Q: What makes your percussion arranging team better than others?
A: First of all, the fact that we are a team at all makes us better. Most people write solo. We each bring our own experience and expertise to the process and check eachother's work. For example, Brett has vast experience in battery work and Steve is more experienced in pit techniques. Either one of us by ourself could offer excellent arrangements and we have both written many such arrangements on our own in the past. Together, we offer something even better and the best part for you is that the price does not change.

Q: How soon can I expect you to send me the arrangements?
A: We can usually write a full percussion score for a fall marching band show inside of one to two weeks. Add shipping time to that and you're looking at about two to three weeks. If we are working on several scores at the same time, we will try to give you a more accurate time frame and can prioritize certain arrangements if time constraints are an issue.

Q: Is there ever a time when Steve or Brett will not work together, but will write separately. Will the cost change?
A: 9 times out of 10, we will write in collaboration. Most likely, Steve will write the pit score and Brett will write the battery. However Brett and Steve both have schedules, which sometimes get in the way of collaborative writing. Price is not a factor. Since our rates are the same as they would be for most solo arrangers in this area, they do not change when one of us goes solo. All rates are subject to negotiation and may vary from one job to the next though.

Q: What do I have to do to get started?
A: You will need to decide on a show and obtain copyright priveleges. You will also need to purchase (or write your own) wind score. Then contact us either through this website or by phone and we will draw up a contract. We will need a copy of the wind score to write the percussion arrangement. If at all possible, provide us with a recording of the wind score as that would greatly expedite the process. If it happens to be a recording of another band performing the same show, that's fine. We will just ignore the percussion parts (unless you like what you hear). Midi or sequenced instrumental sounds are okay too. A recording of any original music on which your show is based would also help, but is not necessary.

Q: When should I contact you?
A: If you would like us to write your winter show, please contact us between October 1 and December 1 by email. It is fine to contact us later, but there may be a slight delay depending on our workload.

If you would like us to write your fall show, anytime up to June 1 is fine by email. If it is between June 1 and the start of your band camp (presumably in August) please contact us by phone (703-283-9048). We tend to be on the road a lot during the summer and won't get to check email as often as usual after mid-June.

Q: What about a contract?
A: No work will be done without a contract. Many band programs wait until after the work is done or at least in progress to write up such contracts, not due to any ill intent (I have always been paid what I was told I would be) but simply because that's how the timing worked out. Unfortunately, if we intend to write for more than one group simultaneously, we cannot offer this. A contract will have to be drawn up prior to the work beginning. It will include among other things the price and a description of the work that can be as general or specific as you need it to be. Check out the contract and payment page for further info.