Musical America Blogs

By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq. Dear Law and Disorder, I am a music professor at a medium-sized state college. We have two questions with regard to live streaming some of our concerts and recitals. We, of course, have paid the ASCAP and BMI licenses/fees to cover the rights for live performances.  I believe the licensing agencies base [...]

By Robyn Guilliams, Esq. Dear Law and Disorder Why is it necessary for Canadian performers to obtain work permits in order to perform in the United States? Although Visas are not necessary, the work permit is necessary. Why are the artists not able to enter the way other business people under the North American Free Trade Agreement? Cultural [...]

By Brian Taylor Goldstein Dear Law & Disorder: We have a non-profit choral group. Our of local public television stations has sent us a contract to record and broadcast one of our concerts this December and they have an item that requires us to have workman’s comp on our entire group. We currently only have 3 [...]

By Brian Taylor Goldstein HELLO – How can an organization that presents music programs, and puts some of them on the Internet, find a good general release form for artists/speakers to sign? The tricky part about forms is not finding them, but choosing which one is right. There are lots of sources for good general [...]

By: Edna Landau To ask a question, please write Ask Edna. Dear Edna: I am a pianist, seeking to obtain performance opportunities without a manager. Can you please give me some guidance with regard to negotiating a fee? How can I tell what is reasonable and within the budget of the organization in question? How much [...]

by Sedgwick Clark I first met Omus Hirshbein in Carnegie Hall’s executive offices, where he worked for a brief time in 1973 between tenures at the Hunter College Concert Bureau and the 92nd Street Y. He was walking out of a planning meeting, saying in frustration to anyone nearby, “They won’t listen to me—they should [...]

by Edna Landau To ask a question, please write Ask Edna. Please note that in the months of June, July and August, I will be posting new entries to this blog on a bi-weekly basis. I am grateful to all of you for your interest in “Ask Edna” and wish you a very pleasant summer. Dear [...]

by Edna Landau  To ask a question, please write Ask Edna. This column was prepared with the assistance of Neale Perl, President of the Washington Performing Arts Society, and Ruth Felt, President of San Francisco Performances. Both are valued longtime colleagues, to whom I am very grateful. Dear Edna: I am a pianist and have [...]