Common use of Music Preparation Clause in Contracts

Music Preparation. There are four services covered under the classification of Music Preparation: arranging, orchestrating, copying and librarian work. The work of composers is not covered under AFM agreements. Arranging is the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. It includes reharmonization, paraphrasing and/or development of a composition so that it fully represents the melodic, harmonic and rhythmic structure and requires no changes or additions. Orchestrating is the labor of scoring the various voices and/or instruments of an arrangement without changing or adding to the melodies, counter-melodies, harmonies and rhythms. Copying is the labor of writing out each instrument part on sheet music for the conductor’s score and for each individual musician such that Musicians can perform their own part. Librarians may also be employed in order to keep sheet music organized. Music Preparation services are generally paid by the page of output rather than by time spent working. The standard score page is considered to have 10 lines with 4 bars each. Additional payment is required if pages contain more lines than 10. These rates can be found in the associated music preparation chart. Arrangers may negotiate their own rates, as the skill is highly specialized, but in no case shall such a rate be less than the calculated scale rate for orchestration.