Hi Malph,
I think it will be extremely difficult to find radio software that can import iTunes music. iTunes used to use some DRM protected format to prevent the sharing of legally downloaded music. Most radio playout software mentioned here (school radio playout, synergyschoolradio software, Zara, Audacity, Jazler and iTunes - though iTunes is not radio software) will require you to copy MP3, MP2, WAV or OGG files onto a PC, to then access from the playout software.
It is worth noting that students can not (i'll say that again)... can not copy their own music onto the schools computers/radio station computer. This is technically sharing, and something that the school could get into trouble for if found out by licensing authorities. There is not a license I am aware of that cover this. This also goes for teachers, parents etc. If the school wants to use copyright music on its radio station, then you have two options. 1. It can be played 'direct' from an iPod, or from a CD player - This way the music is not being copied/shared onto someone else's device. (Difficult to do if you are recording the music and making podcasts people can download....) 2. The school ideally needs a small budget to own the music it is using on its radio station.
The best way I have found for a school to buy music for a radio station (where the music is copied onto a PC) is through ILikeMusic/Business. These guys offer copyright music at education/charity and no-profit organisation prices. Worth a look. The school pays upfront for 6 months or 12 months access and can download about 300 or 660 music tracks depending on the plan you buy. 6 months is about £150 + vat and 12 months is £300 + vat.
Regulations for copyright music used to be a nightmare in schools but have been simplified over the years and the number of schools with radio stations has grown enormously in the UK. First things first, you need to be covered by PRS and PPL to listen and perform (sing/guitar/piano etc) music within a publicly licensed building. (Definitely check out PRS for Music and PPL UK websites for costs) My understanding is that these licenses will enable you to listen to music within your school (via a radio, CD player, iPod, Radio 1 via a laptop etc) and also to strum a guitar, singing someone else's copyright protected song. Some local authorities/boroughs have this license covered for schools, so worth checking if you are covered before doubling up! - they are not expensive and without this license, technically, you are not supposed to play/perform copyright music in the building... sad...
If you want to broadcast a radio station within your school, synergyschoolradio packages all include streaming software, (should you want to broadcast live to your interactive white boards, iPads, digital signage etc within the school) then you need to get an additional license from PPL UK called a Student Radio License. This also includes a radio station/CD player, iPod etc wired speakers around the school or out in the playground.
The PRS and PPL licenses enable you to listen to music and the Student Radio License enables you to broadcast (within the school) Apparently two different things. Again, the Student Radio License is not expensive and is a yearly cost. You don't have to keep a record of tracks played, it's just a blanket license for the year to broadcast via streaming or wired speakers.
If you want to put your copyright music on-line, so it is available to the public, then further licenses are required! Depending on whether you want to upload podcasts (pre-recorded shows) or stream your radio station live, you will need a streaming/podcast host. When you come to do this, then you are looking at some proper radio station software like Myriad or synergyschoolradio software. Freebie software like Zara I don't remember having this feature but you need the software to report the number of music tracks played and also for the number of connections (listeners connected to your broadcast), and the amount of time your listeners are connected to your broadcast to be logged. Quarterly reports are then sent to the licensing authorities to make sure you are in the right price band. The difference between a lot of free/home developed software is that decent software designed for education will do all of the hard work for you, making it easier for teachers/first-time broadcasters.
All of the licensing comments above only apply to copyright music. If you are not using chart music/copyright free music, then you don't need a license for within your school and internet/podcast broadcasting.
Hope that helps..?
