Last week I was plucking around on our piano and came up with a melody I thought could be used in a hymn or children's song. So I input the melody into MuseScore along with a verse of lyrics. Since then, I've added a couple of verses along with harmony to the original melody. MuseScore has been indispensable in my efforts - makes adding/changing notes/harmonies pretty easy.
The song has the same meter (I think that's what it's called) as "More Holiness Give Me" and kind of has SATB harmonies. The problem is that now the piece is beyond my meager piano skills. The only way I can play it properly is by using the computer software.
I feel like, as it is, it could work as a Primary song. I looked at the Church's website for information on submitting music for publication. The only info I found is at the link below. Seems that they have an annual contest for a few different categories (Hymns, Children's Songs, Relief Society, etc.) for which they give a small monetary prize ($100-300). The rules for the General Music Category include the following:
https://www.lds.org/music/submit-music?lang=eng
Maybe I'm a little too greedy, but it seems that $100-$300 is kind of not very much for a perpetual license for unlimited use. I realize it's a nonexclusive license, but what other avenues of revenue could a church music writer expect? Sheet music sales seem like they'd be pretty limited since the Church could include the song on its apps or in the Friend (or other medium). Royalties from performances seem like they'd be pretty slim, too. Any other way to monetize this awesome song I can't even play myself?
Anyone here submit music to the Church before (or know someone who has)? Anything I'm missing?
The song has the same meter (I think that's what it's called) as "More Holiness Give Me" and kind of has SATB harmonies. The problem is that now the piece is beyond my meager piano skills. The only way I can play it properly is by using the computer software.
I feel like, as it is, it could work as a Primary song. I looked at the Church's website for information on submitting music for publication. The only info I found is at the link below. Seems that they have an annual contest for a few different categories (Hymns, Children's Songs, Relief Society, etc.) for which they give a small monetary prize ($100-300). The rules for the General Music Category include the following:
Before the awards are announced, do not transfer ownership rights to the Church. When you accept an award, you grant the Church a nonexclusive, perpetual license for unlimited use.
Maybe I'm a little too greedy, but it seems that $100-$300 is kind of not very much for a perpetual license for unlimited use. I realize it's a nonexclusive license, but what other avenues of revenue could a church music writer expect? Sheet music sales seem like they'd be pretty limited since the Church could include the song on its apps or in the Friend (or other medium). Royalties from performances seem like they'd be pretty slim, too. Any other way to monetize this awesome song I can't even play myself?
Anyone here submit music to the Church before (or know someone who has)? Anything I'm missing?
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