We do arrangingThe process of adapting a piece of music for a different ensemble, style, or performance context. and orchestrationThe art and science of arranging music for an orchestra, including the assignment of individual parts to different instruments and the creation of a score. for shows of any length, for any size venue, for any instrumentationThe array of different instruments or sounds incorporated in a musical score, in any style.
If live musicians are involved in the production or show, we deliver scores and partsIndividual pieces of music, each designed to be performed by a single musician or section of an ensemble. for the instrumentation, or according to the requirements of the venue.
Arrangements
In developing material for a show, the first step may include transcriptionThe process of notating a piece of music as it is performed, either by ear or from a recording. of your material, and the creation of a piano/vocal or voice/guitar arrangementrefers to the structure and order of musical elements in a composition, such as melody, harmony, rhythm, and instrumentation., either of which is expandable into a larger scoreA written representation of a piece of music, including the notation for all parts of an ensemble..
Orchestrations
If needed, we enhance the arrangement with orchestration for additional instruments, creating notated parts or tracks for all performers or virtual instruments present in the production onstage, on the tracks, or in the pitSpace in front of and below the stage for the orchestra or band; or any offstage space where the orchestra is located for live performance.
Track Production
As an additional service, we can produce tracks and master1. Intellectual property consisting of a sound recording 2. The process of optimizing a mix through further signal processing to adjust presence, timbre, loudness, and tone recordings from our arrangement and orchestration scores, to create a demoA recording created to preview the content of a show or song. Demos can also become master recordings. of the show, or for live performance of a show when tracks are required due to space or budgetary constraints – or to create rehearsal tracks for the cast.
We can recommend and contract talent to record remotely for a cost-effective demo of the show, for fundraising or eventual commercial releaseFollowing the building of tension, arrival at a resolution. In England, is synonymous with "bridge".
What’s the Process for Creating Arrangements for a Show?
- We do a transcription and create a piano/vocal or guitar/voice arrangement to establish the facts of the song, and deliver a pdf and an mp3 playback mockupPlayback file from notation software that isn't considered a finished mix; a preliminary mix showing the structure and elements of the arrangement for approval..
- On approval, we do the orchestration and send a mockup of it.
- On approval, we deliver parts and score, and/or begin track productionAssembling, editing and combining audio elements including instruments, vocals and effects into a finished mix (if quoted and agreed in advance)
- If we’re doing track production, we help find appropriate talent, and on agreement with you, send tracks to them
- We receive client tracks and do a mix1. Collection of individual tracks or parts 2. The process of adjusting relative sound levels, processing and placement within a sonic realm 3. The result of sonic recording and processing.
Deliverables
Pdfs
- Conductor Score
- Libretto parts for the cast
- Vocal parts for a choir or backup singers
- Rehearsal Piano parts including vocal staves, cast name indications and stage directions as needed
- Parts for all instruments
- Tacet sheets for musicians not playing on a particular tune
- Show order numbers on every part and score
Audio
- Mockups
- Demo Tracks (quoted separately)
- Master recordings (quoted separately)
- Minus Vocal Mixes (quoted separately)
- Plunk tracksReference audio tracks containing the melody only, to be used as a guide for vocalists in learning or recording a track for the cast (quoted separately)
Deliverable Source Files
- MIDIA protocol for communicating musical information, such as notes and control signals, between electronic musical instruments and computers.
- mxl, xml, musicxml
- wav, mp3
- .musx
How Long Does It Take to Write a Score?
Figure 1-2 days per musical number to create an arrangement and orchestration, variable depending on the number of revisions requested.
What Do Show Arrangements Cost?
The cost is based on 3 factors:
- What material is available as a source? Are there existing recordings or transcriptions? (These can reduce the cost)
- What the length of each number is in minutes and seconds for each number? Or the total playback time?
- What is the instrumentation? How many instruments and vocalists?
We have a Cost Estimator calculator on our website to give a general idea of cost, with some conventional ensemble configurations shown. Just input the time in min:sec, and you’ll see a range of values.
Are Bulk Discounts Available?
Yes. We bill deposits in order to execute our contract or work agreement and schedule the work on receipt.
We can start with one tune to see how it goes. If it looks like we’re a fit to work together, we can bundle work into batches with a discount.
A batch of 3 will be discounted at 10%, and 5 or more at 15%
Competitive Pricing
We welcome the opportunity to try to meet or beat documented competitive quotes.
Work Samples
Please contact us for samples of our show work. We respect copyright, sharing examples privately via email. Please get in touch for examples of site work. We do have a section of Case Studies of our prior work. We also have a section of Customer Feedback to give an idea of what our past customers think of our work.
