printing music for an orchestra?

Hi, I'm planning on printing the score of a recent piece I made, called 'A Feather on the Wind'. And my plan is, that after printing the score, I was going to send it off to an orchestra and ask if they might consider playing, or just some general feedback really.

Anyway, I was wondering if this is a good idea; I would love to have my music played (and heard) but I don't know whether they would charge me, and whether they would appreciate me sending them something or whether they might find it a bit rude or something.

So any advice would be great, thanks.

Wellll it can't hurt to try it. Be polite. http://pronovamusic.com/rules.html

Wellll it can't hurt to try it. Be polite. http://pronovamusic.com/rules.html

Thanks for replying, and for the link, which I just read, and am happy to say that I have not made any mistakes so far.

I was wondering though: should I send the conductor's sheet, the instrument parts and a CD, or just send CD and conductor's sheets?

Thanks

I don't think they would be offended, but don't be offended yourself if you don't even hear back from them.

Thank you, my friend. I had considered that, and will have to be reasonable in my thinking when waiting for a reply.

Also, my name is Phil too. Nice to meet you :)

Send them the whole set. Make it as easy for them as possible.

even for pro musicians is easier to listen than just read, if you have a computer generated recording, send it too, no matter if it's not perfect, the conductor will probably like more to listen while reading the score.

even for pro musicians is easier to listen than just read...

What?

...also, if you listen, it's hard to forget....players are easily influenced. They will ignore what you wrote in lieu of what they heard.

That is a good link. The only thing I disagree with is the necessity of 10x13-sized parts. If you can get into a music library and check out orchestral parts printed in America, there's a good chance that they will be 9x12. That is the smallest size you'll want to use and it's what I always do unless asked otherwise. However, there's nothing wrong with 10x13 (if you're submitting to the Minnesota Orchestra apparently you'll want to use that).

In terms of sending in the parts... I personally wouldn't, largely because I don't have the money to be printing out lots of parts on top of scores (and if you want to submit to a bunch of orchestras you'll probably be spending a good deal of money). Also, you've just wasted paper if the orchestra never gets back to you. If they like the score they may ask for parts. I'd send a score (I've never heard it called a conductor's sheet) and CD along with a message explaining what your package is for. In the score I would include a page that gives program notes, composer's bio, and your contact information (put your contact info in the message as well). Some orchestras don't like unsolicited mail, but the worst that can happen is you'll never hear back.

That is a good link. The only thing I disagree with is the necessity of 10x13-sized parts. If you can get into a music library and check out orchestral parts printed in America, there's a good chance that they will be 9x12. That is the smallest size you'll want to use and it's what I always do unless asked otherwise. However, there's nothing wrong with 10x13 (if you're submitting to the Minnesota Orchestra apparently you'll want to use that).

In terms of sending in the parts... I personally wouldn't, largely because I don't have the money to be printing out lots of parts on top of scores (and if you want to submit to a bunch of orchestras you'll probably be spending a good deal of money). Also, you've just wasted paper if the orchestra never gets back to you. If they like the score they may ask for parts. I'd send a score (I've never heard it called a conductor's sheet) and CD along with a message explaining what your package is for. In the score I would include a page that gives program notes, composer's bio, and your contact information (put your contact info in the message as well). Some orchestras don't like unsolicited mail, but the worst that can happen is you'll never hear back.

Thank you, my friend. That is brilliant advice.

However, my next question is this: what type of orchestra should I send my score to?... I'll explain:

I live in the UK, and around my area, there are three main orchestras that I know of, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic (RLP), Crosby Symphony Orchestra and The Wirral Symphony orchestra. I know the names probably mean nothing to you, but my point is that only the Liverpool Phil' is based on professional players, the other two are amateur orchestras. So I don't know what one would be the best to go for if they were all to say they were interested. And would there be a cost, do you think, if I sent the score to the RLP?