Cheer

VPA CHEERLEADING GUIDELINES 2022-2023

The primary function of high school cheerleading is to support athletic teams, promote school spirit, and encourage and display good sportsmanship. These VPA guidelines are to be the official guidelines followed.

RULES

All safety rules in Vermont follow the National Federation 2023-2023 Spirit Rules Book. AACCA is now USA Cheer, the national governing body for cheerleading in the United States. USA Cheer and the NFHS have agreed to publish one set of rules for high school cheerleading under the NFHS Rule Book. All coaches should obtain a copy of the National Federation 2023-2023 Spirit Rules Book from their athletic director.

All rules apply for the regular season and competition. These rules apply to cheer programs in grades 5 through 12 and to non-school-sponsored youth programs choosing to participate in VPA-sanctioned events.

COACHES CERTIFICATION

Like all other sports, high school cheerleading coaches must be certified in an approved coaching education program, which includes either the NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching course or the ACEP Coaching Principal’s course.

• In addition, coaches must complete all of the following:
• USA Cheer Safety and Risk Management Course- Coaches must complete the to be a certified coach in Vermont and for squads to be allowed to perform partner stunts, pyramids and gymnastics at games, public appearances, basketball tournaments or cheerleading competitions. Those currently certified by AACCA can upload a copy of the AACCA certification after applying for the USA Cheer certification. View the NFHS link for the USA Cheer Safety and Risk Management Course, or go to the USA Cheer website.
• An approved sports safety training program (i.e. – the NFHS Sports First Aid or American Red Cross Sports Safety or ACEP Sports First Aid)
• A concussion Education/Management course.
• Additional training in CPR (compression only), AEDs, and Emergency Action Plans.
• New in 21-22, coaches must complete a course on Implicit Bias at nfhslearn.com.

For more information, contact your athletic director.

All coaches of athletes in grades 5-12 (competition and game-only teams) must attend the National Federation Spirit Rules Review. The NFHS Rules Review is also required for non-school sponsored youth teams that choose to compete in VPA sanctioned events and is highly recommended for all scholastic cheerleading teams in Vermont.

• Save the date! The Vermont Cheerleading Coaches Association Clinic will be held at Mill River High School on Saturday, December 10. More information to come.
• The NFHS Spirit Rules Review will be held at Mill River High School Saturday, December 10.
• Coaches are highly encouraged to view virtual Judges’ Training sessions on Youtube. These will be posted as they occur throughout the season.

GAMES AND COMPETITION

• Season length shall be defined in the VPA policies for that particular season. Practices begin according to the VPA rules for the season. Cheerleading for the winter season begins on November 28, 2022.
• Separate tryouts must be held for each sport each season. High school cheerleading teams must be VPA-eligible students in grades 9-12.
• The size of the basketball cheerleading squad during the season will not exceed 20 on the floor. The Athletic Director of the host school will determine the allowable number of cheerleaders on the sidelines, up to 20 in number, based on the space around the gym floor.
  
• Teams may cheer up to 20 games during the winter season (middle school squads should review VPA middle school guidelines). These limits do not include VPA tournaments or championship games. Principal’s and A.D.’s discretion should be used.
• Due to the nature of the sport, cheerleading is exempt from the VPA guideline that limits participation to two events per week, Monday through Friday. The combination of boys’ and girls’ basketball could lead to more than two home games in some weeks and other weeks where there are no home games. Coaches are encouraged to be prudent about how many weeknights athletes are away from home.
• During the winter cheerleading season, no school shall sponsor a team to participate in competitions or clinics that are not sanctioned by the VPA.
• Teams may compete in up to 4 VPA-sanctioned cheerleading competitions per season. If a team plans to compete in the VPA State Cheerleading Championships, they must participate in at least one competition prior to the state championships. If a team intends to compete in all 4 allowable events in the winter season, one of them must be the VPA State Cheerleading Championships. Teams that earn an invitation will also be permitted to compete in the New England Championships.

