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Whether you are performing, writing, rehearsing or recording music, you’ll probably need to be covered by a licence. But knowing where to start, what you should consider and what you need to do can be confusing. This resource will introduce the permissions and licenses you may need and how to get them.

Even if your group has never needed a licence it’s worth taking some time to understand music licensing because: 

If your music group performs in public, you may need to pay royalties to the composers whose works you use. This is where PRS for Music comes in. Understanding how PRS fees work ensures your group remains compliant while supporting the creators behind the music you perform. 

Who is PRS for Music? 

PRS for Music is the UK’s royalty collection society for songwriters, composers, and music publishers. It collects fees from those who publicly perform or play copyrighted music and distributes these royalties to the creators. 

We know that many of our member groups operate on a tight budget. Working with our corporate members, we’ve collected more than two dozen discounts, subsidies and offers to help our members save on everything from sheet music to booking artists and making recordings. 

Discover the joy and camaraderie of community choirs across the UK. Making Music is proud to support a vibrant network of community choirs, open to people of all skill levels and backgrounds, who come together to sing, connect, and make a positive impact on their communities. 

In this recording of our webinar (original event 25 September 2023), Making Music launched INCLUDE, our 18-month inclusion programme where we will work with four member groups to explore what leisure-time music groups can do to include more people, from a more diverse demographic, in their regular activities.

At the heart of your music making is the people, whether that's members, potential members or audiences. But if you're struggling to attract new people or keep your current people engaged, could there be barriers that you're unaware of?

Use the resources below to review and make the changes you need to welcome more people.

These resources aren't exhaustive, and we're constantly reviewing, updating and adding to them. We would be happy for you to contact us with suggestions. 

Booking professional musicians can be financially challenging for many leisure-time groups. Making Music offers members specially reduced or subsidised rates to make booking and engaging artists more affordable.

Philip and Dorothy Green Young Artists subsidies

The Philip and Dorothy Green Young Artists (PDGYA) scheme enables young musicians at the start of their careers to gain vital performance experience across the UK, while Making Music members can engage some of the very best young musical talent at a reduced cost. 

How Hampshire Harmony, previously knows as the Basingstoke Ladies Choir, transformed their communication and strengthened their community — Hazel Green shares their experience. 

How did you manage the group before?

Our group had a very limited website, which made members feel a little distant from the choir; it wasn’t easy to use or edit and felt uninspiring, containing only three back-end sections.

We've looked at many types of genres in our 'An introduction to' series, but now it's time to go back in time, all the way to the rise of Early music. What is Early music? How is it different from classical music? Can you still play Early music today? John Bryan gives us an overview.

Early Music in London

There are three types: we influence on your behalf; we offer practical and artistic support; and we connect you to each other and to relevant contacts.