Posted on

What We Do

For Composers and Other Rights-holders

Here at Composers Edition we understand that contemporary culture and technology have combined to create a particular set of opportunities and challenges for composers today. Digital communication, marketing and distribution open up a potentially global market, enabling independent composers to find and develop relationships with a wide range of musicians and programmers. But with so many composers presenting their works it can feel like you’re just a small fish in a very big pond.

Aimed exclusively at independent-minded, professionally operating composers and rights-holders Composers Edition provides a tailor-made range of practical services, and crucially, the ideas and one-to-one support you need to succeed.

I love the energetic, pro-active personality of the team, which has been welcoming and really helpful.

Judith Bingham

Joining Composers Edition has been nothing short of inspirational and I’m looking forward to developing my relationship with this understanding and ambitious team.

Edward-Rhys Harry

For many years I have been working with big traditional publishing houses and most of my works have been published there. However, I have increasingly felt the need for a new and modern vision for music publishing: new in relation to the actual economic reality, needs and habits of both living composers and performers today. It seems to me that Composers Edition is going this way

Vykintas Baltakas

It’s a dream come true to have a publisher for my music. It feels like ‘coming home’ to join a body of such interesting composers some of whom have inspired and supported me through out my career

Susannah Self

I am drawn to CE’s very non-corporate, personal operation and ethos and have been greatly encourage by Dan and the team at CE having a genuine interest in me as a composer and in the music I write. Such genuine enthusiasm and support for new music is not easy to find

Marc Yeats

Publishing Services

At the heart of the Composers Edition business is a straightforward publishing service by which members:

  • Make scores and parts available for sale and hire world-wide
  • Have scores, parts and other publications printed-on-demand in high quality bound editions produced by leading specialist music printers in the UK, US and Germany, or made available digitally
  • Retain complete control over works including 100% copyright and 100% royalties
  • Receive remittances from sales of all publications

Since commencing trade on 1 February 2013, Composers Edition has gained a world-wide reputation with musicians, retailers and international distributors both for the quality of its catalogue of more than 3200 musical works by award-winning composers. We are proud of our friendly, efficient, personal service which sees nearly all of our on-demand print orders dispatched to specification within 1-3 days. We also provide composers with the opportunity to make their works available via the nkoda platform and can help with typesetting and proofing. Whether it’s getting parts on stands in good time for the premiere, negotiating a fair hire fee or helping our customers find what they’re after, we’ve got it covered.

Promotion & Representation

You will know that being a successful composer isn’t just about writing high quality music. You must constantly work to develop new opportunities and make the very most of those you have. Doing this with your own creative work can be difficult so it’s vital to have good advice, representation and promotion.  We work with each of our composers to help them create and make the most of opportunities through:

  • How-to guides
  • Consultations
  • Event-based PR
  • Online Profile Development
  • Negotiation
  • Mailing-list development

A vital part of our strategy is to provide a high quality news and social media service. We publish a monthly round of news and features via our news website including specially written articles and interviews for key events.  These are shared via our CE Club mailing list and social media accounts ensuring the very best coverage.

I was instantly drawn to the ethos of the company which puts a strong emphasis on the composers they represent, allowing them to keep the copyright on their works. I was also instantly struck by the professional and friendly approach of Dan and his team.

Rory Boyle

It is an honour to be part of this community of artists and to be supported by such a sensitive and responsive team

Rubens Askenar

I strongly believe in Composers Edition’s philosophy of selling and distributing new music, one that is adapted to our times and gives control to the composer. I really appreciate how easy and fast is to release new works with them.

Gustavo Díaz-Jerez

Composing can seem like a very individual activity but we are strongest when we act collectively and that’s exactly what Composers Edition is doing.

Christopher Fox

As someone who has to work with publishers on many fronts, I’ve long admired Composers Edition’s professionalism, simplicity, and preeminent emphasis on the work and the composers who make it.

Aaron Holloway-Nahaum

Composers Edition’s model of flexibility and adaptability makes me hopeful for vibrant times ahead!

Tonia Ko

Websites

A high quality website is a must for any independent professional artist – it is where you can best control how you and your work are understood by musicians, programmers and audiences alike.  We have 25 years experience in website design, development, maintenance and hosting, offering a one-stop shop for all your website needs.  We’ve developed specialised software to manage and present a integrated musical catalogues of works and recordings plus news and events – all linked to your Composers Edition publications.

The Composers Edition Way

Always evolving, Composers Edition offers professional music publishing the twenty-first century way. It allows you the composer to take control of the distribution and promotion of your work and benefit from services developed with and for a group of internationally recognised creative artists. It generates income from both sales and hire and saves on production and administration costs. Vitally, we also provide the personal, professional support you need to succeed.