VPA Sanctioned Competitions for high school teams:

• October 29, 2022- Elite Gems Cheer Challenge @ South Burlington High School- Youth, Middle School, and JV only- Tanya Lovely (tlovely88@yahoo.com)
• January 22, 2023 (Sunday) – Elite Gems Cheer Invitational- More information to come- Tanya Lovely (tlovely88@yahoo.com)
• January 28, 2023 – CVCC – Rutland Middle School Keefe Gymnasium– Varsity teams and all levels (cara_gauvin@hotmail.com)
• February 4, 2023- NVAC @ noon- South Burlington High School- All levels – Lynn Kynoch lkynoch@sbschools.net, starts at 1:00 PM
• February 11, 2023 – VCCA- Mill River Union High School- All levels- Cara Gauvin (cara_gauvin@hotmail.com)
• February 18, 2023- Follow this link for information about the VT State Championship- Vergennes Union High School- Varsity only- TBA
• March 19, 2023- New England Cheerleading Championship- site TBA- Qualifying teams only- TBA

Coach Responsibilities:

• Coaches must supervise their team at both home and away athletic events and should be in attendance at all practices. If someone else substitutes who is not certified, partner stunts, pyramids or gymnastics will not be allowed.
• Cheerleading coaches are expected to inform their squad to act respectfully during any half-time activities being performed by the other squad.
• Cheerleading coaches should discuss the length of pre-game music being played to allow ample time for both squads to perform their pre-game cheers.
• Cheerleading coaches should design cheers that encourage and promote positive crowd response and participation.
• Cheerleading coaches must determine if the level of difficulty of partner stunts/pyramids/gymnastics is within the ability of the present squad to perform. As each squad changes, so will the material to be performed.

Host School Responsibilities:

• An administrator, or designee – not a coach – from each school should be present during all athletic events and should announce before each game that fans are expected to display appropriate behavior.
• Each host school should provide the visiting team and cheerleaders a place to change that is locked or is off limits to the general public – such as a separate classroom.
• Administrators and cheerleading coaches should approve all signs that are hung or held at athletic contests and should see to it that any objectionable signs are removed.

Participant Conduct:

• Cheerleading coaches should ensure that the squads abide by the rules of the host school while present at that school.
• Visiting coaches are to advise the host school in advance if they will be participating in the game and whether they will need changing facilities.
  The visiting cheerleaders at basketball games are to perform the cheer between the 1st and 2nd quarters. The home team will cheer between the 3rd and 4th quarters. The home team has the first-time out cheer. Teams will rotate time-out cheers thereafter.
• Band directors and/or pep bands should work together with the cheerleading squads rather than compete with each other when the cheerleaders are doing their floor cheers.
• Cheerleaders shall not perform taunting cheers.
• Cheerleaders and fans should not compete with the other cheerleaders when they perform their floor cheers.
• Cheerleaders are not to yell when the opposing team is taking foul shot attempts.
• If stunts and pyramids are to be used, proper training, spotters, etc. shall be used. NFHS Spirit Rules are to be followed.
• Per NFHS rules, no jewelry is allowed; this includes all body piercing jewelry. Religious or medical medallions must be taped to the body. Per VPA rules, nylon stockings must not be worn. Participants on a squad shall only wear athletic-type shoes that are safe and appropriate for all routines. Please note: Uniform tops and bottoms must meet; no bare midriff.
• If any squad violates the regulations put forth in these guidelines and it is documented by a coach, A.D., or Principal and received at the VPA office, the VPA policies will be in effect.

BASKETBALL (BOYS & GIRLS) TOURNAMENT SEASON CHEERLEADING RULE

At semifinal and final basketball games, 20 cheerleaders, and their coaches, will be admitted at the team entrance for the session in which the team is scheduled to play. These seats will be in the special cheerleading section. Not more than 20 cheerleaders, 12 at Barre, will be on the sidelines at any time. Between quarters and during time-outs cheerleaders will be limited to one cheer per school. In the event that a cheer has not been completed when the buzzer sounds, the cheerleaders are to leave the floor immediately. In each tournament game, one school is designated as the visiting team, and the other as the home team. Cheerleaders will follow the pattern set down in the regular season guidelines for cheering at a game. Confetti and streamers must not be thrown and the cheerleaders should discourage their fans from using such things.

Cheerleading activity may take place during half-time on the playing court during semifinal and final games only by pre-arrangement with the VPA tournament director. Half-time cheers will be allowed at the play-down games and quarterfinals since these games are usually played at the schools instead of Barre or UVM as is the case for the semifinals and finals. Keep cheers as brief as possible. In the event of a school using more time for cheerleading than is practical, the tournament observers shall instruct the cheerleading squad to shorten its cheers. The coach must sit with the cheerleading team at all times. If a cheerleading team’s coach is not USA Cheer Safety certified, they may NOT stunt at basketball tournament games.

