Governance and finance | Making Music

Governance and finance

Making the most of your Making Music membership (online event)

Your Making Music membership offers a wealth of benefits. They are designed to support you running your music group, to save time, effort and money, as well as offer ideas and inspiration.

But are you making the most of your membership? In this event will explain what you have access to - and what how we can help.

Please note: this event will be focused on giving an overview of what is available to members and how you can make the most of them, we will not have time to go in depth about specific topics.

 

We'll talk about:

Location

Online
United Kingdom

Recruiting resources: Overview

Recruiting new members is the biggest challenge leisure-time music groups face. From ensuring your recruitment process is inclusive, to figuring out where to find new members, it us, unfortunately, not an exact science; but there are some tried-and-trusted strategies you can implement.

Recruiting toolkit

Our five-part series covers every step of the recruitment journey, from defining who do you want as a member, understanding your current membership, and finding and recruiting new members.

Is classical music royalty-free?

Many music groups assume that classical music is automatically royalty-free, but that’s not the case. While some classical works are out of copyright, performing them may still require a PRS for Music licence. 

When is classical music exempt from PRS fees?

A classical piece is generally exempt from PRS fees if: 

PRS versus PPL

When your music group performs you may need a PRS for Music licence. Some groups may also need a PPL licence if they use recorded music, such as backing tracks. Understanding the difference between these two licences ensures your group stays compliant and pays the correct fees. 

PRS for Music vs PPL: Key differences 

Both PRS for Music and PPL ensure that musicians and music creators receive fair payment for their work, but they cover different rights: 

What music does PRS cover?

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: 

PRS licence cost

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: 

Do I need a PRS licence?

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: 

What is PRS for Music

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. 

Creative Tax Reliefs (online event)

Is your music group missing out on Creative Tax Reliefs?

If you’re part of an instrumental, musical theatre or opera group, you could be eligible for Creative Tax Reliefs (CTR) – even if your group doesn’t pay tax.

CTR are offered by HMRC as a way to incentivize the creative industries. A common misconception is that you have to be paying tax to claim tax relief, but that isn’t the case. Charities that have not previously paid any tax can still claim tax reliefs and receive a payment from HMRC. All the groups we help claim CTR are registered charities.

Location

Online
United Kingdom

Online member meetup (Northern Ireland)

Running your group is a rewarding but challenging role. Our regular meetups are a chance for you to meet and share learning and ideas with other Northern Ireland groups facing similar challenges, explore specific issues affecting leisure-time music making in Northern Ireland and consider how we can work collaboratively to find solutions and advocate for the sector. 

Stephen McNally, Northern Ireland manager, will be leading this session.

 

We'll talk about:

Location

Online
United Kingdom