2004 District Quartet Champions
Questions? Ask MAD!
Mid-Atlantic District
The largest district in the Barbershop Harmony Society

2024
Show Clearance Procedures,
ASCAP Procedures,
BMI/SESAC Licensing Procedures

Chris Buechler, Assistant Secretary - Clearances



Show Clearances are still obtained from the District and are handled by:
Chris Buechler
5700 Gladden Ct
Alexandria, VA 22303-1054
703-786-0990
buechler@alumni.princeton.edu

Please read all of the following instructions carefully.

ASCAP Fee Amount and Payment Have Been Changed for 2023.
See below in the ASCAP Section.


SHOW CLEARANCE & BMI/SESAC Licensing

  • An Application for a Show Clearance & BMI/SESAC License (NOT ASCAP) is REQUIRED for each Chapter performance for which an admission fee is charged.
  • Download the BMI Show Clearance & SESAC license form, fill out all of the blue highlighted areas by typing directly into those highlighted areas, print out ) three (3) copies, sign all copies and send all 3 copies to Chris Buechler at the address shown above.
  • The BMI/SESAC fees are determined from the Rate Chart at the bottom of the form. The BMI/SESAC fee is PER PERFORMANCE. For most Chapters this will be $50.00 per performance. PLEASE note the performance fee substantially changed from $28.00 to $50.00 in 2022.
  • Make out a check to BHS or SPEBSQSA,Inc. for the proper amount and include your Chapter Number on the check and mail it with the BMI forms to Chris Buechler.
  • Once the District Assistant Secretary-Clearances receives the completed and signed BMI/SESAC forms and the required check, he will make sure that the requested show date(s) does not conflict with any District or Society event. If there are no conflicts, the Asst. Sect. will sign it, return one copy to the Chapter, one copy retained for District records and the remaining copy will be forwarded with the check to Society Headquarters.
  • You must submit the Show Clearance Forms, PRIOR to conducting your show. It is requested and recommended that the submission of the BMI/SESAC forms and payment be completed at least two months prior to your anticipated show date.
  • Canceled Performances: BMI/SESAC & ASCAP fee payments are non-refundable. When your chapter does reschedule a previously approved but cancelled show you should submit three (3) copies of a new BMI/SESAC report for the new date(s) along with a copy of the original approved BMI/SESAC license, to the Assistant District Secretary - Clearances including a note to explain the changes. The chapter may not have to submit a new fee payment, but likely( will need a supplemental check to cover the now higher fee. If a chapter cancels a show (or shows) and they do not reschedule, they should notify the District Assistant Secretary who in turn should notify Harmony Hall and records will be updated. Unfortunately, as noted previously, there will be no refund.

ASCAP SECTION

    ASCAP Fees AND NEW PAYMENT PROCEDURES:
  • The annual minimum ASCAP fee for 2023 is $302.00. (It was $280.00 for 2022.)
  • Every Chapter is required to submit an ASCAP Form whether or not you have produced a show. Remember that you do not need to submit the form until later in the year - after your final show. An email report is appropriate if you produced no show in 2022.

    ASCAP REPORTING FORM

  • The ASCAP FEE will be paid AFTER your show(s) has(have) been performed. The fee is based on your gross ticket sales.
  • This form is to be completed to comply with an agreement between the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Gross ticket revenue (tickets only, not advertising revenue) is needed to determine the payment amount. Should you have additional shows during the year, you still file the ASCAP form at the end of the year paying particular attention to the amount of income your Chapter has made during ALL shows.
  • All U.S. Chapters must complete an annual ASCAP Reporting Form and submit that information (with corresponding payment, if applicable) at the end of each year. If you have not submitted your 2023 ASCAP Form and applicable payment, please be sure to do so as soon as possible.
  • Chapters do not send their ASCAP Reporting Forms to their District for processing. Instead, all ASCAP Forms and applicable payments should be sent directly to the Barbershop Harmony Society to the following address - with a COPY of the form to the District Assistant Secretary-Clearances:
    Barbershop Harmony Society
    c/o ASCAP Reporting Forms
    110 7th Avenue N
    Nashville, TN 37203
    Or by email to chapters@barbershop.org IF you did not produce a show; i.e., no fee due at all.
  • Please email only if no payment is applicable, including the District Assistant Secretary-Clearances as cc. It is expected Section A of the form will be the case for some chapters this year due to residual effect of Covid.
  • DO NOT SEND THE ASCAP FORM OR PAYMENT TO ASCAP!!
  • The 2022 ASCAP Reporting Form can be downloaded from the Society website. Go to the BHS website and find Document Center / Chapters & Membership / Chapter Business Resources / Show Clearances (ASCAP, BMI/SESAC, & SOCAN) / ASCAP Reporting Forms.
  • If your Chapter does not anticipate grossing more than $37,134.77 in ticket sales for all shows during the year of 2024, please fill out SECTION B and mail it with a check made out to BHS for the minimum annual amount -- $302.00.
  • If your Chapter grosses more than $32,461.24 in ticket sales for all shows during 2024, fill out SECTION C and submit with the total amount owed.
  • When you have completed the new ASCAP form, make out a check to BHS, include your Chapter number on the check, and mail to the "ASCAP Reporting Forms" address shown above.
  • It is a best practice for your Chapter Secretary to keep one copy of this form for your Chapter records.

If you have any questions concerning show conflicts and the District or Society events, see the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Master Planning Calendar.

Questions may be directed to:
Chris Buechler