Fifty years of composition, arranging, and orchestration experience — now publicly priced, structured, and available to choruses, educators, and ensembles of every size. Build a quote below, or reach out directly for anything the builder doesn't cover.
Every commission is different, but the labor is consistent: voicing, instrumentation, length, and the craft that ties them together. The pricing here reflects that labor honestly — not client budget, not market ceiling, just the work. Show choir directors, GALA artistic directors, ACDA tenor-bass conductors, concert-choir leaders, and independent ensembles all commission from the same structure, with the costs rising naturally where the work itself grows more involved.
Scroll down to see how each category is priced, or jump straight to the interactive quote builder.
The foundation fee for any custom choral arrangement with piano accompaniment or a cappella. Applies to SATB, TTBB, SSAA, TB, SAB, or unison voicings.
| Length | Fee |
|---|---|
| Under 3:30 | $1,350 |
| 3:30 – 4:30 | $1,750 |
| 4:31 – 5:30 | $2,000 |
| 5:31 – 6:30 | $2,300 |
| Over 6:30 | $2,300 + $300/30s |
Added to the base arrangement fee when instrumental writing goes beyond piano. Each tier includes full conductor's score, individual instrumental parts, and an updated MP3 demo with full instrumentation rendered in Vienna Ensemble Pro.
| Tier | Instrumentation | Adder |
|---|---|---|
| A– | Rhythm section only (piano, bass, drums, guitar) | +$600 |
| A | Rhythm section + synth | +$750 |
| B | Jazz/pop combo (rhythm section + 2–4 horns) | +$1,200 |
| C | Jazz band (rhythm section + full horn section) | +$2,500 |
| D | Full orchestra (strings, winds, brass, percussion) | +$3,500 |
Most voicing choices are part of the arrangement's artistic design and are included in the base fee. A few specific kinds of writing involve meaningful additional labor and are priced accordingly.
Occasional divisi as needed — SATB with SSAATTBB passages where the music calls for it. Solo lines within the ensemble texture. Standard key changes, modulations, and reharmonizations.
| Modifier | Add |
|---|---|
| Fully divisi throughout (sustained 8-part SSAATTBB writing across the full arrangement) | +$350 |
| Double choir / combined chorus (TTBB + SSAA, or antiphonal SATB + SATB) | +$350 |
| Added ensemble overlay (children's chorus or descant choir layered onto primary voicing) | +$350 |
| Progressive-Harmony A Cappella (Singers Unlimited / Pentatonix / Take 6 / Manhattan Transfer idiom) | +$450 |
Modifiers stack. A fully divisi SSAATTBB arrangement in the Progressive-Harmony A Cappella idiom adds $800 to the base fee.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Part-dominant rehearsal tracks (each voice part isolated in the mix, for singer practice) | +$250 |
| Additional revision — minor (single-element changes) | +$300 each |
| Additional revision — major (restructure, re-composition, instrumentation changes) | Quoted |
| Rush delivery — 4-week turnaround | +$300 |
| Rush delivery — 2-week turnaround | +$500 |
| Rush delivery — 1-week turnaround | +$750 |
Single voice-part PDFs — one line extracted with no surrounding context — are not offered. A singer looking at a single staff, with no piano cues and no sense of where their entrance sits within the harmonic fabric, can't rehearse effectively alone. The vocal-only score included in every commission (all parts with piano cues) is the right tool for ensemble practice. Part-dominant rehearsal tracks are the right tool for individual practice: each voice is highlighted in the audio mix while the rest of the arrangement plays underneath, giving singers both their own line and the surrounding context simultaneously.
When an existing arrangement from the catalog works for your ensemble but needs to be voiced differently.
| Revoice Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Minor revoice — within the same voice-family register (SATB → SAB, TTBB → TB, SSAA → SSA) | $450 |
| Major revoice — across voice families or full register translation (SATB↔TTBB, SATB↔SSAA, SSA↔SATB, and all other cross-family changes) | $850 |
| Alternate key only — transposition with no other changes | $200 |
The quote builder below handles standard arrangement work. For these categories, direct conversation is the better starting point — each commission is different enough that a tailored quote serves better than a calculator.
Pure orchestration services — you provide the piano/vocal score, I orchestrate for rhythm section, jazz band, full orchestra, or alternate ensembles. Priced by length, ensemble size, and source complexity. Frequently requested; pricing starts at $800.
Commissioned ground-up works — not arrangements of existing songs. Anthems, choral settings, commissioned premieres, multi-movement cycles. Priced by length and ensemble; base fees start at $2,500 for shorter works.
Multiple organizations co-fund a single new original or arrangement, sharing premiere rights and commissioner credit. Available for both originals and arrangements, with clear exclusivity terms and consortium-lead structure. Minimum 3–4 participants depending on category.
Unusual instrumentation, specialty projects, hybrid commissions, educational residencies, or anything that doesn't fit the standard categories above. I'm open to thoughtful conversations about work that serves your ensemble.
Every selection updates the running total instantly. When you're ready, submit your specification and I'll respond with formal acceptance terms and next steps.
Covers standard arrangement commissions. For orchestration-only, original composition, or consortium commissions, use the contact form above.
For revoices, the flat fee replaces the length-based base. Instrumentation adders below still apply at full rate.
The full terms document accompanies every commission acceptance. A brief summary of the practical highlights:
Commissions $2,500 and under: 50% deposit, 50% on delivery. Commissions over $2,500: 50% deposit, 25% at piano-vocal draft approval, 25% on final delivery.
Standard delivery is 8 weeks from deposit receipt. The clock starts when deposit is paid, not when the project is first discussed. Rush options available.
One round of revisions is included with every commission — all feedback consolidated into one pass, submitted within 2 weeks of draft delivery. Additional rounds available as add-ons.
Commission requests are offers, not confirmations. A commission activates only after I personally accept the request and the deposit is paid. You retain the right to withdraw before that point; I retain the right to decline any commission.
For arrangements of existing songs, securing the necessary license (via ArrangeMe, Tresona, or direct from the rights holder) is the commissioner's responsibility. I'm glad to advise on the process.
David Maddux retains copyright on all original compositions and arrangements. Commissioners receive perpetual performance rights and are credited by name on the score.
The complete terms document — covering cancellation, dispute resolution, indemnification, and all other provisions — is provided with every commission acceptance and is available on request in advance.