Anonymous's picture

My high school's orchestra is packed with Halo fans, and we were hoping to perform some of the music in the spring. I've been arranging pieces from the soundtrack by ear into a suite on Finale for a band/orchestra/choir combination; however, my high school director is freaked about getting copyright permission from the Halo score publishers before performing any of my arrangement. I've seen a lot of fan transcribed sheet music posted here, as well as a video online of a high school orchestra performing one of the transcriptions from this site. Also, the other high school in our district performed an arrangement of Halo music by their director, without, as far as I'm concerned, copyright permission.
If we carried through with this, we would neither charge money for the performance nor copies of my arrangement of the score.
I was wondering if anyone could possibly give me some information on the significance of gaining copyright permission for such a situation, and if such measures are necessary, who we should contact and how we should go about doing it. My main concern if we should need to do this is how long their response might take, as we are hoping to perform this sometime in May.
Thank you, any information would be greatly appreciated!

Comments

Caboose Reborn's picture

I don't think it is nessecary to obtain copyrights permission as long as it is for a non-profit event. Additionally, the fact that is [i]only[/i] a transcription and not the actual music should enable you to hold a concert without obtaining permission. My own high school is planning on doing a Halo-themed marching show once a friend and I complete transcribing the three pieces. They do not believe copyright permission is nessecary, but are nonetheless playing it safe and asking for it.

Personally, I would suggest e-mailing the Bungie webmaster or, if possible, Martin O'Donnell or Michael Salvatori, since they composed/arranged/conducted the piece(s), for help. They will more than likely be willing to answer any of your questions.

Crash and Burn

Anonymous's picture

In reply to: Re: Halo music arrangement for high school orchestra/band/choir

That is helpful to know, thanks. Did you say your high school is getting copyright permission for a show as well? Do you know what is involved in the process and how long that process takes? (just incase my director does not change his mind and wants to keep with playing it safe)

PersianVivaldian's picture

In reply to: Re: Halo music arrangement for high school orchestra/band/choir

Thanks, that is helpful to know. Did you say your high school is obtaining permission for a show as well? Do you know what all is involved in that process and how long it takes? (just incase my director does not change his mind and goes along with playing it safe).

Caboose Reborn's picture

In reply to: Re: Halo music arrangement for high school orchestra/band/choir

I'm not sure of the process as of yet, and I have no idea what the director is doing since it's winter break, but I'll let you know ASAP. However, it could take a while before he contacts anyone because he said he wants to okay the transcriptions before he gets into any legal stuff.

Crash and Burn

Anonymous's picture

In reply to: Re: Halo music arrangement for high school orchestra/band/choir

look at jwpepper.com

buy one of those pieces and use it as a basis for arranging another part (like choral).

chuck vs chief's picture

You shouldnt have to like the guy below said as long as its non profit u should be fine i know our school requires a senior project in order to graduat im making a arange ment from all 3 halos for percussion and keyboards and i plane on calling it HALO: TRANSGRESSION with three movements 1.COMBAT EVOLVED 2.GREAT JOURNEY AND 3. FINISH THE FIGHT

Anonymous's picture

Hey at least your director is syked about it. And you have a band filled with Halo fans.

Some kids don't even know the James Bond or Mission Impossible OR YMCA theme songs. It's really quite pathetic. They don't know the Halo theme either. It drives me insane with....madness.

I play Halo, and I'm a nerd/geek. Well I am really. lol, we're taking over the world anyways. Sucks to be them.