ARRANGERS: HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR CHART

Interested in submitting your arrangement to us?

The easiest works to publish are either public domain, or works where you are either the composer, or in direct contact with the composer. Arrangements of copyrighted songs require securing a print license, which require a lot more time, if they can be secured at all. At the end of the day, it is up to the composer or the owner of the composer’s rights to decide. Please allow up to six months for the process of securing a print license.

Anchor Music Publications takes pride in publishing music that is legible and as correct as possible, is clear and easy to understand and that will assist directors and students to rehearse and perform the music with an understanding of style, tempo and feel.

The following information and checklist will help to get your chart published quickly and accurately. 

1. Format

____ Format in notation software – preferred in ONE file with all parts, but one file per part accepted. Finale or Dorico preferred; others accepted

____ Format separate vocal part with chord changes

____ Format separate written out piano, bass, drum parts with chord changes

____ Optional: provide additional parts: guitar, horns, etc

2. Symbols / Notations

____ On top of first page, left side – indicate voicing (SATB/SSA etc), style, recommended tempo

____ On top of first page, right side – indicate composer & arranger

____ On top of all pages except first – repeat title & page number (Ex: Autumn Leaves – 2)

____ Clearly notate any tempo changes, ending repeats & Codas

____ Include measure numbers or rehearsal letters

____ Insert dynamics

____ Insert accents and inflections

____ Insert phrase markings – ensure that singers have places to breathe

____ Remove any existing copyright information – will be added in review process

3. Appearance

____ A clean font like the Broadway font is preferred – ensure lyrics are a readable size

____ Clean up any areas of overlap: text, notes, chords, rehearsal letters, and other markings

____ Edit spacing between words, use text extensions (more than one note per syllable)

____ Include text on all lyric lines (do not use ‘etc.’ for repeated sections)

____ Leave approx. 1.5 to 2” space at the bottom of the first page of each part for copyright information

____ Ensure that a DS/DC al Coda marking ends a staff, and that the Coda begins a new staff (or page)

____ Space out staves – each page must be at least 60% full

4. Rehearsal/performance suggestions (optional, to appear at end of vocal chart)

____ Offer notes to assist conductor with rehearsal techniques

____ Offer notes to conductor regarding performance suggestions

5. Description of chart

____ Include a short paragraph explaining your chart, as you would like it to appear.

____ Recommend level of difficulty (see difficulty level explanation on Web site)

6. Recording

____ Provide a professional demo or live recording of your chart – or contact us for our low recording rates

____ Optional: provide stems for part tracks and backing tracks

ANCHOR PUBLISHING GUIDELINES   (PDF format for printing)

Anchor Music Publications is committed to publishing the next generation of vocal jazz literature – written by the prominent performers and composers of today and beyond. With dozens of arrangers on our staff, we can pair you with an arranger to develop a choir adaptation of your song.

• Please submit your song in lead sheet form to us in notation software. Dorico preferred; others accepted
• Submit a demo recording of a performance of your song. This can be anything from a YouTube video to a professionally produced track to a rough recording of you at home
• Provide us with the the copyright text you would want displayed on the chart. This should be consistent with any information you have provided during copyright registration (ASCAP/BMI/SESAC etc)

AMP artists (arrangers & composers) will enter an agreement that licenses the arrangement of the composition (not the composition itself) to our company in exchange for annual royalties. It’s very simple and straightforward – contact us and we will walk you through it!

Our chart review window starts in the fall, and the most important deadline is April 15 of each year. Charts must be submitted by that date to enter the production cycle for the next academic year and to be featured on state & national reading sessions. 

Chart Submissions (Oct 15 – Apr 15 only)