Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for visiting the UK section of musicsales.com. Before you send a question to us, please make sure that the answer can’t be found elsewhere on the web site. Please refer to the list of questions and answers below:

• Who is Music Sales Ltd?
• Which other publishing companies are connected to Music Sales?
• How do I buy sheet music?
• How do I hire a piece of music?
• What is a 'special order' item?
• I want to commission a composer. How do I do it?
• I need permission to photocopy music. How do I get it?
• I need music that is out of print. How do I get it?
• I need a programme note and composer biography. How do I get them?
• I need to license a recording. How do I do it?
• I need to license a school/youth theatre performance. Who do I contact?
• I'm a composer/author. Do you accept submissions of manuscripts?
• I am looking for a recording. How can I order it?
• I need information about a composer, or particular work by a composer, that is not on your website.
• How can I find out more about music publishing in general?
• I have a different question. Who do I contact?

Who is Music Sales Ltd?

Music Sales Ltd is the UK subsidiary of the Music Sales Group. It is also the parent company of Chester Music and Novello and Co.

Sister companies within the Music Sales Group include Edition Wilhelm Hansen in Denmark, G Schirmer in the US and Union Musical Ediciones in Spain. Music Sales Film & TV is also a subsidiary of Music Sales Ltd. You can find a complete history and list of the sister companies in the Music Sale group here.

Which other publishing companies are connected to Music Sales?

As well as Chester Music and Novello & Co, the following companies are based at Music Sales UK:

· Bosworth & Co Ltd
· Alain Boublil Music Ltd
· Alfred Lengnick & Co Ltd
· Paterson's Publications
· Omnibus Press
· Golden Apple
· J Curwen & Sons Ltd
· Edwin Ashdown

Music from the above list of companies can be hired or purchased in exactly the same way as for Chester or Novello works.

In addition to these, Music Sales also distributes for many other major publishers including Hal Leonard, IMP, Dover Music and Shawnee Press.

How do I buy sheet music?

First, to check on the availability of a piece, please visit the catalogue section of our website at www.musicroom.com. If you can't find the piece you are looking for, it may not be published by Music Sales or it may be out of print. If you're not certain who publishes the piece you want, the ASCAP and BMI websites are good references for publisher information

Once you are sure that the piece or book you require is published by Music Sales and is currently in print, please follow the instructions below:

Public

Members of the public can purchase sheet music from either their local music shop or online at www.musicroom.com and www.sheetmusicdirect.com.

Trade

New trade customers must first open an account with Music Sales Ltd. before they can purchase sheet music at trade discounts. To find out how to open an account visit www.msdealers.com.

Current trade account holders can purchase music either via www.msdealers.com, their local Music Sales rep, from the Trade Sales Hotline: 01284 705050 or by fax: 01284 702592

How do I hire a piece of music?

You can use the online hire service here UK hire orders can also be placed with our Hire library in Bury St Edmunds (Contact Us/Bury). If you wish to hire material outside the UK, please contact your local Music Sales Office (Contact Us/International).

What is a 'special order' item?

Items that are made up to order are called Special Order items. These could be items that are low on stock or currently out of print. To contact special orders email .

Special order items may also be purchased via www.musicroom.com.

I want to commission a composer. How do I do it?

For classical composers, contact the relevant composer manager through the promotions department at promotions@musicsales.co.uk.

Remember to budget for production costs, which are a contribution towards the printing and editorial costs incurred preparing the performing materials. Information on commissioning fees may be obtained from the British Academy of Songwriters and Composers at www.britishacademy.com.

For film & TV work, contact .

I need permission to photocopy music. How do I get it?

Permission requests must be submitted in writing via mail or fax. You also need permission to copy music as part of an article, book or dissertation. Send your request to .

I need music that is out of print. How do I get it?

