Composers and arrangers are widely in demand for a wide variety of projects, from film and television scores to video game background music. Composers write music from scratch, forming a work specifically for whatever project they may be working on. Arrangers, on the other hand, take already-written music (usually, but not always, composed by someone else) and change it to work with different instruments, different styles of music or different mediums. For example, an arranger might take a piece of classical music, written for a full orchestra, and make it suitable for a hip-hop band.

So before you begin your next project requiring music, first stop and consider whether you need a composer to write something entirely new, or an arranger to modify already existing music. Then, find the perfect composers and arrangers by:

1. Searching through a directory of music composers and arrangers,

2. Finding a music composer who specializes in your genre,

3. Or seeking a music arranger who specializes according to your needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Discover music composer directories

There are several useful directories for arrangers, composers and other music specialists. All of them single out composers by either region or music genre. A good number of composers in these directories also provide custom music arrangements.

I recommend: Gig Salad provides a directory of composers throughout the United States; click on a state and a city and find composers of many types in your region. 1212.com offers a directory of film composers throughout the United States. American Music Center provides a comprehensive list of composers of all types.

Discover a music composer who specializes

Some of the most commonly sought music composers write for film, television, radio and video games. Other popular genres include MIDI music and scores for industrial films. It makes good business sense to seek composers who already have considerable experience in and understand the unique requirements of these genres.

I recommend: Freelance-Music-Composer.com specializes in new music for games, television, radio, MIDIs and more. Barden Music Productions offers the services of composer Steve Barden, whose resume includes cartoon, television pilots, radio theme, commercial and industrial music. Composer Bill Brown is also a film music composer. Nicholas Paul Simpson writes for television, film and other media.

Find respected musical arrangers

Although some composers also arrange music, some of the best music arrangers focus solely on unique and custom arrangements. Look for an arranger who specializes in the type of music you need; the skills and experience of marching band arrangers is quite different from those of classical music arrangers, for example.

I recommend: Artie Butler is a music arranger of over 100 hit albums. Kenneth W. Davies also does music arrangement for all instruments, pop or classical styles. Worshipband.com offers arrangement of worship songs. Jair Klarfeld Music specializes in arranging marching band music.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It takes both experience and education to be a good music arranger. Look for arrangers with an excellent music theory education, an ability to read and write music easily, the ability to transpose music quickly, and a strong background working in the genre of music you need.