COPYRIGHT & MUSIC PURCHASES
Each choir member, conductor, accompanist, and musician must have a legally purchased copy of copyrighted music. Making additional digital or printed copies is illegal, even if they are for the musician’s own use. Permission will not be granted for musicians to create their own copies of purchased music, even for personal use, as we cannot control their distribution.
What You Need To Know When Purchasing Music
- To ensure fair compensation for composers and publishers, one physical copy and one digital copy count as two separate purchases.
- We encourage singers, ringers, and directors to purchase watermarked digital copies, which grant usage for the specified quantity purchased. These copies can be ordered online or by calling the Choristers Guild office.
Why Legal Music Purchases Matter
Music publishing operates on thin margins. Publishers cover the costs of editing, engraving, proofreading, artwork, printing, advertising, professional recordings, website promotions, shipping, storage, and inventory taxes. These expenses support the composers, staff, and resources necessary to bring new compositions and arrangements to musicians each year.
Learn More About Copyright & Music Usage
For more information on copyright laws and responsible music usage, we recommend these resources:
• Music Publishers Association (MPA): www.mpa.org – Guides on copyright laws and licensing.
• Church Music Publishers Association (CMPA): www.cmpamusic.org – Information on church music copyright and legal use.
• U.S. Copyright Office: www.copyright.gov – Official government site with legal guidelines on music and intellectual property.
• One License & CCLI: www.onelicense.net | www.ccli.com – Licensing solutions for legal performance and distribution of church music.
Understanding copyright helps protect composers, publishers, and the future of choral, handbell and instrumental music. Thank you for your commitment to legal music use ensuring that composers and publishers are fairly compensated.