The Right to Copy

Every year, I get the request from parents to have recordings of their child's performance. This is reasonable. However, I always must tell them (with a frown on my face) that I cannot give them one. The parents usually think it's just my laziness or perhaps a handicap with technology and usually respond with:

"Well, if you'll just give me the recording I can make copies"

Or,

"But I wasn't able to make it"

The first response I just have to flat out tell you all is illegal. The second is tragic, but again there is little I can do.

But...why?

In essence it's because of this thing called "copyright."

"But Mr. Dixon", you might say, "a'int Mozart and all that stuff public domain?"

Well, some of the works we do are in the public domain, but the music we perform is almost always an arrangement by someone and that arrangement falls under copyright.

Besides, we perform far more than Mozart and Bach. We perform newer composers like Libby Larsen and Joshua Shank. Michael Cox and Eric Whitacre.

So what is all this copyright stuff? 

Simply put, it's an artist's right to make money from their own work. Imagine that you had labored possibly hundreds of hours on a project at your work. Don't you have the right to make money for your labor? Of course you do! Copyright is simply making sure that those that wrote the piece, painted the portrait or molded the sculpture get paid for their ideas and work.

Ok, but it can't last that long right?

Actually, yes. Yes it can. Anything published from 1978 to the present falls under modern copyright law. By that law, anything published after that date is copyrighted from the day of publication until 70 years after the death of the original author of the work.

Wow! That's a long time! But what does that have to do with our little choir program?!

Essentially the writers of this law just want to make sure that the author of the work and their posterity enjoy ALL the fruits of their labor. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but there is potential that the person who wrote that music might have their funds diminished if people don't buy their sponsored recordings.

But I don't care what my kid is singing I just care that it's my kid!

I agree and understand your point, but the fact remains we could be sued for up to $30,000 dollars per violation if the composer wants to press charges.

Oh...so is there nothing you can do?

Well, there are some songs I can record and distribute on this blog and/or my personal website, but those works all fall under public domain.

That's the stuff that's not copyrighted, right?

Right.

So, what can we do?

Whenever possible I try to do a benefit concert made up of pieces that we have either:

A) Obtained the composer's permission to use the piece for our benefit concert

Or

B) Fall under public domain so we can sell copies

In those cases I would love to sell you a copy.

Where can I find this stuff out?

Glad you asked!

Here's where I found most of my information:

http://musiced.nafme.org/resources/copyright-center/united-states-copyright-law-a-guide-for-music-educators/united-states-copyright-law-a-guide-for-music-educators-part-1/#intro - This is the National Association for Music Education's HUGE article on copyright. It's a prickly issue for music educators right now because there have been some recent changes.

http://copyright.cornell.edu/resources/publicdomain.cfm - This is a spiffy chart that shows how the law works visually.

http://musiced.nafme.org/resources/copyright-center/copyright-the-public-domain-maze/ - This explains public domain a little more clearly

http://www.pdinfo.com/    -This shows a list of public domain works

Hope that clears it up and feel free to email me any questions or call me during my office hours! I don't have all the answers, but I'll always veer on the side of being safe when it comes to copyright. No risk, no $30,000 fee that none of us have the money to pay! :)

iPads and student-centered teaching

Every few months or at least once a year, Apple comes out with a shiny new iProduct. The iPad has changed and revitalized Apple, along with essentially inventing tablet computing over-night. So, if the iPad is such a wonderful tool and because our school has access to these products how will they help my son or daughter learn and more importantly, how is that good use of my tax money?

All of which are good questions. Let's break it down.


1. Just how useful are these things?

• The iPad is one of the best selling tablets of all time and there are millions of apps in the app store at the time of this writing, with software developers coming up with new uses for this technology almost daily. 
• Tablet interaction is most certainly the future of most desktop computing. The newest Windows OS (Windows 8), was even centered around tablet computing to take advantage of the growing market. Clearly this is technology both student and teacher should be familiar with and isn't going away. 
• Music is a very popular use for these apps. With programs like garage band or even composer specific programs (like the Wagner app we used) becoming commonplace by the day.

2. How will they help my child?

• Student centered learning is a hot buzzword in education circles. Usually something about personalized learning experiences follows. Basically, these terms just mean that the curriculum is centered around student need and interest and that lesson plans are flexible enough to be personalized to student pace and interest.
• The iPad is a great way to personalize student learning. For instance, the Wagner app can allow students to see how Wagner not only uses leitmotifs, but also how they change throughout the operas without having to sit through 17 hours or German opera. 
• The iPad can also be used for allowing students to go at their own pace.

3. So, what are some hindrances?

• The student will have a difficult time making the lesson personalized if they are constantly having to share equipment. Sharing is caring, but it also slows the pace of learning at times. 
• iPads are expensive to be sure. But, as mentioned above the technology is useful in the classroom and will most certainly be an investment for the students so they can be familiar with the technology in an increasingly technology-driven economy. Music class would be a great "foot in the door" experience for these students. 
• iPads are also commonly provided to schools with grants. The cost can be greatly lowered or even eliminated through federal grants and even Apple programs to help students to be exposed to technology. 

So, there you have it. The iPad is a great tool and is also a wonderful way for students to become familiar with complicated technology. 

Feel free to leave questions or comments below or contact me through the usual channels!