Music Contracts 101: Exploring Recording Contracts

Article by Ty Cohen

In the music industry, there is an insane amount of variety in the types of music contracts out there. If you are thinking of busting into the music industry, then it is a good idea to explore the business side of it. You need to educate yourself on the types and legalities of music business contracts before hopping in.

First, recording contracts are arrangements between the artist and the label. This is where the artist makes a record and the label sells it. Once recording contracts are signed with the label, the company will own all rights, copyrights, to that record. More often than not, the artist is unable to record or perform under any other label.

An exception to the above rule is under something termed as a distribution deal. This is where someone else, meaning you or your manage for example, owns the copyright but the album is licensed to the label for a set period of time which will be stated under the terms of the music business contracts.

You may choose to include an opt-out clause in music contracts. This generally states that if the popularity of an artist decreases or they fail to sell records then they can be dropped. This can be great for a record company but ultimately not so great for the artist. It protects the company but also encourages the artist to perform and produce at the highest levels.

The following items are what you will find inside recording contracts: definitions, terms and commitments, exclusivity, grant of rights and copyrights. You may also see sections such as, advancements, royalties, recording costs, publishing, group provisions, creative control and cost control. Lastly, music contracts may contain; tour support, equipment, producers, accounting, promotional terms, miscellaneous and a line to sign on. Music business contracts are complex but educating yourself with the basics your first step in the right direction.

About the Author

Owner of Platinum Millennium publishing, former record label owner & national music industry seminar speaker/panelist. Author & creator of best-selling music biz books, courses, audio products & “How to” resources that helped 1000s. Visit http://www.order-yours-now.com/ for more information on Music Contracts, Recording Contracts, & Music Business Contracts.

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Question by : How can I restart my iPhone without loosing my music, videos, photos or contracts ?

Best answer:

Answer by Christopher
just back it up and when it restarts it will load it back on there

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(PRWEB) September 12, 2012

Philadelphia, PA: Affirming its place as an emerging leader in the development of new operatic works, the Opera Company of Philadelphia announced today that Nathan Gunn, internationally-renowned baritone, has been appointed as the director of its newly-formed American Repertoire Council. This position will work with Opera Company of Philadelphia General Director David B. Devan to lead and populate a steering council focused on advancing the Opera Company of Philadelphias American Repertoire Program, a commitment to produce a new American work in 10 consecutive seasons. The program launched in June 2012, with four announced co-commissioned operas as part of both the Aurora Series for Chamber Opera at the Perelman Theater and the Opera at the Academy Series.

We are honored and thrilled to have Nathan step into this prominent role at the Opera Company of Philadelphia, shared Devan. This partnership is born out of a genuine alignment between our company goals of driving momentum in the creation of new opera, and an artist who has an authentic track record as a performer and champion of American works throughout his career. Nathan has been contributing to our company on stage since 1996, and we believe that in this new position, he will play a key role in bringing countless important new opera projects to fruition in coming seasons.

It is a privilege to be asked by the Opera Company of Philadelphia to take on this role at such a pivotal time in my career and in the companys history, Gunn shared at the press conference. I know, firsthand, the many challenges of creating lasting new work the importance of putting together complementary creative partners, choosing the right artists, and identifying the resources to create something meaningful and relevant for todays audiences. I always enjoy when my work on the stage brings me to Philadelphia. I think its particularly appropriate that a city known for its revolutionary spirit has made this significant commitment to the future of American work.

In addition to bi-monthly meetings leading the American Repertoire Council, which will be comprised of a committed group of national advisors with varying roles and involvement in the creation of new repertoire, Gunn will work closely with General Director Devan, Music Director Corrado Rovaris, and OCP Artistic Advisor Mikael Eliasen on artistic planning for future seasons. Gunn will also serve as artistic counsel to OCPs two Composers in Residence, Lembit Beecher and Missy Mazzoli, as they each pursue their three-year development track in the creation of new operatic works.

The announcement was made at the Kimmel Centers Hamilton Rooftop Garden, located over the Perelman Theater where the American Repertoire Program was launched in June 2012. Against the backdrop of the national OPERA America Conference held in Philadelphia, Dark Sisters marked the inaugural piece in the program, written by composer Nico Muhly and composer Stephen Karam, and co-commissioned by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, and New Yorks Gotham Chamber Opera and Music-Theatre Group. The 2012 OPERA America Conference was also the site of the Opera Company of Philadelphias second annual Chamber Opera Symposium, an invitation-based event which brought together international producers of intimately-scaled chamber works for discussions about the advancement of the genre.

In 2013, the American Repertoire Program takes the Academy of Music stage with Silent Night, featuring music by Kevin Puts for which he won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Music and a poignant libretto by Mark Campbell. The sets and costumes for this East Coast Premiere were co-produced with Minnesota Opera, where the opera had its world premiere.

Additional announced co-commissions include two new works with The Santa Fe Opera. The first commission, Oscar, based on the life of Oscar Wilde, is composed by Theodore Morrison, with a libretto by the composer and John Cox. The opera will be performed in February 2015 at the Academy of Music as part of OCPs 40th Anniversary Season, following its 2013 world premiere at The Santa Fe Opera. The second commission is by the 2010 Pulitzer Prize-winner in music, Jennifer Higdon. Based on the bestselling novel Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier which won the National Book Award, it features a libretto by Gene Scheer, and will premiere in Santa Fe in 2015 before making its February 2016 East Coast Premiere at the Academy of Music. Nathan Gunn stars in the production in both Santa Fe and Philadelphia.

Gunns multi-year contract begins this month. Further announcements regarding the American Repertoire Council are planned for the Opera Company of Philadelphias season gala, N.O.W.: A Celebration of New Operatic Works, which coincides with the East Coast Premiere if Silent Night in February 2013.

ABOUT NATHAN GUNN

Nathan Gunn is regarded as one of the most exciting and in-demand baritones of the day. He has sung leading lyric baritone roles in many of the most renowned opera houses of the world including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Covent Garden, Paris Opera, Theatre an der Wien, and Bayerische Staatsoper. A supporter of new works, he created the roles of Clyde Griffiths in Tobias Pickers An American Tragedy, Father Delura in Love and Other Demons, Alec Harvey in Andre Previns Brief Encounter, and Paul in Daron Hagens Amelia. Also a distinguished concert performer, Mr. Gunn has appeared regularly with the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has also presented recitals in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, London, and Brussels.

Mr. Gunn has recently ventured outside the standard opera repertoire with appearances in performances of Camelot with the New York Philharmonic (broadcast live on PBSs Great Performances) and Showboat at Carnegie Hall and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He also appeared in the New York Philharmonics 80th birthday gala celebration for Stephen Sondheim and appeared with the orchestra in an evening of Broadway classics with Kelli OHara. Other engagements have included appearances with Mandy Patinkin in Rochester and at the Ravinia Festival, a series of cabaret shows at the famed Caf