User:Bobnotts/Help:Overview
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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, with a grand total of six scores available for download, CPDL is now 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:
- to make choral and vocal sheet music available for free,
- to create a website for public domain music that includes only legally downloadable scores,
- to allow to develop 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 free sheet music websites.
As well as scores, you can use CPDL to find texts and lyrics, translations, and information about composers - all in the public domain and free to use.
Who runs the site?
CPDL is managed by Rafael Ornes, but 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.
So if it's free for me, who pays for it?
CPDL is a not-for-profit project, and all work on the site is done by volunteers -- many of whom are ordinary users like yourself.
There are some costs involved in running the site and donations are very welcome. To make a contribution, click the Donations link in the navigation menu on the left.
How many scores are there?
At the last count, CPDL listed 8716 scores from some 400 listed contributors.
Can I make copies for my choir?
Yes. All the scores listed on CPDL are in the public domain, so in most cases there's no restriction on distributing, duplicating, or performing our music.
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 scores from CPDL?
All the scores listed on CPDL are in the public domain, so in most cases there's no restriction on distributing, duplicating, or performing our music. You can also use one of our scores to make another edition, changing the key, or making a transposition to suit your particular choir. Please post your new edition so others may make use of it.
- See Can I make copies for my choir? for more details.
