What is the average difficulty level of your arrangements?
I come from the philosophy that fast notes, crazy harsh chords, and insane high or low notes don't always mean a group is "professional" or "the best". I believe the level of maturity, balance, blend, and tone make a group amazing. So I arrange a lot of my a cappella music with the idea that a high school group, college group, or professional group could perform the arrangement. My music doesn't always rely on crazy note ranges and insanely hard riffs to showcase a group. Music can also rely on the maturity and discipline of the group's sound. So technically my arrangements aren't always extremely difficult (though some can be). But the discipline you approach them with can make your group sound incredible and professional.
I come from the philosophy that fast notes, crazy harsh chords, and insane high or low notes don't always mean a group is "professional" or "the best". I believe the level of maturity, balance, blend, and tone make a group amazing. So I arrange a lot of my a cappella music with the idea that a high school group, college group, or professional group could perform the arrangement. My music doesn't always rely on crazy note ranges and insanely hard riffs to showcase a group. Music can also rely on the maturity and discipline of the group's sound. So technically my arrangements aren't always extremely difficult (though some can be). But the discipline you approach them with can make your group sound incredible and professional.
Can we tweak the song to fit our group's needs?
Absolutely! Feel free to tweak any part of an arrangement to fit your group. I want your group to sound the best they possibly can.
Absolutely! Feel free to tweak any part of an arrangement to fit your group. I want your group to sound the best they possibly can.
What about beatbox percussion?
It is very common for a cappella groups to have a beatbox percussionist. However, not every group does. And when composers arrange music for a cappella groups, they do not write out the beatbox part anyways. It is up to the beatboxer to make up the part. Most of my arrangements are arranged so a beatboxer could easily add a part in if desired, but the arrangement also stands on its own without beatboxing.
It is very common for a cappella groups to have a beatbox percussionist. However, not every group does. And when composers arrange music for a cappella groups, they do not write out the beatbox part anyways. It is up to the beatboxer to make up the part. Most of my arrangements are arranged so a beatboxer could easily add a part in if desired, but the arrangement also stands on its own without beatboxing.
What are the legal terms and conditions?
When purchasing an arrangement from Acappella-Songs, either catalog or custom, the buyer is paying for the time, effort, service and specialized talent involved in creating and providing a high quality vocal arrangement. I am a hired laborer and perform a work-for-hire service. I (like many arrangers) do not own the rights to these songs. The buyer assumes all responsibility for securing both the right to arrange the song(s) that you purchase/commission and the right to make duplicates of the arrangement(s) once delivered, as well as any licensing and royalties involved for public performance and/or recording.
What rights do I have as a performer when performing or recording your arrangement?
When you purchase any arrangement from Acappella-Songs, you are paying for my time and abilities in crafting quality a cappella vocal arrangements (even catalog arrangements were custom arrangements at one time). It is the responsibility of the buyer to secure the necessary arrangement, performance and recording rights of the song that Acappella-Songs arranges for you.
How do I secure these rights?
Educational institutions may already have purchased blanket performance rights for performances at that institution. ASCAP and BMI handle the rights for virtually all popular songs in North America, while recording licenses are handled by the Harry Fox agency. Please take the time to visit these sites and know your rights and responsibilities as a performer. As a courtesy, this article by Singstrong’s Jonathan Minkoff discusses legal matters in a cappella performance and in my opinion is a must read. The right to arrange is secured through the composer and their representative songwriting firms; Hal Leonard Publishing is a go-between for a number of these composers. Make sure you do your own research and ultimately consult a professional. My advice is merely that..advice. It is not official legal counsel.
If we record an Acappella-Songs arrangement, for either CD or MP3 sales, do we need to pay you royalties?
Absolutely not. Remember, you paid for the service of having the arrangement provided to you. However, I would love to have a copy of the finished recording (either in CD or .MP3 file format) so that I may use the finished recording as part of promoting my work and so that I can promote YOU and your group!
When purchasing an arrangement from Acappella-Songs, either catalog or custom, the buyer is paying for the time, effort, service and specialized talent involved in creating and providing a high quality vocal arrangement. I am a hired laborer and perform a work-for-hire service. I (like many arrangers) do not own the rights to these songs. The buyer assumes all responsibility for securing both the right to arrange the song(s) that you purchase/commission and the right to make duplicates of the arrangement(s) once delivered, as well as any licensing and royalties involved for public performance and/or recording.
What rights do I have as a performer when performing or recording your arrangement?
When you purchase any arrangement from Acappella-Songs, you are paying for my time and abilities in crafting quality a cappella vocal arrangements (even catalog arrangements were custom arrangements at one time). It is the responsibility of the buyer to secure the necessary arrangement, performance and recording rights of the song that Acappella-Songs arranges for you.
How do I secure these rights?
Educational institutions may already have purchased blanket performance rights for performances at that institution. ASCAP and BMI handle the rights for virtually all popular songs in North America, while recording licenses are handled by the Harry Fox agency. Please take the time to visit these sites and know your rights and responsibilities as a performer. As a courtesy, this article by Singstrong’s Jonathan Minkoff discusses legal matters in a cappella performance and in my opinion is a must read. The right to arrange is secured through the composer and their representative songwriting firms; Hal Leonard Publishing is a go-between for a number of these composers. Make sure you do your own research and ultimately consult a professional. My advice is merely that..advice. It is not official legal counsel.
If we record an Acappella-Songs arrangement, for either CD or MP3 sales, do we need to pay you royalties?
Absolutely not. Remember, you paid for the service of having the arrangement provided to you. However, I would love to have a copy of the finished recording (either in CD or .MP3 file format) so that I may use the finished recording as part of promoting my work and so that I can promote YOU and your group!
