Why Be a Sacred Music Publisher? In this session of the Music For Ministry Podcast,  I chat with David E. Smith who breaks down the day-to-day of what sacred music publishing is all about.  Is it a ministry, a business, an art or a passion? David  E. Smith is the founder and owner of David E. Smith Publications offering a huge selection of sacred instrumental music for over 30 years. In this session, David E. Smith and I chat about: What  motivated you to become a sacred music publisher? * Music lessons at an early age – trumpet * Lack of sacred music repertoire for various  instruments. Explain how you, as a sacred music publisher, have become a distributor for many companies. * Brand names besides David E. Smith Publication: Psalm 150 Publications, Majestic  Music Publications, River Song Productions * A three pronged entity: * Sacred music publisher – a catalog of over 6000 items * Distributor for Rich Heffler Music, Stockton Music Services, Light of the World Music and Ken Bauer Productions  * Dealer for 20 or more companies How do you make your sacred instrumental  music available to the public? * Working through the major music dealerships * Conferences at exhibits * Mail order * Three websites * Advertising Give us an idea of how your submission process works * Over 100 writers * Mission – to give opportunities to people who have ability, and want to serve the Lord with their music a source to get published * Guidelines: Counterpoint * The review process takes some time for consideration *  It’s not just the quality of the music but how that music fits into our catalog What governs the price of instrumental sheet music? * The price for music has not changed much over the years * The ability of downloading music has affected the cost some * Equipment costs for reproducing music * Production materials continue to increase Is this a “get rich quick” type of business? * Church ministries tend to be more conservative with their music purchases How does the writer or arranger benefit from publishing through you? * Exposure * Field testing * Production * Advertising * Pricing * Research and copyrights * Royalties * Leveling – we publish for every instrument, every grade level (1-6) Copyright Infringement  issues * Do copyright  laws apply when doing the Lord’s work? * Real property vs. Intellectual property * Copyright laws were placed in our Constitution to protect the work of artists so they would perpetuate more things * Understanding Fair use of a copyright – library and schools – limited * Copyrights in other counties – Members of the Burn Convention Types of licenses used in the publishing business * Royalty contracts – writers * Mechanical licenses – to make a CD * Synchronization licenses –  transmitted over radio or television * Digital licenses * Permissions granted often Where would one go to download a music product? * Sheet Music Plus * JW Pepper * Sacredsheetmusic.com Tells about what you call your axiom of music publishing.