Frequently Asked Questions about the Anthology
Q: I am from Tennessee and have noticed some repetitive typos on your site and in some of the song and hymn texts—words like honour, cheque, centre, humour, etc. Don’t you have spell-check?
A. Our company, Musiklus, is based in Canada. Most of the words which Ron sets to music have origins in commonwealth countries. One of the subtle differences between commonwealth countries and the USA is that some word spellings vary. In most cases, we have opted to retain the Canadian / British / New Zealand / etc. spellings. Think of it as an easy way for folks in Tennessee to sing hymns in a foreign language, eh?
Q: The other licencing organizations we use clearly state that we may not photocopy choral music for use as anthems. Does the Musiklus Subscription Service have the same limitations?
A. No. The Musiklus system is designed to include the anthem versions which may be photocopied for choir members. This portion of our subscription service alone is worth the investment. How far does $100 per year go in purchasing anthems?
Q: I am part of a multi-point (yoked) pastoral charge which is comprised of three different congregations. Do I need to purchase a subscription for each one?
A: No. Multi-point or yoked pastoral charges require only one subscription which can be used by each of the congregations.
Q: $100 per year is very inexpensive for what is offered. Do you have any idea how the subscription costs will escalate in the future?
A: Musiklus guarantees in writing that subscribers will never see a Subscription Fee increase as long as the subscription does not lapse. We have no doubt that the Subscription Fee is bound to increase in coming years, but subscribers will always be guaranteed that their subscription entry amount will not increase as long as the subscription does not lapse.
Example: Churches that subscribe in 2006 at the $100 per year rate will continue to pay just $100 per year even if, by 2010 for instance, the Annual Subscription Fee has increased to $300.
Q: If I start my subscription in 2006 and decide to cancel it in, say, 2007, but then in 2008 discover what a misguided decision I made in 2007 and how much I miss the music and then want to restart the subscription but learn that the 2008 price is now $175 per year, can I still get back in at the original $100 per year rate because that is the rate I used to pay before my original subscription lapsed?
A: No.
Q: Is there tax to pay on our subscription?
A: Only in Canada, eh? Canadians are invoiced for the subscription amount plus GST.
Q: Am I able to keep using the 250 titles I downloaded with my subscription if I don’t renew it?
A: No… well, maybe. If a church decides not to renew a subscription, all music printed and/or copied from the site must be either destroyed or purchased through our buy-out system, as explained in our 5 easy terms.
Q: How does Musiklus know which music selections I’ve downloaded?
A: We have a tracking system in place. It reports which titles and versions have been requested for downloading by subscriber and date. This information provides the basis for us to pay the authors of the words a fair compensation.
It also allows us to advise you of your history of downloads should you decide not to renew your subscription so that you can make informed choices about which items you may wish to purchase to keep in your library and which you will choose to destroy.
Q: Is it okay if I share our access code with the Presbyterian Church in town? They really like Ron’s music, but they don’t have much money.
A: No. Although it’s a generous gesture from your church, it would be far too costly for us if we permitted that option. We’re doing all we can to make the music as accessible as possible but we do have to request that congregations do not share their access code beyond the church which holds the licence.
Q: How in the world (pun intended) do you enforce copyright by putting your music on the internet?
A: (from Ron) I believe that we, as a global community, must move toward a type of commerce which is vastly different from the model in which we are currently trapped. It is, indeed, very risky to expose my music and the words of my author partners in this way. However, I trust people to be honourable. If we cannot run a business in the church which is based on the inherent goodness of people, where else would we ever hope to do it?
Q: I’ve just discovered your site and would like to use one of your selections next week. Do you need to receive my subscription payment before I can access the system and download music?
A: No. As quickly as possible after you apply for a subscription, we will send you your access code via return email. This entire site is based upon a system of honour and trust. If you are interested in the words and music which we make available, we trust that you will pay us.
Q: My church doesn’t have a VISA or MasterCard number. How can we purchase a subscription?
A: While VISA and MasterCard payment options are certainly expedient, sometimes it is easier for churches to pay from invoices. We can email an invoice to your church and simply ask that the bill be paid as promptly as possible. You will not need to wait for us to receive payment to access the music.
Q: Do the subscriptions run for the calendar year? Is it better for me to wait until January to sign up?
A: Your subscription anniversary is one year from its starting date, regardless of when you begin. All subscriptions are valid for twelve months from their beginning or anniversary date. You will be notified via email 60 days prior to the expiration of your subscription. In order for a subscription not to lapse, payment must be received no later than the anniversary / expiration date.
Q: When Ron composes new hymns and songs in the future, will we have to pay extra to receive the new music?
A: No. Music is added to the site as it is created by Ron. Notification of new items is always listed in the “What’s New” column. Subscribers always have full access to all music whether it was written 30 years ago or yesterday.