Guidance

The evidence bank

A range of reports, resources and further reading that provide evidence of the wide-ranging benefits (to individuals and communities) of lesiure-time music. Useful for funding applications, campaigns and general advocacy.

6 tips for protecting your hearing – an aid for musicians and groups

Whether you are hard of hearing, looking to protect your hearing for the future or trying to ensure none of your group members come to harm, we have gathered top tips on how to get the best from your auricles.

How to pay performing rights (PRS) fees

This guidance will outline when you need to pay performing rights fees and how to pay them.

Tips for making music in prisons

Philip Emery, director of charity Changing Tunes and member of Beckenham Concert Band, gives a how-to guide for making music in prisons.

Should your group be a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO)?

The SCIO is a legal structure for registered charities in Scotland. It provides limited liability and separate legal identity to organisations which do not wish to incorporate fully. This guidance outlines the benefits and obligations of becoming or converting to an SCIO

Setting your group up as a charity

We can help advise music groups on establishing charitable status. There are advantages to gaining charitable status and also some consequences to be aware of that are covered in this guidance.

Marketing your events – a step-by-step guide

You’ve picked a date, booked a venue, agreed on a programme, and now it’s time to get cracking with ticket sales. This guidance will lead you through a set of steps to help you effectively market your events.  

Criminal record checks in Scotland

Criminal record checks in Scotland are managed by Disclosure Scotland and involve a different process to that in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Safeguarding: what are your responsibilities?

This overview guidance will help your music group understand its safeguarding responsibilities and how to put the right safeguards in place so that you can offer a safe environment for the children you work with and provide the right support for staff, volunteers and members.

Performing Rights (PRS) for dramatico-musical works

If you're performing dramatico-musical works (e.g. an opera, musical, revue, pantomime or ballets) then Grand Rights apply and additional permissions must be sought be required.