Exam music sessions information 2024
For all 3rd and 4th years and final year postgraduates who are doing a recital at the end of the academic year.
Copies of music for end-of-year recitals
Requirements for all students:
One copy of the music must be provided for the examination panel, in addition to any copies from which you are performing.
To ensure that you have the necessary copies, sign up for a Library meeting online or in person, taking place from Monday 11 March 2024.
What you need to do
1. Sign up for a 20 minute meeting via Asimut. You'll find the dates and times under "Events signup" and "Study Management"
2. Have any performing copies of the music with you for the session.
What the Library does
During your session Library staff will ensure that you have the required number of copies of the music for your recital. This may be done via:
-Purchasing additional copies
-Reserving Library copies
-Ensuring legal photocopies under the Higher Education Printed Music Licence or MPA Code of Fair Practice
-Arranging for you to share copies with other students who also need the music for their exam
-Acquiring copying permission from the publishers for copyrighted works
If you do not attend a consultation then we may not be able to assist you in obtaining the necessary copies for your examination.
FAQs
Why can’t I just give the examiners photocopies?
Photocopies are acceptable, provided that they are legal. The College is committed by Law to comply with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, and as such it will not allow illegal photocopies into an exam, audition or competition. If a student attends an examination with unauthorised photocopies of the music to be performed, the examination will not be able to proceed and the student will be awarded 0% for the assessment (Student information handbook Section 8 p.4). Library staff can advise on whether photocopies will be allowed under some exceptions, including the Higher Education Printed Music Licence and the MPA Code of Fair Practice. Information about copyright law can be found here.
Can I or my accompanist perform from photocopies?
Photocopies may be allowed if the music is covered by the Higher Education Printed Music Licence. Otherwise, you cannot perform from photocopies of copyright works unless express permission has been sought from the copyright owner and documentary evidence to this effect is produced. Photocopying for the purposes of page turns is exempt provided the whole unit is not copied. (Student information handbook, Section 8 p.6)
I own my own copy of the music I’m performing, can I photocopy it for the panel?
If you own the music for your end-of-year recital or you have borrowed it from a Library, friend or teacher, and it is published by one of the members of the MPA, you can legally make one copy per examiner, providing that the copies are retained and destroyed by the examiners immediately after the recital. These copies should be marked with the following ‘Examiner copy. Destroy after use’. Bring your copy of the music to the Library consultation so that staff can advise you. For more information click here.
Do the copies for the exam panel need to be the same edition as the one I’m performing from?
Where possible the panel copies should be of the same edition as your performing copy. However, another edition is acceptable provided any major differences are noted.
Do the copies for the exam panel need to be in the same key as the one I’m performing from?
Vocal scores may be presented in an alternative key provided the panel is notified.
I am performing a piece which I have arranged, can I make copies of this?
If you are planning to perform an arranged version of a copyrighted work then you need to have obtained the permission of the copyright owner to make the arrangement as well as for the additional copies for the panel.