If you are trying to obtain archival photocopies of music you believe is published by Chester, Novello, Edition Wilhelm Hansen, Union Musicale Ediciones, Bosworth & Co., and associated Music Sales companies but is now out of print, please make your request in writing to:

Special Orders Dept.,
Music Sales,
Newmarket Road,
Bury St Edmunds,
Suffolk.
IP33 3YB

or by fax on 01284 702592,

or via e-mail at .

Please include as much identifying detail as possible: composer, title, publisher(s), instrumentation, date, catalogue numbers, etc. together with your name, address and the number of copies required. If a copy can be located we will inform you of the price of the piece and carriage charges. Payment may be made by credit card or cheque. We do not despatch until payment has been received.

We would hope to get the copies despatched to you within 7-10 working days. This, of course, is dependent upon whether or not we have a copy in our archives. If we do not have a copy, but you do, we offer a service where you send us a copy/original, we will master it for our archives and send you the first 10 copies of your order free of charge. You would only be charged for the remaining copies and carriage.

The copies come to you printed double-sided, either folded and stapled or spiral-bound depending on the piece of music. If you prefer not to have it bound we can also do that for you. The size of the paper varies according to the piece.

Please note: if you already have access to a copy of the music, it will be simpler and faster (and less expensive) to obtain permission to make your own photocopies, rather than asking us for archival photocopies. For this permission, please contact .

I need a programme note and composer biography. How do I get them?

We have biographies for many of the composers we publish, but not all. Take a look at the 'composer' page on our site for a list of current biographies. Programme notes are listed where available. Take a look at the 'work' page. If you don't find the information you are looking for, please send a written request via mail, fax, or email. We will provide the information if we have it. Translations of composer biographies and programme notes are often available. Please contact your local agent for details. Some programme notes are protected by copyright; you will need permission from the copyright holder before using them.

I need to license a recording. How do I do it?

You may apply using the online licence application for here.

Mechanical licences are licences issued to manufacturers of audio products, such as records, audio tapes and compact discs. Permission to obtain a mechanical licence for first time recordings (e.g. Premiere Recordings) is required and may be obtained by contacting Paul Narey at the Hire Library ( ). All material hire agreements should be completed prior to the recording date. Copies of the Premiere Recording will be required by the Composer and the Publisher for copyright and promotional purposes, the exact amount to be determined by the Publisher.

Licences for Musical Compositions that have been recorded previously are referred to as COMPULSORY MECHANICAL LICENCES. This means that permission is not required to record these Musical Compositions and that the royalty rate is set by the MCPS (Mechanical Copyright Protection Society). If you have any further questions contact www.mcps.co.uk.

I need to license a school/youth theatre performance. Who do I contact?

You can use the online licence application form here.

I'm a composer/author. Do you accept submissions of manuscripts?

We will accept small unsolicited submissions (up to 3 of your best works) for review. Send scores/manuscripts to the address below (no computer files please), with recordings and printed reviews whenever possible, and include brief biographical/career information. Please do not telephone or send faxes or e-mail messages. If you wish your materials returned after we've reviewed them, include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Be patient; it may be 60 days or longer before you hear from us.

Editorial Dept.
Music Sales Ltd.
8-9 Frith St.
London
W1D 3JB

I am looking for a recording. How can I order it?

We do not handle the sale or distribution of composers' recordings. For information as to the availability of a particular piece of music, you should ask your local record shop. Refer to the composer's discography for further information.

I need information about a composer, or particular work by a composer, that is not on your website.

We may not be the primary publisher of your composer. You may wish to consult service organisations such as PRS (Performing Right Society) or BMIC (British Music Information Centre) for such information. Publications such as the Grove Dictionary series are also good sources for publisher information.

How can I find out more about music publishing in general?

Try the following organisations:

Music Publishers Association (MPA)
3rd Floor Strandgate
18-20 York Buildings
London
WC2N 8JU
Tel: 020 7839-7779

Performing Right Society (PRS): www.prs.co.uk

I have a different question. Who do I contact?

If we have not yet answered your question, please send a message to the marketing department at .