Help:What's it all about?: Difference between revisions
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==What is CPDL?== | |||
CPDL stands for "Choral Public Domain Library", an internet-based free sheet music website which specializes in choral music. | |||
Begun in December 1998, CPDL is one of the world's largest free sheet music sites. All its scores are in the public domain in the USA and can be freely downloaded. Most of these are public domain editions of music whose copyright has elapsed, but some scores are newly composed and offered for download by the composer. | |||
Begun in December 1998, CPDL is one of the world's largest free sheet music sites. All its scores are in the public domain and can be freely downloaded. Most of these are public domain editions of music whose copyright has elapsed, but some scores are newly composed and offered for download by the composer. | |||
The primary goals of CPDL are: | The primary goals of CPDL are: | ||
* To make vocal sheet music available for free. | * To make vocal sheet music available for free. | ||
* To create a website for public domain music that includes only legally ( | * To create a website for public domain music that includes only legally downloadable scores (in United States). | ||
* To allow development of a viable collaborative model for sheet music distribution. | * To allow development of a viable collaborative model for sheet music distribution. | ||
* To publish scores that are not otherwise commercially viable. | * To publish scores that are not otherwise commercially viable. | ||
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In August 2005, CPDL was ported to a wiki system. The following page details the transition: | In August 2005, CPDL was ported to a wiki system. The following page details the transition: | ||
*[[ChoralWiki:CPDL-ChoralWiki]] | *[[ChoralWiki:CPDL-ChoralWiki]] | ||
==How long has CPDL been around?== | |||
CPDL has been around since December 1998, when it was first created with a grand total of six scores available for download. It now boasts over 9 thousand individual scores. | |||
==Who runs the site?== | |||
Until August of 2008 CPDL was managed by Rafael Ornes, but is now in transition to a new management team, made of geographically distributed administrators, each with specific responsibilities. More info will follow soon in this space. | |||
Most of the scores and information pages have been contributed by ordinary users. If you spot a mistake or would like to contribute something, you can easily edit any page. In this way, the site is improved gradually by the contributions of many users. | |||
* [[Help:Contents#How can I contribute?|Find out how to contribute]] | |||
* [{{MediaWiki:Discussions-url}} Visit the CPDL forums] -- where users meet to discuss the site and its contents | |||
* [[ChoralWiki:Volunteers|View the volunteers page]] -- where current and ongoing projects are posted | |||
==Is it really free?== | |||
Yes, it's really free. CPDL is a not-for-profit project. All work on the site is done by volunteers, many of whom are ordinary users like yourself. Currently, CPDL is generously sponsored by [http://www.choralia.net Choralia], a site offering free choir training aids. A third of all donations to Choralia are passed on to CPDL.<!--There are some costs involved in running the site and donations are very welcome. To make a contribution, click the [[ChoralWiki:Site support|Donations]] link in the navigation menu on the left.--> | |||
==How many scores are there?== | |||
CPDL indexes over 9800 different works combining the efforts of over 450 contributors. Take a look at the [[Main Page]] to see newly added editions. | |||
==Can I make copies for my choir?== | |||
Yes! All the scores listed on CPDL are in the public domain in the USA, so in most cases there's no restriction on distributing, duplicating, or performing the music indexed here. | |||
There are a couple of exceptions: | |||
* In a few cases, the composer may request that you contact him or her if you decide to perform his or her work. | |||
* Some scores which are linked from CPDL, but which actually reside on other affiliated websites, may have further restrictions on use. Check the individual copyright statements on affiliated websites to find out what restrictions apply in each case. | |||
==What else can I do with CPDL editions?== | |||
You can also use one of our editions to make another edition, changing the key, or making a transposition to suit your particular choir. The only stipulation is that your new edition must be released under the same [[ChoralWiki:CPDL|CPDL License]]. Please post your new edition so others may make use of it. | |||
{{Help}} | {{Help}} | ||
Revision as of 21:53, 10 January 2009
What is CPDL?
CPDL stands for "Choral Public Domain Library", an internet-based free sheet music website which specializes in choral music.
Begun in December 1998, CPDL is one of the world's largest free sheet music sites. All its scores are in the public domain in the USA and can be freely downloaded. Most of these are public domain editions of music whose copyright has elapsed, but some scores are newly composed and offered for download by the composer.
The primary goals of CPDL are:
- To make vocal sheet music available for free.
- To create a website for public domain music that includes only legally downloadable scores (in United States).
- To allow development of a viable collaborative model for sheet music distribution.
- To publish scores that are not otherwise commercially viable.
- To create a website that catalogs a large number of other free sheet music websites.
- To encourage (through the CPDL Bulletin Boards) sharing between lovers of vocal music.
As well as scores, you can use CPDL to find texts and lyrics, translations, and information about composers - all available under a public domain license.
In August 2005, CPDL was ported to a wiki system. The following page details the transition:
How long has CPDL been around?
CPDL has been around since December 1998, when it was first created with a grand total of six scores available for download. It now boasts over 9 thousand individual scores.
Who runs the site?
Until August of 2008 CPDL was managed by Rafael Ornes, but is now in transition to a new management team, made of geographically distributed administrators, each with specific responsibilities. More info will follow soon in this space.
Most of the scores and information pages have been contributed by ordinary users. If you spot a mistake or would like to contribute something, you can easily edit any page. In this way, the site is improved gradually by the contributions of many users.
- Find out how to contribute
- Visit the CPDL forums -- where users meet to discuss the site and its contents
- View the volunteers page -- where current and ongoing projects are posted
Is it really free?
Yes, it's really free. CPDL is a not-for-profit project. All work on the site is done by volunteers, many of whom are ordinary users like yourself. Currently, CPDL is generously sponsored by Choralia, a site offering free choir training aids. A third of all donations to Choralia are passed on to CPDL.
How many scores are there?
CPDL indexes over 9800 different works combining the efforts of over 450 contributors. Take a look at the Main Page to see newly added editions.
Can I make copies for my choir?
Yes! All the scores listed on CPDL are in the public domain in the USA, so in most cases there's no restriction on distributing, duplicating, or performing the music indexed here.
There are a couple of exceptions:
- In a few cases, the composer may request that you contact him or her if you decide to perform his or her work.
- Some scores which are linked from CPDL, but which actually reside on other affiliated websites, may have further restrictions on use. Check the individual copyright statements on affiliated websites to find out what restrictions apply in each case.
What else can I do with CPDL editions?
You can also use one of our editions to make another edition, changing the key, or making a transposition to suit your particular choir. The only stipulation is that your new edition must be released under the same CPDL License. Please post your new edition so others may make use of it.
View main help index