RSCM Composition Review Service
What is the RSCM’s Composition Review Service?
As an educational organization, the RSCM provides tuition and feedback through specialist courses and training events. As a publisher, RSCM Press receives a huge amount of unsolicited music for consideration every week.
Responding to this level of interest, we invite amateur composers and arrangers wishing to develop and improve approach, technique and style to partake of our Composition Review Service. For a single fee, you can receive a detailed commentary on your composition from experienced composers and church musicians (see back page) usually within one month.
What can I submit for review?
A piece or group of pieces totaling no more than five (5) minutes of music (excluding repeats). Fees for larger submissions can be quoted on request.
How can I submit my work and how will it be returned?
By post:
- Please send a completed application form and
either one legible copy, printed or clearly hand-written on single-sided sheets of A4 (or US letter) size paper;
or electronic files on CD or floppy disc in Sibelius, Finale, or PDF file format only
to RSCM Press, 19 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EB, UK.-
For UK entries, submissions must not total more than 60 sheets of A4, and must include a self-addressed envelope with stamps to the correct value for the weight of the returned submission (weighed as a ‘large letter’ according to current Royal Mail regulations).
- For overseas entries, we will send the completed review back via airmail, and for this a further charge of £5 should be added to the fee.
-
By e-mail to: press(at)rscm.com
- Please email a completed application form with your attached files (in Sibelius, Finale, or PDF file format only). Files will be returned, with the reviewer’s comments, by e-mail.
Please note that scores should not contain your name (see below).
What will I receive?
You will receive a marked-up copy of your score(s), with detailed analysis and general comments on all aspects of your music: word-setting, melody, harmony, accompaniment, structure, liturgical usage, presentation. Feedback will be affirming and constructively critical.
With the composer’s consent, selected submissions will be recommended to RSCM Press for consideration for publication.
What does it cost and how do I pay?
- RSCM Members and Affiliates: £50 per submission.
You may request an invoice (in £ sterling) to be sent to you with your returned manuscript, or you may pay on submission by cheque or any major credit/debit card. - Non-members: £75 per submission
Payment must be included with your submission, by cheque or any major credit/debit card.
How long will it take?
For UK entries, we aim to send back the reviewed submissions within 30 days; overseas entries will take slightly longer to allow for postage time.
Will I know who reviews my work?
No. The Composition Review Service is conducted entirely anonymously. Composers should omit their names from their score(s). No information on the identity of either reviewer or composer will be disclosed, and all correspondence will be through the Administrator.