FAQs

What is the Recording Inclusivity Initiative (RII)?

RII is a national initiative launched by All Classical Radio, designed to amplify artistic voices that deserve to be heard. Through RII, classical music by women, composers of color, and others underrepresented or historically excluded in the classical music radio industry is being recorded, released, and shared with public radio stations in the RII database for free download. RII is empowering classical radio stations across the United States to get involved, and broadcast these never-before-heard high quality recordings. Learn more at https://recordinginclusivity.allclassical.org/

How does All Classical Radio define “underrepresented?”

All Classical Radio defines historically marginalized communities as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Women, LGBTQ+ identifying, people living with disabilities, or communities having experienced other severely limiting institutionalized inequities.

As a radio station, how can I get involved?

Radio stations are encouraged to launch their own RIIs, to make additional new recordings, and to upload and share them through this database. All Classical Radio has provided a free RII How-to Kit which includes templates for grant and funding solicitations, marketing materials including graphic design assets, and legal assets. Register to access the How-to Kit here: https://recordinginclusivity.allclassical.org/how-to-kit/ Stations are further encouraged to search the available recordings in the RII database and incorporate them into their daily playlists.

My radio station has existing high quality recordings that might fit the criteria for the Recording Inclusivity Initiative. Can those be shared via the database?

Yes! If you have an existing recording that fits the RII criteria, and you would like All Classical Radio to consider adding it to the database, please contact us at RII@allclassical.org.

I’m a radio station uploading music to the database; what should I include in the “Additional Information” section?

We recommend adding 3 – 5 sentences about the composer and the work itself. This can include any information that you believe would be helpful to other radio stations and announcers when speaking about the piece, including but not limited to: phonetic pronunciation, how the composer identifies themselves, biographical details for the composer, lyricist, and/or musicians, facts about the recording process, background about the composition such as composer inspiration, etc. Include the information that you would want to say (or hear) when playing this work on the radio.

What format should the musical works be when added to the database?

The audio files can be any high quality files – WAV, M4A, AAC, or high-quality MP3. We request that the audio files for each musical work then be put in a zip file for uploading.

What is the fee to access the RII database or the How-to Kit?

There is no fee or cost to access either.

What is included in the database?

The main function of the database is as an online repository for RII recordings. Through this database, radio stations can input their RII recordings, and can access and download other stations’ RII recordings. For each recording entered and available in the database, you will find information about the musical work and the composer, lyricist (if applicable), and performer(s). We recommend including as much information about the composers, musicians, recording process, etc. as possible when uploading music to the RII database.

Who can access the database?

Database access will be granted to authorized representatives of public radio stations who intend to use the recorded musical works for air play.

Do I have to make or contribute a recording in order to access the database?

No. If you are a public radio station looking to access music to play on your airwaves, you are not required to create your own RII, or to contribute recordings in any other way. The works in this database are intended to be shared over the airwaves nationally.

If you have any additional questions about the Recording Inclusivity Initiative and the RII database, please get in touch by emailing rii@alllclassical.org. We’re here to help.

[Last updated: June 2, 2023]

PLEASE READ THIS LICENSE CAREFULLY BEFORE USING OR UPLOADING MATERIAL TO THIS SITE. BY ACCESSING OR USING THIS SITE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THIS LICENSE AND THE TERMS OF USE AVAILABLE HERE.

This License Agreement (“License”) is between the Public Broadcasting Entity whose authorized user clicks or presses on “I agree” in connection with accessing or using RII Database Content (each an “RII Database User”) and All Classical Public Media, Inc. (“ACPM”).

