Grand Mesa Music is currently accepting submissions by composers and arrangers. We are most interested in works in the grade 1 to 5 range for band and grades 1-3 for string orchestra, and we suggest the following guidelines:
Format
If at all possible, submit works on Coda Music's Finale music typesetting program (Macintosh version 98 & up) or Sibelius.Paper
Scores and parts should be on 8 1/2" x 11" paper; this may necessitate combining parts on the score.Keys
- Grade 1 - Bb, Eb
- Grade 2 - Bb, Eb, F, Ab
- Grade 3 - Bb, Eb, Ab, F, C
Rhythms
- Grade 1 - whole, dotted half, half, quarter, eighth
- Grade 2 - as above, plus sixteenth and dotted eighth/sixteenth
- Grade 3 - within reason
Other Considerations
- Avoid awkward leaps
- Use cues where needed, especially on solos
- Percussion technique can generally be more advanced than winds
- Low voices tend to be weak in many young bands. At the grade 1 level, all low voices should be written on unison lines at the octave.
Please call or write if you are interested in our Instrumentation and Range Guidelines for each grade level. Thank you!