Arranging Jamescliff Music Copyrighted Publications

An arrangement is a musical reconceptualization of a previously composed work. It may differ from the original work by means of reharmonization, melodic paraphrasing, orchestration, or development of the formal structure. If you have made changes or plan to make changes to one of our compositions, you are required by law to obtain an Arrangement License.

Certain instances (stipulated below) do not constitute “arranging.” In these instances, you do not need to secure permission from Jamescliff Music Publishing to make modifications to our copyrighted publications, generally provided that the fundamental character of the work is not distorted, the modifications are not being made to avoid the purchase of copyrighted music, and such modifications are made expressly for your specific performance situation.

In other words, you do not need permission to rewrite a part for an instrument not included in your ensemble (i.e., rewriting a horn part for trombone because you have no horn) or to simplify a part to accommodate the skill level of your players (i.e., changing octaves).

If you have specific questions beyond the scope of these stipulations, please email licensing@jamescliffmusic.com.

Rewriting a work for an ensemble other than that specified in the published composition or arrangement does constitute “arranging.” In these situations you must obtain an Arrangement License from Jamescliff Music Publishing.

For this type of request:

  1. We assess a licensing fee of $250.
  2. We specify that the arrangement is for the sole use of your performance ensemble and may not be otherwise copied, distributed, rented, or sold to any other individual or ensemble.
  3. We require that the score and parts bear our copyright notice and other wording to be provided and that ownership of the copyright remains with Jamescliff Music Publishing.
  4. The arrangement may not be recorded without a separate mechanical license.
  5. We require that a copy of the arrangement be forwarded to us, when completed, for our files.
  6. We also need to know if the arrangement will be made by the individual securing the license, or if an “arranger-for-hire” will be used.

If you agree to the above conditions, please provide:

  1. The title of the work you wish to arrange
  2. Your name and contact information (address, phone, email address)
  3. The name of the performance ensemble (include website and social media links, if available)
  4. The name of the school principal
  5. The name and contact information of the “arranger for hire,” if applicable (address, phone, email address)

Upon receipt of those materials, we will execute the agreement and forward copies to you for your files. You should have this in hand before creating the arrangement.

If you wish to secure an Arranging License, please send an email with the required information and any questions to licensing@jamescliffmusic.com.