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<g class="gr_ gr_84 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="84" data-gr-id="84">Hello</g> all.  I am in need of some help.  I teach at a fairly rural high school in North Carolina, and honestly, <g class="gr_ gr_267 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="267" data-gr-id="267"><g class="gr_ gr_268 gr-alert gr_spell gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="268" data-gr-id="268">theatre</g></g> is not very high on the priority list of anyone other than myself and VERY few students.  We were supposed to produce High School Musical in the spring, but I could not cast it with the turnout I had.  Instead, I am thinking or putting together a musical revue in order to use the students that did show <g class="gr_ gr_501 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="501" data-gr-id="501">up,</g> and to showcase their work.  My question is this...and I know there has been a lot of talk about <g class="gr_ gr_647 gr-alert gr_spell gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="647" data-gr-id="647">copywright</g> on these pages, but I am very confused.  Do I need to pay royalties to each and every song we use?  Is this considered a "concert"?  How do I get the rights to these songs?  Is my school system's blanket ASCAP/BMI license allowing me to use these songs to perform in a revue?  Any help would be appreciated.  We are starting rehearsals very soon after the winter break.

Hi J. Michael,

Many of your questions are answered in past discussions on this topic; please have a look at the threads linked below.

The only aspect in your post that causes concern is the title "Writing A Musical Revue." 

As you read through the threads below, you'll see that selecting songs for a revue of your own creation are generally fine (in a school setting), but when you use the word 'writing' little red flags go off in my head. When using the word "writing' I get the impression that you want to create a story linking the songs or create a plot of some sort ---- those cross a line from small rights into grand rights territory and will involve (even in a school setting) clearances with music publishers. If you stick to the concert/revue non-dramatic use you should be fine.

Broadway Musical Review (October 2014)

Musical Revues for High School (April 2015)

Musical Cuttings (June 2015)