May I Have Your Permission, Please?

Though I'm still working hard and dilligently on the music for "Band Geeks," there's one aspect of it that needs my immediate attention: Permission. I can't just DO the arrangements; I have to get permission to do them.

The good news is that some of the publishers make it easy. They have nice little online forms to fill out. Others take a well-worded E-mail. But, unfortunately, not all permission comes free. I'm having to shell out a few bucks here and there, and this is without a planned production of any sort! But, I'm serious about the project and I'm willing to go the distance.

I'm still reluctant to mention the pieces I've gotten permission for, but one turns out to have been in the public domain, and one I got via a favor from my pal Karen Smith, who used to work for Henry Mancini. After a few E-mails, I find I've gotten permission to arrange one of his pieces for the show! I even got a photocopy of the original score in Mancini's own handwriting!

Karen rocks. I can't say that enough.

I'm still waiting on some of the permissions to come in. But the way I figure it, this music isn't universally known. The publishers should be glad it's being used for something new and interesting. Everyone can potentially benefit. Of course, if the show becomes a hit, then I'll revisit the permissions for recordings and performances. But for now, it's good to know that I can do the arrangements with no legal worries.