PRS for Music fills us in on how nurseries across the country can now gain full access of the organisation’s repertoire of 14.7 million songs for a modest annual fee…
What is PRS for Music?
PRS for Music is a society of around 110,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers which make up its members. It represents the rights of said members (and those of roughly 150 affiliated societies in nearly 100 countries around the world) by licensing organisations to play, perform or make available music. It then distributes royalties to those members and societies fairly and efficiently.
PRS for Music has been providing music licences to businesses that play music for customers, employees or both for more than 100 years. The exciting bit is that not only does music benefit those businesses, it also plays a vital role in the creation of new music, since nearly 90% of all the money collected goes back to PRS for Music’s members (with the remainder put towards the organisation’s running costs). That’s nearly 210,000 businesses working with PRS for Music, helping to secure a future of great music.
Why music matters
Music in all organisations is really important, and one of the factors that defines a brand. Music in early years settings has an even more vital role, as it soundtracks kids’ play and can contribute greatly to their happiness and fun.
It’s not only the kids that benefit – staff and visitors to a nursery will all be impacted by the music played. It can make staff feel invigorated and happy, and visitors feel welcome and included. PRS for Music and fellow music licensing organisation PPL, recently examined the impact of music on businesses in various sectors in the MusicWorks research project, the results of which can be found here.
Where does the money go?
PRS for Music’s main role is to collect royalties on behalf of nearly 110,000 members behind the 14.7 million works in its repertoire. A number of different methods are used to track the music being played in different environments, including surveys carried out among businesses, tracking of radio play and set list information submitted by live venues. This reporting allows PRS for Music to distribute royalities as accurately and efficiently as possible; in 2014 PRS for Music processed some 250 billion items of music usage.
A new tariff for nurseries
PRS for Music is currently in the process of simplifying its 44 Public Performance Tariffs, with the nurseries tariff the first to benefit. Working with NDNA, PRS for Music has created a single flat-rate tariff of £40 a year that will allow nurseries all over the UK full use of PRS for Music’s 14.7 million-strong repertoire for play, while reducing the administrative burden that this previously involved.
You can purchase a licence today at the PRS for Music website; for more information, contact 0800 068 4828.
