Music for singers, choirs, instrumentalists
Do not copy any music which is in copyright without
permission. If it is in print and available commercially, buy
the copies you need. If the music is out of print but still in
copyright, ask the publisher about their reprint services.
Think carefully before copying any old scores of choral
music: editions might still be in copyright.
Choral and instrumental parts in copyright should not be
copied in any way. You might be given permission to copy
choral and instrumental parts under licence, for a special,
one-time event. Fees are payable. Contact Calamus and CCLi
for works which they administer. For other works, contact
the copyright holder. Copies will have to be destroyed after
the event.
There is a useful concession granted by the Music Publishers’
Association (MPA), for works published by its members
(British publishers):
If you are short of scores or parts just before a performance, you
may make the necessary photocopies, provided that you also:
buy the corresponding copies as soon as possible after the event;
destroy the photocopies straight after the event.
You can see a list of publishing houses agreeing to this at
www.mpaonline.org.uk
To ease a page turn, the MPA allows photocopying of a
small part of a work. Not all publishers belong to the MPA
and it does not represent foreign publishers. For permission
to make a partial copy of a work not covered by the MPA,
contact Calamus or CCLi for music administered by them.
Fees will usually be waived.
Provided that a visually-impaired musician has a legal copy
of music for their own use, you may enlarge that copy on a
photocopier for them.
Copyright-free choral music!
Choral Public Domain Library
Masses, motets and anthems by composers out of copyright:
www.cpdl.org
Always acknowledge the copyright of the editors who have
worked to make the music available.
Making arrangements
The right to adapt or arrange a copyright work belongs
solely to the copyright owner. Adding guitar chords to a piece
could infringe copyright. How do you know if the composer
would like the piece accompanied with guitars? Even a
spontaneous organ improvisation on a melody in copyright
is an unauthorised arrangement of a composer’s work. It is
not permitted to make a recording of such an improvisation.
Always get permission to make choral or instrumental
arrangements. Be aware that the copyright in any such
arrangement will belong to the owner of the original work.
On your arrangement, acknowledge this copyright and print
any conditions asked for.
Visual presentations – TV monitor, OHP, data projection
You need written permission to make single copies of material
in copyright for display. These copies might be:
- hand written;
• typed;
• photocopied;
• computer generated.
Playing recorded music
In general, you need permission to play recorded music in
public. As part of an act of worship, playing a commercial
sound recording is permitted. For example, playing a track
from a CD at a funeral. The act of worship need not take
place in a church.
As part of a public entertainment, in a church or in other
premises, you need written permission. This is explained
later in this guide.
Educational use of music – notes for schools
Schools will usually possess a CLA licence through their
Local Authority.
The terms and conditions permit limited copying from books,
periodicals, journals and magazines.
A CLA licence does not authorise the copying of any published
instrumental music, songs and lyrics – sacred or secular.
Educational use of music in copyright is agreed through the
common consent of publishers and educational bodies to The
Code of Fair Practice. This gives guidelines on the copying of
music:
- for research and study;
- for use in the classroom;
- for use in examinations;
- for use in libraries.
It sets out terms, conditions and limits for the graphic
reproduction of music in copyright, in accord with the law of
the United Kingdom. It emphasises the need for appropriate
licences to copy music. It may be accessed at:
www.mpaonline.org.uk/Publications/The_Code_of_Fair_
Practice_in_Full.html
For Mass and other forms of collective worship, schools
need to get permission to copy texts and music in the
same way as parishes.