VERMONT STATE CHEERLEADING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The divisional alignment for the cheerleading state championships will be determined by the size of the cheerleading squad. There will be two divisions and they are to be divided as equally as possible in terms of the number of teams. The size of the squad is to be determined by the number of “starters” listed on the application that will be submitted by January 13, 2023. The number of “alternates” (strength of program) listed on the application will be used as the tiebreaker. Schools who wish to petition up to Division I automatically, will be allowed to do so on the application.

General Competition Information:

• All high school varsity winter cheerleading squads are eligible to compete.
• To participate in the state championships, a school must complete the online competition application no later than Saturday, January 14, 2023.
• The entry fee for the 2023 state championships is $125 per team. Checks should be made payable to VPA and should be sent to the VPA Office by Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
• All competition information will be emailed to competing coaches by Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Information will be emailed to athletic directors and coaches who have applied per the directions in this document. For further information, contact the meet director Rommy Fuller at fullerrommy@gmail.com or 802-342-3393.
• State Championships – Saturday, February 18, 2023 – Vergennes Union High School, Vergennes, VT. The cheerleading competition is scheduled to begin at noon. The tentative plan is that the earliest arrival time for teams will be approximately 10:00 AM. Doors open for spectators one hour prior, at 11:00 AM. Follow this link for specific information- (TBA).
• Detailed competition information will be emailed to competing coaches and athletic directors by Tuesday, January 31, 2023. This information will include a specific arrival time for each team based on their order of appearance.
• Admission for finals: $10.00 for Adults; $5.00 for Students. Digital tickets may be purchased online from the VPA website. No complimentary tickets will be issued to participating schools. However, per VPA policy, principals, athletic directors, and bus drivers are admitted to the event at no charge.
• The event will be live-streamed by the NFHS Network.
• A VPA tournament representative will be present.
• An administrative representative (AD/Principal) for each competing school must be present for the entire competition, from prior to the announcements through the awards ceremony.
• The winner and runner-up team in each division at the state meet will receive a plaque, and each member of these teams will receive a medal from the VPA. The third place team in each division at the state meet will receive a plaque from the Vermont Cheerleading Coaches Association.
• All final results will be emailed to the coaches of the participating schools within a week of the event.
• No protest of the final order of finish will be permitted. The decision of the competition judges, through their points awarded, will be final.

Competition Requirements and Procedures:

• Each squad will perform a routine of up to 3 minutes in length which will include cheer and dance.
• The state championships will be held on a 42’ by 42’ athletic mat, as will all events prior to states, and coaches should choreograph their routines accordingly.
• Pompons, signs and megaphones are allowed to be used in the routine.
• All teams MUST have their competition routine reviewed by technical judges prior to the state cheerleading championships, as no preliminary rules review will take place that day. Teams can have their routines reviewed at the CVCC Competition, the VCCA Competition, or the NVAC Competition (one of which is required per rule 7 in the Games and Competition section above).
• Technical judges will not see routines at the state championships prior to the team’s competition performance.
• For the warm-up, each team will be given 5 minutes to stretch on a mat, followed by 5 minutes to warm-up tumbling on a second mat, and followed by a 5-minute period on a full sized mat. Additionally, teams will have five minutes for travel time and 5 minutes to rest before going out to the main competition mat. Teams will then move directly to the competition floor. There is only one round of warm-ups.
• The order of appearance in each division will be based on each team’s highest score from any of the in-state competitions prior to states.
• The state champions will be determined by open divisional competition.
• Ties for the state champion or runner-up will be broken by summing the technical scores. These categories include: Partner Stunts, Pyramids, Motions, Jumps, Gymnastics, and Dance. If a tie still exists, co-champions and/or co-runners-up will be named.
• There will be one round of competition.

