1. Please follow the attached grade level and percussion guidelines closely 

2. Write for four players before adding the optional 5th part. 

3. Do not write wall-to-wall. Every part must have rests, and you should consider places for everyone to breathe. 

4. Use the most current Finale or Sibelius template.  

   • Finale: DOWNLOAD HERE 

   • Sibelius: DOWNLOAD HERE 

5. Be sure to write the Part 4 Bb T.C. part in octaves when necessary to keep it below Parts 3 & 4 when Part 4 is not a Tuba. Use an asterisk (*) on the Part 4 Bb staff and the following note at the bottom of the score page when this concept is first introduced: *Play lower note when Part 4 is not a Tuba. 

6. Use Italian musical terms for directives only. 

7. Percussion 1 and Percussion 2 combined must be playable by no more than a total of 2 or 3 players. Please keep mallet parts on Percussion 1 and all other percussion parts on Percussion 2.  Please follow the graded Percussion Guidelines carefully. Both percussion parts are optional (see #16). 

8. Label all first entries of a percussion instrument and specify the type of mallets or sticks to be used. 

9. Use a note head for drums and an x or diamond for all accessories, cymbals, and special effects (i.e. cross stick). 

10. If you want to use tonal colors (i.e. bright vs. mellow brass, etc.), be sure to cross cue in other parts. 

11. When writing a solo, use the solo template for Finale or Sibelius.  

12. Please include an approximate duration on each score. 

13. Divisi parts are allowed only in Part I as optional notes. They must not be required for voicing. 

14. If using drum set, make sure Part 4 aligns with (agrees with or reinforces) the bass drum. Also, your arrangement must work without optional percussion parts. 

15. Do not over-articulate, instead find ways to avoid dense page clutter. 

 

Percussion Guidelines: 

Please note: The drum set guidelines, especially concerning cymbal and tom-tom placement, are in the staff. All are included in the Finale and Sibelius templates.