in jazz and classical music bands in Kyiv, started selling wind instruments. By bringing musical instruments to Ukraine from abroad, Maksim recognized the potential to complement his range with custom accessories, which led to the establishment of their own production line.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your unique flute crowns and how they enhance a flutist's performance?
Our crowns are designed to allow musicians to highlight their uniqueness and give their instruments a personalized touch. Musicians are special individuals who seek to express their individuality not only through music but also through the appearance of their instruments. We recently started manufacturing flute crowns, but we are actively developing this niche and plan to produce more designs and models. When designing our crowns, we considered the preferences of professional musicians regarding the weight and material of the products. We use only high-quality materials, and our crowns are made from 995 sterling silver—nearly pure silver with added elements for strength and durability. You can also order a crown with a 24-carat gold plating and natural stone inlay. We offer a wide selection of stones, and you can choose an inlay based not only on color but also on the properties of the stone, which are detailed in our article on the website.
What materials do you use for your flute crowns, and how do different materials impact the sound and playability of the flute?
The properties of materials and their combinations significantly impact the sound of instruments. Noble materials such as silver and gold have long been used by musical instrument manufacturers, especially for flutes, due to their rich sound. We decided not to reinvent the wheel but to use the best of what is known in the musical world.
We use silver and gold plating for our silver crowns, and we can also make a crown entirely out of gold upon the client's request.
Your flute crowns feature natural stones. How do you select these stones, and what role do they play in the overall design and function of the crowns?
Inlaying is done exclusively with natural stones, which underscores our commitment to quality. Every musician can find their unique stone. You can choose based on the visual properties of the stone or delve into its history, origin, properties, and even mythology to make your selection.
For example:
- Nuummite: A volcanic stone known for its unique texture and energetic properties.
- Turquoise: A stone associated with Cartier, symbolizing elegance and luxury.
- Ruby: A symbol of wealth and success, thanks to its rich color and rarity.
KGU Music is known for combining practicality with individuality in your products. Can you share some insights into your design process and how you balance these two aspects?
At KGUmusic, we are musicians ourselves and are constantly in touch with other musicians. At the same time, we are manufacturers, and our team includes engineers. We combine two worlds—music and art with engineering and design—into one brand.
Often, we find solutions for our clients spontaneously, spending time with experts from various fields of production and design. We share these solutions with our clients, and if they approve, we implement them into our production.
In addition to flute crowns, you offer a range of accessories such as handmade bags and protective cases. How do these products complement your flute crowns and contribute to a flutist's experience?
We strive to complement our products with new arrivals and offerings for all musicians featured on our website. We aim for our clients to find everything they need in one place. Of course, we are still quite young as a brand, but we are ambitious and continuously growing. Our bags, like our crowns, are designed to help musicians express and emphasize their individuality. That's why we offer as many variations of our products as possible, so even the most discerning musician can find exactly what they need in the desired style.
What future innovations or new products can flutists look forward to from KGU Music, and how do you see the evolution of flute accessories in the coming years?
We plan to expand the production of various accessories, including those for flutes, and possibly start manufacturing flutes themselves in the future. In the near term, we will be actively releasing different flute crowns made of silver and gold, both with and without inlays. Additionally, we are developing flute boosters and other accessories. Of course, we will continue to update our range of flute bags, and study the market and new trends, to stay current with the latest in the flute market.