Judging:

• Judges will be certified judges. The judging coordinator will recommend judges to the VPA cheerleading committee for final approval.
• A maximum of four judges will be assigned to each division in the competition. No high or low score will be thrown out.
• Judges will be sent a copy of the score sheet and other appropriate material in advance so they will be prepared to judge.
• Judges will be required to make comments on their score sheets to aid coaches in knowing what they need to work on.
• The VPA Cheerleading Committee will choose a minimum of one safety certified, nonaligned person for rules review for each division. This person will resolve any problems that arise. He/she will also watch that teams follow the pyramid/partner stunt and safety regulations. Technical judges, along with competition judges, may recommend point deductions.
• For information on becoming a certified cheerleading judge, please contact the judging coordinator, Rommy Fuller, at rommyfuller@gmail.com or 802-342-3393. The training date for the 2023 competition season will take place December 10, 2023. Contact TBA directly for judging certification information.

Participants:

• The number of participants allowed on the floor is limited to the number of athletes listed as “starters” on the team’s application.
• During the competition, substitutes can be made for injury or emergency only.
• In the event of injury during the competition, a routine may be stopped and restarted from the beginning.
• During the competition, no mascots are allowed on the floor.

Deductions:

• For exceeding the time limit allowed, one point per second over the limit will be deducted.
• A penalty of 25 points will be issued to teams not following the NFHS Spirit Rules.
• A penalty of 25 points will be issued to teams using props other than pompons, signs, megaphones.
• A penalty of 25 points will be issued for each of the following: Illegal uniforms, not wearing proper shoes, chewing gum, wearing jewelry, and wearing nylon stockings. (Jewelry includes all body piercing jewelry.)

Music:

• All music being used by cheerleading teams must meet music copyright compliance. All copyright permissions must be properly and completely obtained by the individual or group that is responsible for creating the routine music for a team. All recordings mixed together in cheer routines should be properly licensed and written confirmation of such licenses should be provided to the meet director by January 14, 2023. Attached to the guide is the VPA Cheerleading Championship music copyright compliance form.
• In an effort to ease competition day stress, avoid mishaps, ensure proper sound quality, and to prepare a sequence based on order of appearance ahead of time, coaches are required to send competition music to DJ Vince Allo prior to the state competition. Use the following guidelines:
• Send music to Vince Allo by email to djvince1@gmail.com before Tuesday, February 15, 2023, but no later than midnight on that date.
• When sending music, please include the name of your school and division you are competing in.
• Record your music in MP3 format. ITunes will let you make an MP3 copy of any track in your library.
• Try to have your music consist of ONE track. If it is one track, the coach or designee will simply give the DJ a “thumbs up” when it’s time to begin.
• If your music is in TWO tracks or needs to be PAUSED, a coach or designee will be required to stand near the DJ to give him proper cues during the routine. Make sure Track 1 and Track 2 are CLEARLY marked.
• The firm deadline for sending the MP3 file of your music is Tuesday, February 11 at midnight. Changes beyond this date are prohibited.
• The DJ will send a reply within 24 hours to confirm receipt of your file.
• The DJ will notify Meet Director Rommy Fuller, fullerrommy@gmail.com, of registered teams who have not met this requirement by midnight on February 15, 2023. Phone: 802-342-3393
• If mechanical difficulties arise during the routine, the person running the music will stop the music and allow the team to start over without any points or penalties resulting.

NEW ENGLAND CHEERLEADING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The New England Cheerleading Championships are run by the Council of New England Secondary School Principals’ Associations. Website= http://cnesspa.ezstream.com. All information about the 2023 championships will be posted in the “Spirit” section of the website.
The 2023 New England Championships will be held at TBA, 2023.

Teams must score 150 or higher out of 220 at the Vermont State Championships to earn an invitation to the New England Championships. If a team should score lower than 150 at states, but did score 150 or higher at either the NVAC, VCCA or the CVCC, they can appeal to the VPA to be invited to New England’s (as space allows). Please email meet director Rommy Fuller at fullerrommy@gmail.com by Monday, February 21 to appeal.
Vermont is allowed to send up to 3 teams in the co-ed division. Co-ed is defined as one or more males on the team. Vermont is also allowed to invite up to 2 teams in each of the 4 all-girl divisions. Please note that for the Vermont State Championships, teams are sorted into 2 divisions, not 4. Contact TBA to find out your division for the New England championship.

Teams will be assigned to divisions based on where they place in the Vermont State Championships. The state champions in each of the two divisions will be placed first. If space allows, then the runner up in each division would be placed. The remaining teams will be sorted in order according to score and any other team with a score of 150 or higher will be placed, as space allows. Please contact Rommy Fuller with questions 802-342-3393.

