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Sheet music solutions for MS ChorusDate: July 6, 2012 by Matthew Hill  Views: 2495
Hi all,
I'm taking over a middle school choral program in the Fall, and am trying to decide how best to handle giving the kids the music. I have multiple sections of each grade-level choir, and don't have enough octavos to give each kid their own copy. In another gig, I had enough folders for one class with copies of music corresponding to the number I owned, and each folder was shared by 1 kid in each class. This wasn't bad, but I was replacing copies a fair amount, and because of the sharing I couldn't hold anyone responsible for the music getting destroyed.
So, does anyone have a tried-and-true method for use of sheet music with middle school choirs that have multiple sections? I'm all ears :-)
-Matt
Replies (8): Threaded | Chronological
Mary Jane Phillips on July 6, 2012 4:37pm
Copyright law (as I have always understood it) states that you must have one copy of music for each singer. If you don't have enough of something, you must buy more. I give each student a separate folder with their own music that is checked out to them like a book. If damaged, they pay for it - just like book fines in other classes. I have friends who buy a copy for each student, then xerox the music and only let the kids touch the xeroxed music - that's always struck me as both wasteful of paper and skirting the legal ramifications of the law, but I know a lot of people who do it.
Mary Jane
Debbie Wood on July 7, 2012 2:19pm
I have never heard of the copyright law REQUIRING one copy of music for each singer. It says you can't copy the music to skirt buying the music. But if I choose to have 2 students share a folder/music or if I purchase a "classroom set" and use/share the music in assigned folders in each/all of my classrooms, there is nothing against the copyright law with that. I'm using the original music, not copies. There is nothing wrong with that.
Debbie
Applauded by an audience of 2
on July 7, 2012 6:59am
Well, I've seen this done before: you own enough Octavos for
at least one section of the choir, right? Your original idea about
having folders shared by each section is a good one. However I
understand the concern about the music getting damaged. Since you
do own the Octavos, why not make photocopies and share the folders
as you've done before. But, this time, when a copy gets damaged,
merely replace it with another copy. It IS acceptable since you own
the originals, and it should allow for everyone to use the music
without worrying about damaging it. Hope the idea helps!
Andrew
on July 7, 2012 9:43am
All together now: 'Oh no, it isn't!'
Applauded by an audience of 7
on July 12, 2012 6:01pm
Stephen et. al.,
Can you explain to me where in the following text from NAfME's Guide to Copyright Law you believe we are prohibited from using a singular copy of an octavo you own... I see you're not supposed to make more than THREE copies... but one? Help me out here:
Based on this legislative compromise, the intent of the law seems to be that music educators can do several things, without having secured permission of the copyright owner:
Thanks!
on July 12, 2012 6:48pm
ALL rights to copy belong to the copyright holder. The "Fair Use" guidelines list the only EXCEPTIONS that are granted. What you mention is not listed, therefore it is not allowed.
The THREE copy rule applies only to replace damaged, deteriorating, etc. copies.
on July 13, 2012 1:50am
I must admit, that three-copy rule was a new one on me. I'm no copyright expert and what's more I'm not in education and not in the US - I was merely echoing what I've read on this forum in the past. Still, I'd say (based on musiced.nafme.org/resources/copyright-center/united-states-copyright-law-a-guide-for-music-educators/appendix-a-g/) that:
Steve
on July 7, 2012 10:18am
Matt,
I had the same situation when I taught middle school and junior high. I had a folder holder made for me (just like the ones you can buy at Wenger, but a lot less money! It had 100 slots total.) The folder holder is all numbered and a folder corresponding to that same number is in the slot.
Students from each period were each given a number and were responsible for ALL music in the folder. Just like Mary Jane stated, they were assigned the folder and responsible if any of the music was damaged or lost. Students had to return the folder to the slots at the end of every period.
If someone wanted to take the music home, they had to check it out, like a library book and had to be returned the next morning before 1st period. I had to check it off and made sure all of the music was in the folder and in good shape. The student then signed off and so did I. (No food spills, juice spills, dog ate it, my baby brother got a hold of it, it was raining, et. etc.). This way I knew which folders went out, who borrowed them and who returned them. I kept these in case their was any questions. It took a few extra minues, but was well worth it in the long run. After I had the system in place, I was able to assign this task to some responsible students. Any damage or lost music was reported to me immediately!!
I had a few extra folders for kids who may have forgotten them to use in class. Those folders were a bright color, so I knew who had them and made sure they were returned at the end of each peiod!!
A few of the music teachers in our district use a program called"CHARMS". They have coded each piece of music and can keep track of everyone who has it. Might be worth looking into also.
At our school, students couldn't get their yearbooks until they had all fines paid. This really helped if music was lost or damaged. I was able to replace it.
I hope this helps!
Laurie Cappello
Applauded by an audience of 4
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