Song licensing

I love it that my songs are sung and shared and weave their way across the world and into singers’ repertoire.  And it’s a wonderful thing when I hear back from people whose lives have been touched by singing or listening to a song that I’ve written. However, it can be a challenge to make a living as a songwriter, so I use a licence system with three different levels, based on the size of the group.

Please review the licence options to make sure you choose a licence to suit your requirements, then select to purchase.

  • Small (£15): You are licenced to teach, sing, perform, record with a group of up to 30 people.
  • Standard (£25): You are licenced to teach, sing, perform, record with a group of up to 60 people.
  • Unlimited (£30): You are licenced to teach, sing, perform, record with a group or groups of any number.

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Licenses: an online honesty box

I love it that my songs are sung and shared and weave their way across the world and into singers’ repertoire.  And it’s a wonderful thing when I hear back from people whose lives have been touched by singing or listening to a song that I’ve written. However, it can be a challenge to make a living as a songwriter, so I use a licence system with three different levels, based on the size of the group.

My intention in setting up this system isn’t to make people feel guilty for not having a licence or to stop people from singing my songs.  I’d always rather that my songs were sung than not sung. I’m trying to put choirs who learn aurally and mainstream choirs on an equal footing. In mainstream choirs – and by that I mean choirs who sing from scores rather than learning by ear – each score or photocopy permit has to be paid for. This money goes back to the composer as a royalty.  So, if you’re an individual who’s earning money from teaching my songs or arrangements to choirs or in workshops, please see your way to buy a licence.

I think of the licence system as an online honesty box. I don’t keep tabs on who is buying a licence for which song and I trust that if you or your group has money and you can afford to buy one you will, either currently or retrospectively.

Exemptions to buying a licence

  • Nearly all the Rounds and Short Songs are licence free – just pay a one-off £5. 
  • Songs for singing with a small group of friends where no money is changing hands are licence free
  • If you support my work by hosting me for a workshop, I do not expect you to buy a licence for the songs we learn in that workshop.

I would expect that in some cases it’s the choir that buy the licence and in other cases it’s a song leader (who perhaps has several small groups none of which could afford a licence on their own) or perhaps wants that song as part of their repertoire to teach at all kinds of singing events and workshops.

Just to be clear:

  • A choir or choir leader only need one licence for each song no matter how many times it’s sung, recorded or performed
  • You’re welcome to buy a retrospective licence
  • If you buy an unlimited licence as an individual, you can then go on to teach that song to as many small groups or in as many workshops as you like
  • If you learn my songs in a workshop (from me or from another workshop leader) and want to take them back to your choir to sing please ask your choir to buy a licence.  It may also be worth checking with me that the song has been taught ‘correctly’ – by that I mean the latest version of it (sometimes my songs acquire new verses or parts or variations as they age).
  • If you teach my songs at an event where other leaders are present, for example a training event or song swap I’m happy for you to share these guidelines along with the song.

If you have any other questions, please get in touch….and enjoy the songs!