Composing and Arranging

Music can establish a mood, shape an emotional response, reinforce a message, or give a project an identity of its own. I can compose and arrange music for filmmakers, content creators, businesses, producers, and other clients who are looking for music that’s tailored to their project's specific needs. Whether you need an original score to be developed from the ground up or need an existing musical idea to be expanded into a complete arrangement, my goal is to create music that feels purposeful, distinctive, and connected to your vision.

Music That’s Created for Your Project

 Every project is different. That's why I take the time to understand what the music needs to accomplish. A dramatic scene may need the music to support the emotion without overwhelming it. A commercial might need a memorable musical identity that communicates an idea in a matter of seconds. A corporate project may require something more polished and contemporary, while another project may benefit from a cinematic or orchestral approach.

Instead of starting with a predetermined sound, I take the time to understand the project's story, message, audience, and emotional direction. From there, I can develop the musical elements that will best support it (including melody, harmony, rhythm, instrumentation, texture, dynamics, and overall structure). The result is music that's created specifically for the project instead of music that's placed underneath it.

Original Composition

I compose original music for a variety of visual and creative applications. Some of them include the following:

• Film and video.

• Commercials and advertising.

• Corporate and promotional media.

• Documentaries.

• Online and social media content.

• Branded content.

• Independent creative projects.

The music can range from intimate and understated to energetic, contemporary, cinematic, electronic, or orchestral. The goal isn't just to write a good piece of music. It's to write music that works for the project as a whole.

Arranging

Sometimes, the musical idea already exists. You may have a melody, chord progression, piano sketch, MIDI demo, lead sheet, or partially developed piece that needs to be expanded into a complete arrangement. I can help you transform that material by developing its structure, harmony, instrumentation, textures, transitions, dynamics, and overall musical direction. 

Depending on your needs, these services can include:

• Developing an existing musical idea.

• Expanding a basic piano or MIDI sketch.

• Creating introductions, transitions, and endings.

• Developing accompaniment and supporting parts.

• Reharmonization.

• Instrumentation and voicing.

• Structural development.

• Adapting music for different ensembles or styles.

• Preparing material for further production or orchestration.

The goal is to preserve what makes the original idea work while finding ways to make it more complete, expressive, and effective.

The Line Between Composing and Arranging

 The line between composing and arranging isn't always clear, which is often a good thing. A composition may start with a simple theme, which can be developed as instrumentation and structure are explored. An arrangement may introduce new musical material that becomes an important part of the finished piece. Because I work in both areas, I can approach the music as a whole instead of treating both as isolated steps. This is useful when a project starts with an idea instead of as a finished musical blueprint.

From Initial Idea to Finished Music

 While every project is different, here are some basic steps in my approach that help me to understand its scope:

• Creative Direction – I start by discussing the project, its audience, the intended emotional direction, and the role the music needs to play. References can be helpful, but the goal isn't to copy existing music. I want to establish a common vocabulary for mood, energy, instrumentation, pacing, and overall direction.

• Musical Development – I develop the core musical ideas and determine the appropriate structure, instrumentation, harmonic language, and production approach. For projects that involve writing music for picture, pacing, transitions, dramatic moments, and how the music interacts with the visuals must also be considered.

• Review and Refinement – You will have an opportunity to hear the developing music and provide feedback. I will then make any revisions that can be helpful in refining the creative direction (all while keeping the project moving toward an agreed-upon result).

• Production and Delivery – Once the final piece of music is approved, I complete the production and prepare the appropriate files for final delivery. Depending on the project, additional services (such as orchestration, music production, mixing, and mastering) can also be incorporated into the workflow.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

A Musical Approach That's Built Around Story

One of the most important skills in writing music for media is knowing when the music should attract attention and knowing when it shouldn't. Not every moment requires a sweeping melody or a dramatic musical statement. Sometimes a subtle texture, restrained harmony, rhythmic pulse, or carefully placed change in instrumentation will be more effective.

I approach every musical idea by thinking about how it will work with the project as a whole. It isn't just about what will sound good. It's also about what that moment needs. Making this distinction is what shapes my approach to composing and arranging music.

Modern Tools to Create Musical Direction

 My workflow combines traditional musical knowledge with contemporary production technology. Using Cubase, virtual instruments, MIDI production, notation, audio processing, and modern production tools allows me to explore ideas quickly while having control over the finished music. But technology is only part of the process.

 The decisions that matter the most remain musical. Choosing the right harmony, developing a melody, finding the appropriate instrumentation, shaping a transition, building tension, creating contrast, and knowing when simplicity is more effective than complexity is also important. The tools I use help me realize the idea and develop it into a cohesive product. 

Pricing

Because every project is different, the final price will depend on certain factors (such as the music's length, complexity, instrumentation, intended use, and production requirements). It can also depend on turnaround time and the amount of development that's required to make the music work. For straightforward projects, I can often provide pricing based on the scope that's established during the initial discussion. Larger or more complex projects may require a custom quote.

My prices for composing and arranging music include the following:

• Custom music up to 60 seconds: starting at $750.

• Custom music from one to three minutes: starting at $1,250.

• Longer scores: starting at $500 per finished minute.

• Highly synchronized or production-intensive music: custom quote.

Pricing can include composition, virtual-instrument production, mixing, and delivery of the completed music. Alternate versions, stems, extensive revisions, live musicians, and expanded licensing may require an additional fee.

Licensing will be based on how and where the music will be used (including the intended audience, distribution platforms, territory, and duration of use).

You can also visit my main Pricing page for an overview of rates across all my services.

Hear My Work

 The best way to understand what I do is to hear it. So, feel free to check out my portfolio to hear examples of my past work.