Introduction
I understand how crucial the marching band season is to your overall band program. For many students, it’s the highlight of their year. Their success, or lack thereof, shapes their perception of their band experience and sets the tone for your program’s culture and its future trajectory.
It can be incredibly disheartening when a show doesn’t live up to expectations. I’ve experienced this firsthand during my nine-year tenure as a director at Cedar Park High School in Austin, Texas. Seeing fellow directors grapple with disappointment when their show doesn’t hit the mark due to factors beyond their control is genuinely distressing. The sting is particularly sharp when designers fail to deliver top-notch work, communicate ineffectively, or miss deadlines.
The situation becomes even more complex when funding comes into play. With limited resources, creating a spectacular marching band show can be a daunting task. Relying on pre-made music doesn’t always cater to your band’s unique needs!
This situation is unjust to you, your community, and most importantly, your students. As someone who has walked in your shoes, I am committed to delivering my best work for every band because you truly deserve it.
Picking Previously Commissioned Music
A great solution, outside of commissioning a brand new arrangement for your band (which often can be time and money intensive), is to pick music from a catalog that’s already written! By doing so, you save valuable time and money, and can often get an even better result.
Peruse my marching band shows to find a show you like! Or, select individual arrangements from different shows with which you’d like to create your own unique show. Then, I’ll custom-tailor each piece to perfectly fit your band, making adjustments so, in the end, you’ll have your own new, custom arrangement.
By selecting from my previously commissioned marching band shows, you’ll save money, time, and the headaches associated from starting from scratch!
What makes my marching band shows different?
Drawing from my experience as a band director, my educational background, and active involvement in the marching arts…
Music is composed to align seamlessly with the band’s skill level. To put it simply, if I wouldn’t want to teach it, I won’t write it! The scores and parts come to you already “pre-cleaned”, so your students can sound great from the very first read!
Music is written with fundamental concepts in mind and instrument-specific challenges considered. The “little” details make the “big difference”. Things like choosing keys that put students in good ranges, and on more “in-tune” notes. Things like avoiding the throat tones on clarinets. Things like writing woodwind (and brass) technique that, while might sound challenging, are written to use very playable fingerings. Things like considering the lengths of phrases played, and how often students need to breathe!
Music is always delivered on time. No exceptions. The last thing you need is the stress of waiting on your show. You’re already spinning enough plates as it is!
Music will be in your hands with plenty of time for the rest of your design team to do their thing. Once you have the core of your musical product, you can share it with the rest of your design team at an early stage. As the marching arts increasingly prioritize the visual coordination of your show, it is now more important than ever to ensure your visual designers are set up for success!
When you choose to commission an arrangement from me, I’ll be here to make it right for you – no matter what. From the moment your idea is born until the final performance, I’ll be by your side to adjust, tweak, help, suggest, and edit your musical program. Together, we’ll strive for maximum achievement and effectiveness.
How It Works
Pick your music! Choose a complete show or mix-and-match movements from different shows to create the marching band show that best suits your vision! Let me know what you’re interested in, and I’d be delighted to provide you with perusal scores so you can have a closer look!
Reserve your music! Reach out to me to let me know what you’re looking for! I’ll make sure your marching band show is available in your region. Then, we’ll work together to get the ball rolling on payments, copyright, and more.
Tell me about your band! I will ask you a variety of questions about your band to better understand how I can modify and adapt your music to suit your ensemble. I will specifically inquire about changing soloists, instrumentation, and difficulty during key moments.
Relax! Once licenses are obtained and payments are handled, I’ll dive in and fine-tune your arrangements to ensure they’re a perfect fit for your marching band!
Conclusion
In conclusion, crafting shows using previously commissioned music arrangements can save you time and money, and lead to even greater success! By discussing potential changes in soloists, instrumentation, and difficulty levels at crucial junctures, you’re poised to elevate your ensemble’s performance to new heights.
FAQ
What’s the main advantage of using pre-written music for my marching band show?
Using previously commissioned music saves time, money, and stress. You start with proven material that’s already worked for other ensembles and can be easily customized to fit your band’s strengths, instrumentation, and goals.
Will my show still feel unique if I use pre-written music?
Absolutely. Every arrangement is personalized for your group — including changes to solos, voicing, and difficulty — so your students sound their best and your show feels like yours.
How is your music different from other pre-written marching band shows?
Each piece is written with band directors in mind. Scores are “pre-cleaned” for easy readability, written in smart keys for student comfort, and built around solid fundamentals. Everything arrives on time, so your design team can coordinate early.
What’s the process for getting started?
- Pick your music – Choose a full show or mix movements from several.
- Reserve your show – I’ll confirm regional availability and handle licensing details.
- Share details about your band – We’ll discuss instrumentation, soloists, and skill level.
- Relax – I’ll customize and deliver your finished music, ready for rehearsal.
How do I know the music will fit my ensemble’s ability level?
Every show is written to align with your specific instrumentation and skill level. I won’t write anything I wouldn’t want to teach myself — your students will sound great from day one.
What if I need edits or changes later in the season?
I offer unlimited in-season editorial support. I’ll stay with you from concept to final performance, helping tweak and refine your show for maximum impact.
How early should I contact you to reserve a show?
As soon as possible! Many regions have exclusivity rules to prevent overlap. Early booking ensures your preferred show remains available and gives your design team a head start.
Do you handle copyright and licensing?
Yes — I’ll walk you through the licensing process and handle permissions for any copyrighted material so everything’s fully legal and stress-free.
Author Bio:
Evan VanDoren is a composer, arranger, and former band director who helps music educators design creative, fully licensed marching band shows. Learn more at evanvandoren.com.
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