I am a drummer (does that count as a musician?)
I look upon music very much as I would the issue of biodiversity. Let me
explain: the U2s and Rolling Stones of the world are the mighty redwoods
standing tall and proud above all else. They have taken many years to
grow and develop, facing many hazards along the way (adverse weather,
pests, excessive drug intake etc etc)until they become virtually
impregnable.
However, down amongst the leaf litter are the small, local bands and the
people who play guitar on their beds and drum on pillows and tins. They
are important too. Without them there would be no nutrients getting to
the roots of the Redwoods.
So, my suggestion to small, local museums is to support their local
musicians (through selling their CDs in their shops and thereby getting
permission to play their music through their museum PA systems), invite
local musicians (rock, classical, jazz, whatever) to perform at their
museums and generally turn the PRS "threat" into a PR "opportunity" to
show the public that museums are vibrant places to visit and are at the
heart of their community's "ecosystem".
Essex "Rev Al Green" Havard
-----Original Message-----
From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sun Jester
Sent: 29 July 2008 09:48
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Performing Rights Society Licences for Playing Music
Good morning Gemmers
We have been following this thread with interest and have great sympathy
with the plight of small museums. However, our third partner in Sun
Jester is a musician who is registered with the PRS. Like her, most
working musicians are not mega-stars and the PRS is the medium (albeit
imperfect) by which she receives a small fee to acknowledge when her
work is played in a public environment. It is rather like use of
copyright images/text. After all, would you not expect at least an
acknowledgement if not a fee, if one of your copyrighted images were
used? Many working musicians have also been impacted by the demand for
PPL on smaller venues who have decided to give up on live music events
as well.
As ever, sometimes these things are not quite as simple as they seem.
The only constant truth being perhaps that the little people and
organisations are always at the bottom of the heap!
Have a good (if musically quiet) day!
Towse
SUN JESTER
Consultants for Lifelong Learning
Historical Interpreters
Community Artists
12 Ascott Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1HX
Tel: 01296 423118
http://sun-jester.website.orange.co.uk/
"Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and
entertainment doesn't know the first thing about either". - Herbert
Marshall McLuhan 1911-1980
|