PRS and MU

This post will talk about why i would need to join PRS and MU and how it would help me in my later life.

Stuart Belsham is a representative from PRS. He came to luton sixth form college to present a talk about the PRS and the things that PRS can do for us if we choose to become composers or songwriters. PRS is the performing rights society, they ensure that composers and songwriters get the money that they deserve from their work. I would need to join this society if I decided to become a songwriter as it means that if other people use my songs, I will be paid for it. I would have to pay one hundred pounds for a lifetime subscription, but this would be useful after I have written work as it means that my work will be looked after.  

We looked at a case study with Amy Winehouse and the Zutons. The Zutons wrote the original song, so they get paid when their song comes on, as does their record label. If Amy Winehouse covers their song, she gets paid for it as does her record label and the Zutons. The session musicians would also be paid. 

If I didn’t join the PRS, people would be able to take my music and I wouldn’t get any credit for it. This would lose me money. 

Tom Eagle is a representative from MU. He came to luton sixth form college to present a talk about the MU and the things that MU can do for us if we choose to become session musicians. MU is the musician’s union; they ensure that musicians are treated fairly. It costs eighteen pounds a month to be a part of the musician’s union however, they ensure that you are paid by your employers. They also cover up to two thousand pounds of insurance, provide solicitors and legal advice as well as advice on contracts. I would join the musician’s union as I would be a session musician as well as a songwriter so I would join both PRS and MU. This would benefit me as the advantages of joining the MU outweighs the disadvantages. 

We looked at a case study about the London 2012 Olympics. The musicians for this event were asked to work for free with LOCOG using exposure as payment. However, the musicians weren’t actually getting any exposure for this event as they were working as part of the London Olympics 2012. The other people hired to work for the event, such as the gardeners, caterers and dancers. As they were part of the musician’s union, the musician’s union negotiated with LOCOG. The result from this this negotiation was that the musicians were hired and payed. 

If I didn’t join the MU, I could lose lots of money and sign contracts which waive my rights to the music. This could lead to the loss of even more money.