Date sent: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 16:45:21 -0800
From: "Dale Gillespie"
Subject: Re: Photocopying Music (long)
Organization: Angelfire (http://email.angelfire.com:80)
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Hello List,
There has been a great deal of discussion of late on the pros and cons of copying sheet music. I would just like to throw in my 2 cents worth.

I myself have no problem with photocopying music. For one thing it sits better on the paino when the sheets are taped together, which eliminates page turning for the accompanist.

Also what about music that is out of print, and you come accross it at the Library. As you can no longer purchase a copy of it legitamately, what are you left to do but photocopy it so that you have it. I have come across this dilema on any number of occasions and photocopied the music with no
feelings of guilt at all.

I feel the same way as some of you seem to about purchasing a book of music for just one song. No way. Not at the price of some music books. I don't know about any of you, but I cannot afford to pay over $30.00 (Can.) for some things just for one song. And of course the song that you want is not
available separatley. If it was I would buy it. (Although the price for some singles sheet music is outeragous too. I have paid upwards of $8.00 to $10.00 for one piece of sheet music.)

I have also read with interest some of you commenting on having to have original copies for the Accompanist and the Judge in competitions. Sometimes this can become outragous too. A case in point. I had heard thru my voice teacher about a voice competion that the CBC (I think) was holding. It was
for Opera. There were 5 Judges and one Accompanist. It required that you have an original (store bought) copy of the full Vocal Score for each one of the Judges and the Accompanist. Thats 6 full copies of the score. Now each contestant had to have (I think) three Arias ready. So, that is 6
copies of the full Vocal Score from three different Operas. Now that is 24 copies of full Vocal Scores.

I don't know what the prices are in the U.S., but here in Canada I have seen Opera Scores range anywhere from $20.00 Canadian all the way up to over $100.00 Canadian, depending on the score. Now, can you imagine what that particular competion would cost a contestant if they could not borrow from
a friend or the library all the scores that they would need to compete. I know that I could never even dream about affording to enter a competition like that.

I know that the publishers lose money every time someone copies their sheet music - but - I don't know what the answer to this dilema is. I really don't think that there is one. But I am sure that we will keep talking about it.

Now I know that some of you will possibly want to flame me on my attitude to photocopying - but - so be it. I can take it. I mean no disrespect to anyone by the way.

Bye for now. That was just my 2 cents worth.
---
Dale Gillespie - Tenor
bigtenordale-at-angelfire.com
Coquitlam, BC
Canada




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