You’ve composed the work, gathered the performers, and recorded the music — now what? If you’re aiming to share your classical music with the world, understanding how licensing works is a critical next step.

Here are a few key tips every classical composer, performer, and ensemble should keep in mind when navigating the world of music licensing in 2025.

Understanding Music Licensing Basics

Classical musicians often face a different set of challenges than mainstream artists when it comes to licensing. Whether you’re recording original compositions, new arrangements of public domain pieces, or performing works still under copyright, it’s important to understand who holds the rights — and what kind of permission is needed to share your work legally and widely.

There are three key types of music licenses to consider:

Mechanical Licenses: These cover the reproduction and distribution of your recordings, whether on physical formats like CDs or through digital downloads and streaming.

Synchronization (Sync) Licenses: Sync licenses are needed when pairing your music with visual content. These licenses are especially relevant in today’s digital media world, where projects like Juliana Soltis’ AMERICAN WOMAN album campaign — complete with documentary-style mini-films — showcase classical works on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and other platforms.

Public Performance Licenses: These allow your music to be played in public venues, on the radio, or through streaming services. Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR handle these licenses and ensure that you’re compensated when your works are publicly performed, whether you’re a composer or performer. Here’s an artist’s guide to music streaming for commercial use that explores how background music in places like cafes and retail stores can contribute to your performance royalties.

Licensing becomes especially important when your music is featured in multimedia or high-profile collaborations. For example, SYMPHONIC STRADIVARIUS with violinist Davide Alonga and the London Symphony Orchestra received behind-the-scenes interviews that engaged audiences with the music on a deeper level. These kinds of productions often involve sync and performance licenses to ensure all rights are properly cleared.

By familiarizing yourself with these licensing basics, you’ll be better equipped to navigate opportunities for your music — whether that’s releasing a new album, syncing your work with video, or sharing it with a global audience online.

A Closer Look at the PROs: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR

In the United States, the following PROs are the primary agencies that ensure composers and publishers get paid when their music is performed publicly:

  • ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
    One of the largest and oldest PROs, ASCAP represents hundreds of thousands of composers across all genres, including classical.

  • BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)
    Known for its wide reach and accessibility, BMI is a favorite among emerging and mid-career composers looking for broad performance tracking and royalty collection.

  • SESAC
    This invitation-only PRO works with a smaller, more curated roster of artists. SESAC is known for offering personalized attention and competitive royalty rates.

  • GMR (Global Music Rights)
    The newest of the major PROs, GMR caters to high-profile artists with major performance exposure.

As a composer or publisher, you only need to be affiliated with one PRO, and it’s free to join some of them. Once registered, the PRO will collect performance royalties on your behalf whenever your music is broadcast, streamed, or performed publicly.

Arrangements, Public Domain Works, and Copyright Considerations

Let’s say you’re recording an arrangement of a Bach prelude or a Mozart sonata. Because these works are in the public domain, you’re free to perform and record them without securing a composition license. However, your specific arrangement or interpretation might still qualify for copyright protection — meaning that you could then license it to others.

But proceed carefully. If you’re arranging a work that was recently composed (say, a modern orchestral piece or a 20th-century sonata), make sure you secure written permission from the copyright holder before recording or distributing your version.

Sync Licensing and Classical Music

Classical music is increasingly being used in film and advertising, including trailers, independent films, TV dramas, and commercials. That’s where sync licensing comes in.

If a filmmaker wants to use your track in their project, they’ll need to negotiate a sync license directly with you (or your publisher). If the work is represented by a PRO, the PRO will also collect any subsequent public performance royalties when the project airs.

Many classical artists are finding new audiences by licensing their work for sync — particularly when the production is looking for something cinematic, elegant, or emotionally rich.

Licensing Tip: Don’t Skip the Metadata

If your classical music is recorded and ready for streaming, don’t overlook the metadata (the behind-the-scenes data that identifies your recording).

When uploading to digital platforms, make sure your metadata includes:

  • Composer Name

  • Arranger (if applicable)

  • Publisher

  • Performers

  • Recording dates and locations

  •  ISRC codes (for tracking plays)

This ensures that royalties are properly tracked, and your music doesn’t go uncredited when played on streaming services or in playlists.

Licensing as a Revenue Stream

According to the IFPI’s 2024 Global Music Report, streaming revenues made up 67.3% of the total global music market, while physical formats like CDs and vinyl contributed 13.3%, and performance rights accounted for 9.5% of global recorded music income. These numbers highlight just how important it is to understand licensing and rights management if you want to turn your recordings into sustainable revenue.

While it may feel like a complicated landscape, licensing can become a valuable revenue stream — especially for classical composers with a vast catalog of recorded works.

By registering your music, understanding the rights you hold, and distributing your recordings through properly licensed platforms, you’re putting yourself in the best position to get paid whenever your music is heard.

It’s not just about avoiding legal headaches — it’s about unlocking real opportunities for career growth.

Final Thoughts

Licensing may not be the most glamorous part of your musical journey, but understanding it will open doors. Whether you’re working with a major orchestra or releasing a chamber work, your ability to navigate the legal and practical aspects of music licensing could be what ensures your music lives on — and earns income — long after the final note fades.

PARMA handles the monitoring, collection, and disbursement of our artists’ release royalties so you can continue to focus on what matters most: the music. 

Looking to record, release, and navigate the licensing of your next project? Explore our open Featured Recording Opportunities.