Date sent: Wed, 12 Jan 2000 11:52:34 EST
Subject: Re: Copying music for auditions
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

In a message dated 1/11/00 3:21:04 PM Pacific Standard Time,
jessicadw-at-earthlink.net writes:

<< I
have always done this, and never thought a thing of it, but recently another
singer expressed disdain that I was copying copyrighted music - even for
personal use. It had never occurred to me this might be ANY kind of a
problem. Is she overly sensitive or have I had my head stuck in the sand
all these years?

What do you think?

Thanks,
Jessica >>


Jessica,

This is one of those practical vs. ethical kind of problems. One of the
reasons for the high cost of music today is the ease with which people can
copy. Practically speaking, I know of very few performers who don't on
occasion copy music. But ethically, those who do are "stealing" from the
publishers & composers of same. Public Domain material is a different
question I think. My understanding is that it is OK to copy something if you
have it on order (this may be a totally false premise...any lawyers out there
who can make the copyright rules clear to all of us)? Personally, I never
perform from a Xerox & I always give an original to any accompanist for any
type of performance situation. Contests often have rules which will
disqualify you if you are using copied music (though most judges/adjudicators
look the other way). Almost all musical organizations (Nats most notably)
forbid the use of copies. This is tough. I've adjudicated many contests
(solo & ensemble for high schools especially) where the teachers have given
the students copies of music from which to perform....in spite of the "rules"
which tell them not to do so. I greatly admire another list member who has
stated she always obtains permission, using only published scores, and pays
the ascap fees to cover any performances she does. I can't claim to be that
conscientious, but I do try to do the right thing. Let's face it...in our
busy hectic lives, it is not always easy to avoid the temptation to just "run
off a copy for the pianist"....especially when we already have the score.
Once one gets to a professional level, most coach/accompanists have complete
musical libraries and will have most of the pieces one works on. Libraries
are great sources for extra "copies" ( you can call ahead & have it pulled
for you at most of them...then just pick it up at the front desk). I
strongly encourage my students to buy music & build their own musical
libraries...or to use the public library, but I don't "ban" copies from my
studio. I explain the situation & let them make their own ethical decisions.
It's a tough one! So, ideally, we all buy however many published copies of
music we need for ourselves & our accompanists. Practically, it is wise to
have originals for accompanists whenever in contest or audition situations,
since you have no idea if it will be an issue with an adjudicator or not.
Good luck dealing with the conflicting feelings on this issue. Those who see
these questions as dealing in Black & white issues will be adamant. Those of
us who see shades of gray have a bit more trouble.
(Do I disqualify a young student who is using a copy because his high school
teacher told him to do so...he has worked hard, followed the rules as
explained to him...Do I disqualify the school the teacher teaches ...
eliminating all the kids because the teacher didn't follow the rules?...or do
I use the opportunity to educate and ask questions & explain some of the
ethics of the situation? Not always an easy call...& no matter what you
decide, you will be criticized!) Anyway....Good luck! Barbara