The church copyright exemption for music public performance includes Sunday school?

Question

I'm a Sunday Bible school teacher for children at my church, and I sing songs with them during our class. Is that legal?  
If I start playing the guitar with these songs, would it still be legal? Everything is done in our church kid's classroom

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

Yes, you can legally sing songs with the children in your Sunday school class under the church copyright exemption. The exemption generally covers performances of music as part of a religious service, and Sunday school can be considered part of the church's educational and religious activities. Singing with the children in a classroom setting falls within this scope, provided it is non-commercial and directly related to worship or instruction. 
 
If you play the guitar along with these songs, it should still be legal. The act of playing an instrument to accompany singing does not change the nature of the activity as long as it remains part of the religious teaching and is not for profit. The key factor is that the performance is occurring within the context of a church setting and for a religious purpose. 
 
However, if the songs you are singing or playing are under copyright and are not within the church's licensing agreements, it's a good idea to check if your church has the appropriate licenses. Many churches obtain blanket licenses from organizations like CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International) to cover a wide range of songs for various uses, including Sunday school activities. This ensures compliance with copyright laws while allowing you to focus on teaching and worship.

Q: The church copyright exemption for music public performance includes Sunday school?