COMPETITION CALENDAR

Except for the VPA State Championship and the New England Championship, youth and middle school teams are invited to participate in VPA sanctioned competitions. Youth and middle school coaches must hold AACCA Certification and attend the NFHS Rules Review to qualify for competition.

• October 29, 2022- Elite Gems Cheer Challenge @ South Burlington High School- Youth, Middle School, and JV only- Tanya Lovely (tlovely88@yahoo.com)
• January 21, 2023 – Elite Gems Cheer Invitational- More information to come- Tanya Lovely (tlovely88@yahoo.com)
• January 28, 2023 – CVCC – Rutland Middle School Keefe Gymnasium– Varsity teams and all levels (cara_gauvin@hotmail.com)
• February 4, 2023- NVAC @ 1:00- South Burlington High School- All levels – Lynn Kynoch lkynoch@sbschools.net
• February 11, 2023 – VCCA- Mill River Union High School- All levels- Cara Gauvin
• February 18, 2023- Follow this link for information about the VT State Championship- Vergennes Union High School- Varsity only- TBA
• March 19, 2023- New England Cheerleading Championship- site TBA- Qualifying teams only- TBA

Technical judges will view varsity routines at the following VPA sanctioned competitions prior to the state championship.

CATEGORY JUDGING

JUDGE 1 & 2
* PYRAMIDS – DIFFICULTY: 10
PYRAMIDS – TECHNIQUE: 5
TRANSITIONS/FLOW OF ROUTINE: 5
OVERALL IMPRESSION: 5

JUDGE 3 & 4
* PARTNER STUNTS – DIFFICULTY: 10
PARTNER STUNTS – TECHNIQUE: 5
VOICE: 5
OVERALL IMPRESSION: 5

JUDGE 5 & 6
* TUMBLING – DIFFICULTY: 10
TUMBLING – TECHNIQUE: 5
* JUMPS – DIFFICULTY: 10
JUMPS – TECHNIQUE: 5
OVERALL IMPRESSION: 5

JUDGE 7 & 8
* MOTIONS – DIFFICULTY: 5
* DANCE – DIFFICULTY: 5
MOTIONS/DANCE – TECHNIQUE: 5
FORMATIONS & SPACING: 5
OVERALL IMPRESSION: 5

TOTAL 220

Tiebreaker = Combined Total of * Categories

Pyramids – Difficulty

* Body positions include: stretch, bow & arrow, arabesque, scale, scorpion, etc; Lib and platform are not considered body positions. The following are considered when scoring difficulty:

• OVERALL degree of difficulty
• Percentage of team participation (use of front spots)
• Variety of entries, inversions, dismounts and transitions
• Pace and speed of skills performed

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The following are considered when scoring difficulty:

• Degree of difficulty
• Percentage of team participation
• Variety of entries, inversions, dismounts and transitions

Pyramids – Technique

Technique = A team’s effectiveness in demonstrating proper form (flyer flexibility, body position of bases, spotters and flyers, control of stunt including entry, dismount, and transitions), timing, uniformity and precision

Voice

Stunts – Difficulty

The following are considered when scoring difficulty:

• Degree of difficulty
• Percentage of team participation
• Variety of entries, inversions, dismounts and transitions

Maximum Participation

Athletes	Stunt Groups	Athletes	Stunt Groups
20	4 or 5	12-14	2 or 3
16-19	3 or 4	10-12	2
15	3	9 or less	1 or 2

Stunts – Technique

Technique = A team’s effectiveness in demonstrating proper form (flyer flexibility, body position of bases, spotters and flyers, control of stunt including entry, dismount, and transitions), timing, uniformity and precision

Transitions/Flow of Routine

Tumbling – Difficulty

Combining skills (jump-back handspring/tuck, series back handsprings, back handspring-tuck, etc.) will increase difficulty and score higher within the ranges.

SPECIALTY PASS = Running tumbling with entries, including front walk-over/handspring, aerial, or punch front, ending in a tuck or higher; or running tumbling involving skills such as back handspring step outs, whips, or arabians ending in a tuck or higher

Tumbling – Technique

Technique = A team’s effectiveness in demonstrating proper form (body position and control, landings), timing uniformity and precision

Majority/Most Quantity Table

# of Athletes	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
Majority	5	6	6	7	7	8	8	9	9	10	10	11
Most	7	8	8	9	10	11	11	12	12	13	14	15

Jump – Difficulty

All approaches within the jumps must use a whip approach to be considered connected. Most of the team performing an advanced jump/tumble combination will increase the difficulty and score higher within the ranges. Each skill will be judged in its respective category.

