You might not need to pay a performance fee if the work being performed is not published, and the composer of the piece of music is not a member of PRS for Music or any of its affiliated societies. However you would still need the permission of the copyright holder and they may charge a fee to give this.
This may be a particular relevance to groups performing compositions by a Music Director who does not compose music on a regular basis, and who may have composed a piece of music specifically for his or her choir “as a one off”. However, it is within the right of the composer to demand a direct performance royalty if their works are to be performed.
