A while back, there was a post on The Yellow Board asking about the sorts of questions you should ask a potential marching arranger. The feedback was valuable. I decided to take the suggested questions and answer them up front.

1. What levels of music do you usually write for?

        I’ve written for small schools and large schools, running the gamut of levels of difficulty.

2. What consultation throughout the process do you offer to communicate on things like levels, particular sections, etc.?

        A lot of that consultation has to happen up front, so normally I try to have all of that figured out before I write a single note. If there is something I have a question about or am not sure you will approve of, I’ll call or email to get your opinion. It’s YOUR show. YOU need to be happy with it.

3. What time guarantees do you offer in getting the charts to us by a particular date?

        Up front we’ll talk about deadlines and getting you what you need when you need it. I chart all of my writing out on my calendar, so you’ll know exactly when I’m working on your arrangements. Meeting deadlines for colorguard camps, music camps and for drill writers is all things I’ve done in the past and pride myself in being able to do.

4. Can I hear past shows that you have written?

        Just go to the Marching Works page to hear a number of samples. If there’s something not there that you want to hear, email me and I’ll send it to you.

5. Do you make recordings from software or do you have any studio recordings offered in the package of the shows that you write?

        My recordings are software-based using a combination of sound libraries to try to get as much realism as I can afford! Currently, I’m using Garritan Personal Orchestra sounds with Virtual Drumline     sounds. The finished product isn’t 100% realistic, but close enough to give you an idea of what your band will sound like. I’m also a Sibelius user if that matters to you...

        Go to the marching page to hear my samples.

6. Do you charge for rewrites?

        Nope.

7. How many services do you offer (music, drill, concept, choreography, prop design, etc.)?

        I do full band arranging (winds and percussion), original music and concept consultation. Other people are experts at drill and choreography and I’m okay with that!

8. If you do not offer it, how coordinated can you be with the drill writer and guard choreography?

        As coordinated as you want/need me to be. To me, this is how the show takes the next step to an integrated experience, not just a visual representation of a musical production. This is something I want     to do, so you aren’t going to somehow insult me by asking me to coordinate will all of the members of your design team.

9. Who have you written for in the past?

        That’s listed under the Clients & Praise section.

10. How many shows will you be writing this season?

        I don’t put a specific number on this. There are just too many factors involved to put a set number down. However, I assign everything to a period of time on my calendar. Once it’s filled up, I don’t take anymore clients.

11. Are you available for a staff design meeting?

        Yes. Travel is not always practical, but can be worked out. Phone calls, email and Skype/iChat are always good solutions. Meeting at TMEA is also a great idea.

12. What about price?

        My prices are competitive and are listed on the Pricing section of the website. Instead of not being forthcoming about my prices, I prefer to be up front.  Having hired arrangers and gone through that process myself, I’d rather “scare off” a potential client than string one along who doesn’t quite know what I charge.

        There is some flexibility in the cost of each arrangement, but the guidelines given will give you a pretty good idea of the overall cost.

13. 13.Do you write percussion arrangements to existing wind scores?
    

    As of Spring-Summer 2011, I will no longer be writing battery or front ensemble arrangements for existing wind scores. I will still, however, write these parts for wind scores that I am also writing.