Definitions.
- RII Database Content. As used herein, RII Database Content shall mean: (i) composer and lyricist information, including the composer’s name, lyricist’s name, and any accompanying biographical material (“Composer Information”); (ii) musical work information, including accompanying descriptions of the musical work (“Musical Work Information”); (iii); artist information, including the artist’s name and any accompanying biographical material (“Artist Information”); (iv) sound recording information, including any accompanying sound recording information and metadata (“Sound Recording Information”); (v) suggested daypart information (“Daypart Information”); (vi) sound recording digital phonorecord files (each an “RII Recording”); and (vii) the musical work as embodied in the RII Recording (“each an “RII Composition”). Composer Information, Musical Work Information, Artist Information, Sound Recording Information, and Daypart Information are collectively referred to herein as “RII Database Information.”
- Public Broadcasting Entity. As used herein, a Public Broadcasting Entity shall mean a “public broadcasting entity” as defined in 17 U.S.C. section 118(f) and/or 47 U.S.C. section 397(11), including, without limitation, a licensed station that receives, or is eligible to receive, general operational support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (“CPB”) and is otherwise subject to those certain agreements currently in effect and executed by and between CPB and ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, The Harry Fox Agency, LLC, and SoundExchange, Inc. (collectively, the “CPB License Agreements”).
- Promotional Purposes. As used herein, Promotional Purposes shall mean use of RII Database Content or any portion thereof solely in connection with: (i) a Public Broadcasting Entity’s participation in the Recording Inclusivity Initiative as evidenced by registration as a User of the Site; (ii) compliance with the terms of the CPB License Agreements; and (iii) reproduction and use of RII Recordings in furtherance of the preceding purposes and as non-royalty bearing “promotional gratis copies,” as such term is commonly understood in the recording industry.
Grant of License from ACPM. Subject to the terms, conditions and limitations hereof (including, without limitation, the terms, conditions, and limitations set forth in the Terms of Use), ACPM agrees to and hereby grants RII Database User, and RII Database User hereby accepts, a personal, nontransferable, nonexclusive, non-sublicensable, revocable, limited license to reproduce and use the RII Database Content in the United States and solely for Promotional Purposes.
Grant of License to ACPM. Subject to the terms, conditions and limitations hereof (including, without limitation, the terms, conditions, and limitations set forth in the Terms of Use), RII Database User agrees to and hereby grants ACPM, and ACPM hereby accepts, a nontransferable, nonexclusive, irrevocable, and perpetual right throughout the United States to: (i) reproduce, distribute, transmit, display, and perform the RII Database Information; (ii) reproduce, distribute, transmit, and use each RII Recording uploaded to the Site in connection with the Promotional Purposes; and (iii) reproduce, distribute, transmit, and use each RII Composition uploaded to the Site in connection with the Promotional Purposes. If any use of RII Database Content is authorized under another license, such as the CPB License Agreements, such use for that sole purpose shall be deemed authorized by that license instead of this License. In all events, ACPM shall have no liability by reason of any such use.
Negation of Rights Not Licensed. Any rights that are not expressly granted by this License shall not be implied; the license granted pursuant to this License authorizes or permits only the use of the RII Database Content that is expressly provided herein.
Duration of License. This License shall commence on the date when an RII Database User accepts the terms hereof by clicking on “I agree” and shall terminate on the earlier of: (i) the discontinuance and removal of the Site; and (ii) the expiration of copyright in the RII Database Content.
RII Database User Warranties.
- Authority. RII Database User represents and warrants that it is in good standing with all applicable regulations and licenses as may be required of a Public Broadcasting Entity in connection with the production, distribution, or dissemination of educational and cultural radio programs.
- Ownership. RII Database User represents and warrants that: (i) it is the owner of the entirety of the rights in any RII Database Content that it contributes to the Site; or (ii) it has the full authorization and authority to enter into this License and grant the licenses herein.
- No Grant of Other Rights. No other rights, permission or consent is necessary for the RII Database User to use the RII Database Content in accordance with the license granted herein nor are any fees, royalties, or, a use payment of any kind due to third parties in connection with the exercise of the licenses granted herein.
- Indemnification. RII Database User shall indemnify and hold ACPM or its directors, officers, employees and agents harmless from any claim, loss, liability, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of any claim, lawsuit or demand which is inconsistent with any of the warranties hereunder.
Assignment. The license granted to RII Database User is personal and shall not be sublicensed, assigned, or otherwise transferred without the prior written consent of ACPM.
Governing Law. This License shall be governed pursuant to the laws of the state of Oregon. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this License will be submitted to a court of competent jurisdiction in Portland, Oregon, and you hereby consent to the jurisdiction of any such court.