Revised February 26, 2024
The link below contains information about copyright and tools, such as charts and videos, that can help you better understand copyright.
University of Iowa music and copyright guide
Music Options for Department of Dance Choreographers
Music Requiring a License
Any performance with theatrical elements, such as acting, sets, or choreography requires grand rights for music and/or recordings under copyright and must be licensed on a work-by-work basis. This would include music that is being used in Department of Dance productions including live performances, livestreamed performances, or recorded performances. This applies to any performance that the general public is invited to attend. For further questions regarding rights holder information and help in determining copyright status, please contact Katie Buehner (katie-buehner@uiowa.edu) in the Music Library.
Please see the University of Iowa’s Global Music Rights License Agreement:
Click here for the Global Music Rights License Agreement
Collaborate with a Musician or Composer
Choreographers may also choose to collaborate with musicians and/or composers to create new music for their work. It is best practice to have a written record of your agreement when working with the musicians and/or composers.
Public Domain, Free Licenses, or Royalty-Free Music
If you do not have a budget for your production, choreographers may use music that is in the public domain or that is royalty/license-free. Keep in mind that some compositions are public domain, but the recordings may not be. Some good resources for free licenses or royalty-free music include:
o soundFORmovement.com (Michael Wall)
o freemusicarchive.org
o pond5.com
o bensound.com
Please carefully review the information on these sites for proper use and attribution. When you submit your program information to marketing, please be sure to include all notes for crediting the music.
Obtaining a License
It is the choreographer’s responsibility to obtain the appropriate license or licenses for music for their work. The amount of time it takes to obtain a license will depend on the publisher or rights holder, so it is recommended that you begin the process as soon as you have decided to use that music in your work. Sometimes this process can take several months.
Please see licensing email templates to assist you as you begin to reach out to the publisher or rights holder.
If you do not obtain the license for your music, you will not be able to use that music as part of your work in the performance. Please allow yourself enough time to initiate a backup plan.
Payment
Some productions in the University of Iowa Department of Dance have budgets to support the payment of licensing music. Before you begin the music selection process, it is recommended that you determine if there is a budget available for your work. Licensing budget questions should be referred to the Production Manager, Briana Maxwell at briana-maxwell@uiowa.edu.
Student choreographers are strongly encouraged to use one of the free options mentioned above. Thesis candidates may wish to allocate a portion of their total budget for music licensing.
For licensing payments:
Please send licensing invoice to Associate Company Manager, Jason Millsap at Jason-millsap@uiowa.edu to process payment. Only invoices will be accepted to process licensing and copyright payments.
Licensing contracts are not created, or signed, by anyone outside the Purchasing Office, purchasing-contracts@uiowa.edu.
Additional Resources
copyright term and public domain in the united states (cornell)
Licensing Email Templates
The University of Iowa [name of ensemble] is interested in performing [title of work] on [date(s) of performances] held in [name of venue]. There will be [cost in dollars or no cost] charged for attendance of this performance. Anticipated attendance for the event is [# of people].
The University of Iowa would like to secure a license for grand rights for this live performance. Please let us know the terms of the license and any other information you may require in order to provide a license and cost structure for obtaining rights. Payment will be made after receipt of invoice from vendor.
Thank you for considering this request.
The University of Iowa [name of ensemble] is interested in performing [title of work] on [date(s) of performances] held in [name of venue]. There will be [cost in dollars or no cost] charged for attendance of this performance. Anticipated attendance for the event is [# of people]. The UI would also like to live stream this event on its locally managed streaming server (no third party streaming via social media platforms or video services like YouTube).
The University of Iowa would like to secure a license for grand rights for this live performance and stream. Please let us know the terms of the license and any other information you may require in order to provide a license and cost structure for obtaining rights. Payment will be made after receipt of invoice from vendor.
Thank you for considering this request.
The University of Iowa [name of ensemble] is interested in performing [title of work] on [date(s) of performances] held in [name of venue]. There will be [cost in dollars or no cost] charged for attendance of this performance. Anticipated attendance for the event is [# of people]. The UI would also like to post a video recording of this performance to the University of Iowa Department of Dance YouTube channel. The UI would consider both limited (e.g., 1,000 views or one year, whichever is reached first) or perpetual licensing terms as options, cost dependent. Payment will be made after receipt of invoice from vendor.
Thank you for considering this request.