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You are at the Music Information Page
Music Requirements and Forms for 2012 SFWGA Color Guard and Percussion Performances.
Color Guard units using recorded music
Color Guard performances that use recorded audio, such as CDs, MP3's, iPods, and other digital recordings, are already covered under the SFWGA's blanket competition licenses. Unit Directors are required to file their performance music copyright info online through the "Instructors" page.
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Percussion units using live instrumentation - "Permission to Arrange"
In addition to the blanket concert licenses held by the SFWGA, units that use live instrumentation must obtain "Permission to Arrange" directly from the music publisher. Copyright and publisher information is usually located on the first page of all sheet music, or may be obtained through the ASCAP and BMI search engines on this page. Please note, however, that neither ASCAP nor BMI grant "permission to arrange" licenses. These must be obtained directly from the composition's publisher. The industry standard reply time is 3 months. Start early and leave enough time for a back-up selection if your original permission request is denied. A copy of the signed permission must be submitted to the SFWGA with your 2012 Membership Due payment, or may be scanned and uploaded online through the "Instructors" page. If you purchased a composition "package" that includes Permission to Arrange, then you are only required to provide a copy of that permission.
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Original Composition
Submit this form to the SFWGA with your Membership dues payment, or upload a scanned copy through the "Instructors" page. if you are using unpublished work that was authored by you or someone you know. If you are using only original works of composition, additional licensing is not required. However, if the piece has been published, or is in the process of being published, then you cannot use this form. For published work, use the Permission to Arrange form above.
     
Public Domain    

All sheet music and lyrics published in the year 1922 or earlier, fall into the classification of public domain in the United States. Use the link at the right side of this page to determine if your selected music may fall into this category. If your music is public domain, then submit this form with your 2012 Membership dues payment, or upload a scanned copy online through the Instructors page. No additional licensing is required.
   
The SFWGA is committed to compliance with all U.S. Copyright Laws pertaining to the use of show and performance music in our contests. As Directors and Instructors, it is your responsibility to understand how those laws relate to your particular performance, and what steps you need to take to secure any required permissions. First, please read through the FAQ's on right side of this page, then follow the steps below to guide you through the process. Units that have not secured the performance permissions that are required for their shows, will not be able to perform in SFWGA contests.

 Color Guard music copyright info can be filed online through the "Instructors" page.
Completed Permission to Arrange authorization may be uploaded through the "Instructors" page.

Please Note:

If your unit will participate in a
WGI or other contest venue, we strongly suggest that you contact those organizations for their
specific music requirements. For your convenience, a link to WGI's copyright requirements is above.