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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
