Copyright. Copyright. Who owns the copyright? Following the decision to create a number of songs from David Rees seminal work, “How to Sharpen Pencils,” it fell upon me to secure copyright permission to set portions of the text. As an aside, I must say, seeking permission to set someone’s text has become much more pleasant with the advent of the internet and email. Even with these conveniences, however, one can run into the occasional snag…
So, my initial thought was to contact the publisher to inquire about who held the copyright to Mr. Rees’ volume, and to secure permission of same. After waiting about a month for a response from them, I decided to go with plan B. Again, the internet was my friend. Low and behold, Mr. Rees also has a pencil sharpening business where one can send him a pencil to be sharpened, and he returns it after applying his craft --- along with verification, certification and a bag of pencil shavings. Needless to say, his email contact was available, so I proceeded to write Mr. Rees himself. I noted that his publisher had never responded to my request, and was writing to inquire if he could at least put me in touch with the proper authority.
Well, as it turns out, the proper authority was Mr. Rees himself. (I am always somewhat flabbergasted when I correspond with famous people --- they seem so human! I’m not sure what I really expect, but it always surprises me for some reason.) Anyway, after a few email exchanges Mr. Rees agreed that I could use some of his book as the basis for some art songs. He requested that I write up an author/composer agreement that incorporated his (very reasonable) stipulations. I did so, and sent them back to him.
I did not hear from Mr. Rees for several months. I assumed that perhaps his legal counsel took a look at my contract and advised Mr. Rees to run in the other direction. However, as it turns out, Mr. Rees did email me after several months and informed me he had never received the contract and could I please send it (again)? And also to please include my address to which the signed contract could be returned. So, after five or six months from conception I finally had secured permission to set the songs. I’m not sure there is really a point to any of this (pun possibly intended), other than to share a bit of what goes on---even before pencil is put to staff paper.
Incidentally, if you do need your pencil sharpened you may visit David Rees at:
http://www.artisanalpencilsharpening.com/
I will likewise try to remember to let you know when a recording of my Pencil Songs become available. Stay tuned!
So, my initial thought was to contact the publisher to inquire about who held the copyright to Mr. Rees’ volume, and to secure permission of same. After waiting about a month for a response from them, I decided to go with plan B. Again, the internet was my friend. Low and behold, Mr. Rees also has a pencil sharpening business where one can send him a pencil to be sharpened, and he returns it after applying his craft --- along with verification, certification and a bag of pencil shavings. Needless to say, his email contact was available, so I proceeded to write Mr. Rees himself. I noted that his publisher had never responded to my request, and was writing to inquire if he could at least put me in touch with the proper authority.
Well, as it turns out, the proper authority was Mr. Rees himself. (I am always somewhat flabbergasted when I correspond with famous people --- they seem so human! I’m not sure what I really expect, but it always surprises me for some reason.) Anyway, after a few email exchanges Mr. Rees agreed that I could use some of his book as the basis for some art songs. He requested that I write up an author/composer agreement that incorporated his (very reasonable) stipulations. I did so, and sent them back to him.
I did not hear from Mr. Rees for several months. I assumed that perhaps his legal counsel took a look at my contract and advised Mr. Rees to run in the other direction. However, as it turns out, Mr. Rees did email me after several months and informed me he had never received the contract and could I please send it (again)? And also to please include my address to which the signed contract could be returned. So, after five or six months from conception I finally had secured permission to set the songs. I’m not sure there is really a point to any of this (pun possibly intended), other than to share a bit of what goes on---even before pencil is put to staff paper.
Incidentally, if you do need your pencil sharpened you may visit David Rees at:
http://www.artisanalpencilsharpening.com/
I will likewise try to remember to let you know when a recording of my Pencil Songs become available. Stay tuned!