Closed Topics: Music During Show

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Music During Show

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Topic: Music During Show

Posted By: Foofer
Subject: Music During Show
Date Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:10pm

Most shows that I see at community theaters have recorded music playing during pre-show and intermission. Some shows also have music DURING the show (similar to a soundtrack in a movie). Do you have to pay rights to play music during a show, and if so - where do you go to find out who owns the rights to a piece of music?

Thanks, all! This website is a fantastic resource, by the way!

Replies:

Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 11/09/04 at 2:54pm

I would like to bring this topic back and hope for a knowlegeable, helpful response from someone. When a show calls for a radio to be playing in the background, what do you do for the music? How do you get permission to use this type of recorded music? Also, how do you get permission to use recorded music for pre-curtain and intermission?

Posted By: diva41
Date Posted: 11/10/04 at 2:35am

I just recently directed "Blithe
Spirit" which I set in the 60's as opposed to the 40's/ I used everthing from Dean Martin to The Beatles to Elves to Petulia Clark. I just burned and used the music. Quit frankly, I suppose you should get the rights but who does that? I guess it is a gray area when it comes to pre-show, scene break, intermission and post-show music. I believe the only time you have to worry is when the music is part of the play (i.e., a musical) Didn't relly answer your question but this is what I did and what we've alawys done. Same goes for a radio playing music.

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denise

Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 11/10/04 at 11:32am

We have the Australian Performing Rights Association [APRA] & the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society [AMCOS] who administer the ?Small Rights of Copyright which this topic would fall under, which is different to the Grand Rights of published music works such as Operas & Musicals.

We pay an annual fee of $55(AUD) to be able to play music at a performance.

I?m sure you have an organisation that does the same. Apra/AMCOS also covers music being played on the radio & TV in local business such as shops like Hairdressers & beauty Salons. In most plays where specific recorded music is required the rights form part of the performance small rights & this is usually indicated in performance agreement. However it is worth you while to check with the copyrights provider &/or pay the annual fee to cover your theatre groups performance of incidental music.

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Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

Posted By: dougb
Date Posted: 11/10/04 at 11:32am

I do not know what the laws require but I can share some horror stories. If you want to sing a song from a musical, you contact the royalty house and for a reasonable fee, they will grant you rights. For any other music, you contact ASCAP (and/or BMI I assume) and you can get the rights for one song or a group of songs quite easily.

For recorded music I have been told that I have to get the rights from both the publisher (ASCAP/BMI) AND the performer!!! (it is called synchronization.) Several years ago, I tried to get the rights to a couple of C/W songs and after weeks and weeks of searching out who to contact, I got in touch and never heard back from them so I gave up.

Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 11/10/04 at 4:05pm

Yeah, so that is the problem... In addition, if you want to take a show to a festival, you are required to show evidence that you have permission to use the recorded music. Sounds a bit like a catch-22.

Posted By: Nyria
Date Posted: 1/21/05 at 2:26pm

I know our theatre company just pays $ to SOCAN (the Society of Composers, Auhtors and Music Publishers of Canada) every year. I don't know that the American version of this is or what they laws are there.

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NYRIA