ViewClose Menu
 
 
Home | Guides | Copyright and Licensing for Choirs and Singing Groups

Download: Copyright and Licensing for Choirs and Singing Groups or read below

 

Copyright and Licensing for Choirs and Singing Groups

This guide explains what copyright is and how you will know if the songs your group is singing are in copyright. If songs are in copyright it affects what your group is allowed to do with them. There are two more guides to read depending on what your group wants to do:

•          Copying Lyrics and Sheet Music and Making Arrangements

•          Performing in Public and Recording

What is copyright?

Copyright is the law that protects the rights of whoever who has written the songs you are singing. The law of copyright means that only the songwriter(s) has the right to:

A song remains in copyright until the songwriter dies and for 70 years after their death. Sometimes this right is passed on to a publisher or is inherited by a family member.

There are two different copyrights covering a song your group is singing.

If you use sheet music in your group, there is another copyright to know about.

Is a song we are singing in copyright?

The simple way to find out is to use an internet search to find out:

If the writer(s) are alive or died less than 70 years ago then the song is in copyright.

You might not realise that a song everyone knows has actually been written by someone and is in copyright. Until 2017 the song Happy Birthday was in copyright.

Who owns the copyright?

The songwriters own the copyright but this is often signed over to a music publisher, or the publisher manages the copyright.

This makes the publisher a good place to start to find out who owns the rights to a piece of music. You can find this out by using an internet search or by checking the published sheet music if you have it.

The Music Publishers Association (https://mpaonline.org.uk/faqs/) can also help you find out who owns the copyright if you contact them with any information you have about the song.

Are we allowed to sing a song in copyright?

You can sing a song in copyright with your group. But there are some things that you might want to do that you need to get permission, pay a fee for get a licence for.

These are:

There are unfortunately no exceptions to copyright law for groups who are not professional musicians or who are charities.

Links

Music Publishers Association: https://mpaonline.org.uk/contact/

To find out who the copyright holders of a piece of music are or put you in contact with a publisher.

We hope you find this Making Music resource useful. If you have any comments or suggestions about the guidance please contact us. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the content of this guidance is accurate and up to date, Making Music do not warrant, nor accept any liability or responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of the content, or for any loss which may arise from reliance on the information contained in it.

Making Music logo

© Making Music, National Federation of Music Societies, 8 Holyrood Street, London SE1 2EL

www.makingmusic.org.uk

 
Other helpful guides | View all guides
 

'S ann an Ìle: introducing a Gaelic port à beul, led by Joy Dunlop

Luminate@Home: 'S ann an Ìle: introducing a Gaelic port à beul - song lyrics, sheet music and piano track.

Christmas Caledonia - Frequently Asked Questions

The event will live-streamed on Zoom, so you can join in from home. We aim to make the occasion as enjoyable as possible for people living with dementia.

Christmas Caledonia - Song words

Download the song words for the songs we will sing at our Christmas Caledonia - Come and Sing online event on Saturday 11th December 2021.

Christmas Caledonia festive messages call out!

Send us a photo of your festive message to feature in our Christmas Caledonia – Come and Sing event on 11th December.

Come and Sing Online - Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the features of the event, to help you decide if it is right for you, your family or friends.

Communicating with people with dementia

Helpful tips and strategies ­for communicating effectively with people with dementia.

Copying Lyrics and Sheet Music and Making Arrangements

This guide explains what you should do if the songs you are singing with your group are in copyright and you want to copy lyrics for song sheets, copy sheet music or make a musical arrangement.

Dementia Inclusive Singing Network Trailer

Take a peek at the difference the Dementia Inclusive Singing Network can make.

How to apply for funding for dementia inclusive singing activities

A recording of an online training session for members of the Dementia Inclusive Singing Network which took place online on 31st May, 2023.

How to sing together online

This film explores how singing groups and choirs from across Scotland have continued to support the inclusion of people living with dementia online and remotely during the coronavirus pandemic.

Kitchen Drumming Band - rhythms sheet, music track and videos to get you inspired

Luminate@Home: Kitchen Drumming Band - rhythms sheet, music track and videos to get you inspired.

Luminate@Home: ‘S ann an Ìle: introducing a Gaelic port à beul, led by Joy Dunlop

In this film, Gaelic singer Joy Dunlop will take you through her own arrangement of the toe-tapping Gaelic song, ‘S ann an Ìle.

Luminate@Home: Kitchen Drumming Band led by Jane Bentley

In this film, percussionist Jane Bentley invites you to grab the wooden spoons and get drumming!

Luminate@Home: Singin Scotland, led by Christine Kydd

In this film, singer Christine Kydd leads you through two traditional songs. The songs are accessible for all ages and abilities. Enjoy!

Luminate@Home: The Bressay Lullaby led by Corrina Hewat

In this film, singer and harpist Corrina Hewat will take you through her own arrangement of traditional Shetland song, The Bressay Lullaby. Enjoy!

Making online singing activities more dementia inclusive

There are many things that can make an online singing activity more accessible for people with dementia.

Making spaces more dementia inclusive

As a group or organisation including people who have dementia in activities there are changes that can be made in premises, often for low or no cost.

Performing in Public and Recording

This guide explains what you should do if the songs you are performing in public are in copyright or you want to record your group singing songs that are in copyright.

Singin Scotland, led by Christine Kydd

Luminate@Home: Singin Scotland - song lyrics and accompaniment tracks.

Speaking about dementia

How to talk and write about dementia in a way which is positive and inclusive of people living with the condition. ­

The Bressay Lullaby - song lyrics, sheet music and harp track

Luminate@Home: The Bressay Lullaby (from Shetland) - song lyrics, sheet music and harp track.

Top 10 Tips: For setting up a dementia inclusive shanty choir

Here you will find a useful resource from the fantastic storyteller and shanty-woman, Jan Bee Brown, who outlines her 10 top tips for setting up a dementia inclusive shanty choir.

What is dementia?

A brief summary of some of the causes and symptoms of dementia.

Why sing together?

This guide will give you some information about how singing together helps our health and well-being, and it includes a short list of publications and websites that you can look at for more information.

This site uses cookies.
Configure
 
Read our privacy policy

This site uses cookies for marketing, personalisation, and analysis purposes. You can opt out of this at any time or view our full privacy policy for more information.