Guidance

PRS for Music collects royalties for composers, songwriters, and publishers whenever their music is performed in public. But how do you know if a piece requires a PRS payment? This guide explains which types of music are covered, how PRS tracks usage, and when you might need a licence for arrangements or adaptations

What types of music require PRS payments? 

PRS covers copyrighted music, including: 

If your music group performs copyrighted music in public, you may need to pay PRS for Music fees. These fees help ensure that composers, songwriters, and publishers receive royalties for their work. The cost of a PRS licence depends on the type of performance, ticket sales and whether live or recorded music is used. 

This guide explains how PRS fees are calculated and what additional charges may apply. 

PRS licence fees for different types of performances 

PRS for Music applies different tariffs depending on the type of event: 

If your group performs music in public, you may need a PRS for Music licence to comply with copyright law. PRS for Music ensures that composers and publishers receive royalties when their music is played or performed. 

For amateur and leisure-time music groups, understanding when a PRS licence is required can help avoid unexpected costs or legal issues. 

When do leisure-time music groups need a PRS licence? 

Your group will likely need a PRS for Music licence if you perform copyrighted music in public. This includes: 

PRS for Music is the UK organisation that ensures composers and music publishers receive royalties when their music is played or performed in public. Whether it’s a live concert or a rehearsal open to the public, PRS for Music helps to ensure that music creators are fairly paid for their work. 

If your group performs music in public, understanding PRS is essential to ensure you comply with licensing rules. 

In this recording of our webinar (original event 11 February 2025), we partnered with our corporate member Rayburn Tours to talk about how to organise a tour with your music group.

It can be very difficult to get new people to discover your music group. But with our handy resource for beginners, you too can start using Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) to improve your website’s search rankings.

Contents:

The INCLUDE groups used activity that was designed to reach new people and organisations as part of a strategy to widen the diversity of their groups.

Creating musical activities that connect 

Short-term

All four groups planned musical activities with the aim of reaching new people and raising awareness across their whole communities. Large-scale events required money and effort to organise but had the potential to make an impact if the follow-up was right.

Approaching access and inclusion work strategically helped the INCLUDE groups set realistic goals and embed access and inclusion as key to their whole group’s development.  

Getting people involved

Short-term

The committees of the INCLUDE groups engaged with all their members and got extra people involved with building and delivering their strategy.

The INCLUDE groups made small changes to the way they welcome and initially interact with new people to improve the accessibility and inclusive feel of their groups. 

Enabling access through information  

Short-term

The groups made changes to the information they provide about coming to their rehearsals and concerts, so it is easier find and helps people understand how to access their activity. They particularly focused on access information for disabled people.

The INCLUDE groups made changes to the way they operate their regular activity to make their groups more inclusive, involving their members to ensure that they felt included and changes were well-suited. 

Gathering ideas and opinions

Short-term

The groups involved their members in change, asking people about their experiences and inviting them to be part of decision making.