The question of the legality of contest music, in particular (and all music performed by your chorus or quartet in general) has reared its ugly head in all Barbershop organizations in the last few years. As a matter of information, all three groups have compiled or are compiling informational data for their members’ use. It is important that we all agree to abide by the current rules and to keep the relevant information on file in your music library or other easily accessible location.

As a bit of history, early on in the formation of all the organizations the necessity for legalization was either unknown or overlooked. Would-be arrangers of the style (probably arch “wood shedders” with a bent for getting arrangements down on paper) freely distributed their attempts at codifying the barbershop style with little or no thought to compensating the artists who had created the songs originally. Many times the arrangements (charts) were shared with quartets or choruses, as mimeographed or purple ditto copies. If any of us still retain these “copies,” it would be wise to either get the arrangements legalized or stage a “bonfire” event -- and burn them to a crisp!

The Barbershop Harmony Society has in place a program through the Old Songs Library at their headquarters to facilitate the legalization of barbershop arrangements. On a daily/weekly basis, staff members Joe Liles and Julie Grower work with music publishers and other copyright owners to obtain the necessary permissions to legalize arrangements.

If you are uncertain about the legal standing of any arrangements on file with your performing group, check with either of them by phone (1-800-876-7464, ext. 4121 for Joe 110 7th Avenue N, Nashville, TN 37203-3704.

You will be asked to complete a Permission–To–Arrange form and remit the required fee. Either Joe or Julie should be able to walk you through the process. The Arrangement and Reproduction form is no guarantee that a publisher will grant permission to complete the arrangement. For more detailed information, you can go to: http://www.barbershop.org/web/groups/public/documents/pages/pub_cb_00050.hcsp

As the Barbershop Harmony Society states, “It is important to know that an arrangement becomes the property of the copyright holder, not the arranger. If another quartet or chorus wishes to obtain the arrangement, they must seek permission from and pay a fee to the copyright holder. The Library and Licensing Coordinator at Society headquarters can help you with the order process for unpublished arrangements.

Violations could result in a substantial fine. Examples of violations include arranging, selling an arrangement, or photocopying without permission. Penalties can range from $20,000 to $100,000 per copy, so it behooves all Barbershoppers to abide by the copyright statutes.”

The Society also maintains a list of arrangers whom you can contact to request a preview of possible charts for your chorus or quartet. It would be wise also to ask the arranger IF the arrangements need to be legalized – OR -- already have been legalized (It is better to be safe than sorry).

My suggestion? Make use of the materials already provided by the Barbershop Harmony Society: they have spent years developing a working relationship with the music industry and the legalization process. Can it cut into your chapter or quartet finances? Yes, probably, but in the long run it is a wiser choice.

Also, make sure your individual arrangements contain the applicable copyright information ON ALL COPIES. That information includes: correct name of song, composer/lyricist, original copyright date, copyright owner, and arranger. When this information is available for all, it is ready to be transferred to a contest form. It is also there to prove legality.

Watch for upcoming articles on using your web site for learning tracks and the like.