What is musical engraving?

The term musical engraving is derived from the act of physically engraving music onto large metal plates. From these plates, scores would be reproduced and distributed for sale. Though the art is not nearly as common as it once was, digital engraving through programs such as Finale, Sibelius, and Dorico offers a lower barrier of entry. It is the job of the engraver to finalize and standardize any print music and to eliminate any ambiguity within the score and parts. The clearer and less ambiguous the score, the less time must be spent in rehearsal figuring out composer intent, and the more time spent making music.

Why hire an editor?

As with any field, music engraving takes practice and experience. It takes time, energy, and plenty of trial and error to figure out what works and what does not. By going to an experienced and trusted copyist, the composer can save hours of time, allowing ensembles to rehearse more efficiently and allowing the composer to focus on composing.

What is my experience?

Over the course of my 6 years as an editor, I’ve edited scores and made parts for over 300 works from almost 100 composers. I specialize in consistency and style and have a variety of templates, fonts, and guides that I draw upon to deliver the score and parts exactly as you wish. For recent work samples, see below.

What do I offer to you?

It’s simple. I provide beautiful, easy-to-read scores and parts, customized to your specification and personal preference, engraved from manuscript or edited from a notation file. I provide you with PDF files for every score and part, and sometimes I am even able to let you keep the notation files*. After an initial no-charge consultation, I provide you with an estimate, a contract, and a deadline, and I work with you throughout the process to ensure that your music is presented exactly how you intend.

*Notation files are offered as a deliverable for almost all editing services, except those where the composer opts for my personal styles and libraries, which are proprietary.

Schedule a conversation

Fill out the form below and I will be happy to contact you directly. As a service to the field of music engraving, I offer consultations for anyone and everyone, regardless of career status or background, with no obligations or fees. During this time, we will discuss your needs and develop a style for you that includes font selection, necessary branding, preferred page sizes, and any other considerations that you may have.

Happy composing!