Composer Submissions

Date: January 2024   

*** IMPORTANT UPDATE JAN 2024 ***

Due to expansion, we are no longer accepting submissions for new sheet music

publications until at least late-Autumn 2024. Watch this space for further info.

Our previous call-for-scores can be found below for information and planning purposes.

  

 Click HERE for this page as a PDF

GENERAL DETAILS: Who? When? Where? What?

Who can submit scores?        Being a Disability Confident registered business, we particularly welcome submissions from disabled and autistic spectrum composers, however, there are no restrictions in place in terms of the age, gender, background, religion, nationality or otherwise of composers - we welcome music from everyone.

When can music be submitted? The current call-for-scores is open ended until further notice, so music can be submitted at any point. Please note that we only look at new publications quarterly so there may be a delay in replying to you. Please be patient!

Where is music submitted?     The easiest way is by email to publishing@moonhousemusic.com however, if another accessible means is needed, such as DropBox or post, please contact us in advance on the above email.

What formats are acceptable?  Scores must be in Sibelius (preferred), MuseScore or Dorico formats. We can also accept scores in PDF format, and if you have a supporting recording (MP3 etc.) you are welcome to send it as well, but that isn’t compulsory.

 

IMPORTANT SPECIFIC DETAILS

What styles are needed?        We’re particularly interest in Folk, Jazz, World, Pop, Blues, Christmas, Sacred, Contemporary Classical as these fit best with our current requirements. However, we are open to great music in any style if we think we can promote it to our clients and customers.

What types of pieces?           *Important* Moonhouse Music™ ® (and its trading brands Masquerade Music, Happy Bubble Music and Through the Spirit) are primarily publishers of music for education, examination and concert use. Pieces that tend to most successful are works that are fulfilling to play and could be used for teaching, examinations and/or performances. Think about all those pieces you loved (or still love) when learning, preparing for exams or that you used in concerts or performances. Together it’s our job to put together the next generation of great pieces to inspire performers!

What playing standard?         To match up with what we currently need, it would be advisable to keep submissions to within the Grade 1 to Grade 6 (UK) standards – that is beginner to intermediate+. If you’re not sure what that might be, please research the pieces currently on the syllabuses of exam boards such as the ABRSM, Trinity College, LCM or MTB.

What instruments?              

Currently, please only submit music for the following instruments:

  • Brass (Any Treble Clef) Unaccompanied solos or duets / pieces with piano accompaniment

  • Cello Unaccompanied solos or duets / pieces with piano accompaniment

  • Choir A cappella or with piano/organ accompaniment [short works under 4 min only]

  • Clarinet (Bb) Unaccompanied solos or duets / pieces with piano accompaniment

  • Flute (C) Unaccompanied solos or duets / pieces with piano accompaniment

  • Piano Solo pieces

  • Saxophone (Eb/Bb) Unaccompanied solos or duets / Pieces with piano accompaniment

  • Viola Unaccompanied solos or duets / pieces with piano accompaniment

  • Violin (or Fiddle) Unaccompanied solos or duets / pieces with piano accompaniment

Please note: Ensemble pieces are not required in the current call-for-scores

How many pieces?              You are welcome to send more than one piece, up to a maximum of seven pieces. Think quality over quantity and send only your best stuff. If you have an idea for a full publication of over seven pieces, please include the outline of the publication, number of pieces, etc. If we think it’s a match for us then we’ll get in touch for the rest of the pieces.

What else to include?           Along with the score it’d be great for you to include a note of what type of publication/s you think your piece/s would fit in, the rough ability level for the pieces and a short paragraph on your background and compositional focus. If you have a pre-prepared biography or website, you’re welcome to include that instead.

What is the deal?                     Understandably, we are unable to discuss details of publishing contracts before we’ve seen your work, and identified it as a potential addition to our catalogues. But, rest assured that we will work with you to get your music out there and return you an ethical deal too. Remember that the Moonhouse Music team are all composers and arrangers, we’re on your side and know how it is from your side too!

Anything else?                   If you have a piece that falls outside of any of the categories or details above, you are welcome to email us with details. This might be music for a different instrument or an idea for a publication that you think you might have a piece for that we might be able to match with works from other composers. Do get in touch, but remember that these will be looked at by the publications board periodically and not straight away. We will get back to you though!

Click HERE for this page as a PDF