ADVANCED JUMPS = Pike, Right/Left Hurdlers (front or side), Toe Touch, Double Nine

BASIC JUMPS = Spread Eagle, Tuck Jump
The following are considered when scoring difficulty: Degree of difficulty; Percentage of team participation; Variety; Additional skills; Synchronization

Jump – Technique

Technique = A team’s effectiveness in demonstrating proper form (height, flexibility, landing, body position, pointed toes), timing, uniformity and precision

Motions

Dance

Motion & Dance – Technique

Technique = Proper body positioning, placement and alignment; clear movements; controlled balance, flow and connection from one skill to the next; powerful and sharp movement

Formations & Spacing

Overall Impression

The following are considered when scoring:

2023 Vermont Principals’ Association Cheerleading Championship

Music Copyright Compliance #ICC16

All copyright permissions must be properly and completely obtained by the individual or group that is responsible for creating the routine music for a team. All recordings mixed together in cheer routines should be properly licensed and written confirmation of such licenses should be provided to the Vermont Principals’ Association.

You may use recordings that are purchased from vendors that comply with US Copyright laws or create/commission original works for your team (i.e. an original song and recording to which you own or license the rights by written agreement). Under US Copyright law, no teams are permitted to create a re-mix, mash-up or medley without proper written authorization from the copyright owners.

US Copyright laws apply any time music is not being used for personal use. Purchasing a legal copy of a song (iTunes, CD, Amazon download, etc.) only grants the user private, personal use of the music. If you purchase a recording, that alone does not give you the right to make additional copies or mix the recording with other recordings for any other purpose–including use at school functions or other public performances. Personal use gives you the right to listen to the song, but does not give you any other rights in the bundle of rights to that piece of music, which is why the music should not be copied, modified or used in a public place without additional consent.

However, if teams wish to use only a single song in their routine, they may bring a legally purchased copy of that recording to be used at the event. Teams may not re-mix these recordings in any way (such as adding sound effects, changing tempo or mixing with any other recordings), but you may make minor edits for timing purposes only (i.e. removing a chorus or bridge to fit the duration of the music time limit).

Remember:

• Do not use mash-ups, either created by you or sold by music providers using music without proper licensing.
• Do not download songs from sites that do not have properly licensed music.
• Do not copy or distribute to others a recording you have legally purchased.
• Licenses/Permissions must be received in writing (or email) and must be provided to you by all copyright owners.
• If you request a license and you get no response, this does NOT mean that you have permission to use the music.

Coaches are responsible for ensuring that the music used by their teams for any public performance and all competitions follows the above guidelines.

Guidelines for Music Providers:

• When recordings and compositions are completely original:
  All elements in the recordings, including instrumentation and vocal performances, are owned or controlled by the music provider. If any elements are not owned or controlled by the music provider, the music provider must obtain the appropriate licenses from the applicable copyright owners to edit, re-arrange or otherwise alter such works to create a new work for your team.
  If teams want to create their own re-mix or otherwise edit any music purchased from a provider of original music, their license agreement with such providers of original music must also specifically include this right to edit, re-arrange or otherwise alter works.
• When recordings are cover recordings of popular music:
  Guidelines provide that cover recordings of popular music may be used in re-mixes only if the purchase/license of the cover recording includes an explicit right to alter the cover recordings and create new works from these cover recording elements.
• Unlicensed samples may not be used in routine music.
  No unauthorized third party recordings may be used in any way in the new recordings without a proper license. “Sampling” a series of words or beats from any recording is not permitted unless an appropriate written sampling license was obtained.
• Music providers should allow each team to make up to 40 copies of the recordings.
  A mechanical license fee may need to be paid to reproduce copyrighted musical compositions on CDs, records, downloads, etc. If the music provider does not own or control the underlying musical composition, they will need to obtain a mechanical license to make copies of each recording. The music provider is responsible for obtaining the mechanical license and paying any royalties for each copy made–this includes the copy provided upon your initial purchase of the recording, any subsequent recordings in which they are incorporated, and any additional copies that will be distributed to the team.