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Frequently Asked Questions

Does my concert need to be licensed?

Concert performances taking place in venues licensed by the local performing right society need no further performing licence.

Selections of individual grand right works longer than 25 minutes (or of any duration featuring choreography, staging, narration, mime or sets) are not covered by a performing right society licence. These require a licence directly from the agent controlling those grand rights.

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Can I see a score before ordering?

Yes. We can supply scores on perusal for one month, free of charge within the UK. Outside the UK we may ask for a contribution to postage costs. On occasion digital perusals can be made available.

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How is the music despatched?

Within the UK our normal method of postage is a 24 hour service. Outside the UK deliveries will normally take longer, although the customer has a choice of airmail or courier.

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Can I perform an entire show in a concert setting?

It depends on the show in question. Please contact us for details of musicals and operettas that are available for concert performance.

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What kind of music can I hire from the Concert Library?

Our concert hire catalogue is expansive and unique, ranging from musical theatre and operetta through to small and large-scale classical works – symphonies, concertos, overtures, quartets and much more.

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Do you offer individual songs from all of your shows?

We can supply extracts from the vast majority of the shows in our catalogue.

Notable exceptions include West Side Story, Fame, Little Shop of Horrors, Ragtime, The Wild Party (Andrew Lippa version), Return To The Forbidden Planet, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon and any Disney show.)

Please note: extracts are only available for a concert performance.

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What constitutes a "concert performance"?

A concert performance is one involving no element of staging i.e. costumes, choreography or set.

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How many songs from any one show can I hire?

Due to the nature of performance rights, you may hire no more than FOUR songs from any one show; that is, you can hire four from (for example) South Pacific as well as four from Guys & Dolls, as well as four from The Merry Widow etc.

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If we want to perform one song from a show, do we have to hire the whole show?

No, you don’t. The Concert Library is able to supply songs from shows as individual extracts. So, if you hired three songs from Sweeney Todd you would receive three sets of parts.

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How do I place an order? What information is required?

We accept orders by email (to hirelibrary@jwmail.co.uk), fax or post. A telephone order is not sufficient.

We need the following information:
1. Name of group/society
2. Status of group (amateur/professional)
3. Contact details (including telephone number)
4. Works required
5. Number of Scores required
6. Number of Chorus parts required (if applicable)
7. String desks required
8. Date required
9. Date of performance
10. Performance venue
11. Delivery address
12. Invoice address

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How soon do I need to place my order?

We require ONE MONTH between the placing of the order and despatch of the materials. Any orders required within a smaller time frame will incur a late notice charge. Orders can be placed as far in advance as you wish.

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Are different versions of songs available?

A number of our show extracts are available in their original theatre orchestrations as well as specially arranged concert versions. These may differ in key, orchestral line-up, duration, and also vocal requirements.

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I have a large orchestra – can you supply extra string parts?

Our standard string sizes are either 9.8.7.6.5. or 8.7.6.5.4., but we can supply extra parts on request.

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Do you supply vocal and chorus materials as well as orchestral parts?

Yes, you can request vocal scores along with the orchestral parts. Where applicable, we supply 20 chorus parts as standard with the set. Any more than 20 will incur an additional fee.

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How soon does the music have to be returned after the performance?

We normally ask for music to be returned within two weeks of your final performance.

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How do I return the music?

We recommend that you use a trackable service such as Parcelforce or DHL. All materials should be returned to our Mortimer Street address.

When the materials are sent out you will receive a green address label with our address pre-printed; please attach this to your parcel. We also recommend enclosing some means of identifying your group or society, so that we can see who has returned the parcel. Returning your music to us is at your own expense.

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What happens if we lose material?

Depending on what exactly has been lost, a replacement fee may be charged. A full score costs more to replace than one clarinet part, for example.

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My singer wants to sing a particular song in G major, but it’s in A major in the show – can you help?

Sometimes we will have alternative keys readily available. Occasionally we will have the resources to transpose songs. It’s always worth asking, as we do have several versions of some songs in our library.

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Your hire fees aren’t on your website – how can I see them?

Please contact the concert library and we will endeavour to explain our fees structure to you and give you a hire fee quote if required.

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How do I pay?

Normally invoices are sent out with the materials. Our bank details are on the bottom of the invoice; you can pay by cheque, bank transfer or by credit card, although a small commission will be charged for card payments.

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School & family music

Explore our fantastic selection of music for young audiences, including Roald Dahl's Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs

A Night in Vienna

A brand new concert evening for Soprano, Tenor, chorus and orchestra that sparkles with the magic of Vienna and the world's most popular operetta melodies! Order now ahead of the 2013/14 season!

Mahler's Retuschen

The Mahler Retuschen works include Beethoven’s third, fifth, seventh and ninth symphonies and Schubert’s ninth symphony. Click here to find out more.