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Browse our most common questions below to learn how we can help your band succeed.


Getting Started

How do I choose the right show for my band?

A successful marching season starts with choosing the right show. Our proven expertise helps you create
unforgettable performances that maximize your band’s potential. Here’s our strategic approach:

1. Assess Your Band’s Skill Level – Pick a show that challenges without overwhelming.

  • Choose music that fits your students’ current ability while pushing them to improve
  • Consider past performances—did they struggle with execution or excel?
  • Be realistic about rehearsal time. A technically demanding show may require extra practice

2. Evaluate Your Ensemble’s Strengths – Design a show that highlights what your band does best.

  • Strong brass or woodwind section? Featured soloist? Powerful percussion line?
  • Smaller or younger band? Our open arrangements allow flexibility
  • Visual capabilities guide design—from intricate drill to impactful staging

3. Consider Your Performance Context – Choose a show that fits your schedule and goal

  • Competing? We’ll help design shows that maximize scoring potential
  • General audiences? We’ll create accessible, engaging performances
  • Our arrangements adapt to your venue and time constraints

4. Define Your Creative Vision – Pick a theme that excites both you and your students

  • Our music and visual themes create powerful audience connections
  • Custom adjustments ensure the show matches your unique strengths
  • Built-in opportunities for standout General Effect moments

Join the hundreds of bands who’ve had their most successful season yet with our guidance. Get perusal scores and personalized recommendations today to start creating your perfect show.

How do you determine the difficulty levels for your music?

Each piece in our catalog is assigned a grade level to help you quickly identify appropriate music for your ensemble:

  • Easy – Grade Level: 2
  • Medium-Easy – Grade Range: 2-3
  • Medium – Grade Level: 3
  • Medium-Advanced – Grade Range: 3-4
  • Advanced – Grade Range: 4-5

If you find music you love but need the difficulty adjusted, we can modify arrangements to better suit
ensemble’s needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us for guidance in selecting the right music for your band.

Can I preview scores before purchasing?

Absolutely! We’re happy to email you watermarked preview scores so you can review the music before making your decision. Just let us know which scores you’d like to see, and we’ll send them right over to help you make the best choice for your ensemble.

How accurately do MIDI demos represent the actual music?

Our MIDI recordings help you hear the musical foundations of each show while imagining how your band will bring it to life. They’re excellent tools for evaluating pacing, difficulty, and overall impact, helping you choose the perfect show for your ensemble. Like all digital tools, they serve as a reference point rather than an exact representation of a live performance.

These recordings give you insights into how different elements of the show work together, though some aspect may be emphasized differently than in a live performance. For example, front ensemble parts might be more prominent in the recording, and the overall balance may differ from what you’ll create with your ensemble. In fact one well-known composer uses simple piano sounds specifically to leave more room for your band’s interpretation.

Use these recordings as helpful guides to explore your show’s possibilities, knowing that the true magic happens when your musicians bring their own energy and artistry to the field. After all, every band adds its own unique character to the music!

Is drill included in the price of the marching band show?

No, drill is not included with our shows, but we offer two separate services to help with your visual design:

  1. Custom Production Sheets: We’ll create a detailed plan based on your band’s size, instrumentation, and vision for the show.
  2. Full Drill Writing Service: For groups wanting complete drill designs, we offer professional drill writing as a separate service.

We don’t use pre-written drill because every band is unique – what works for one group rarely translates well to another. We believe in creating custom visual designs that let your band perform at its best.

About Us

Why should I choose Marching Monk for my marching band music and design needs?

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Proven Success: Our shows have earned superior ratings at local, regional, and national competitions
  • Professional Experience: We combine years of musical expertise with practical marching band knowledge
  • Complete Solutions: From music arrangements to turnkey design services, we create cohesive shows that work
  • Customization: We’ll adapt any show to fit your band’s unique needs and abilities
  • Full Support: We guide you through every step, from selection to final performance
  • Quality: Each arrangement and design is meticulously crafted to showcase your ensemble’s strengths

Our commitment to excellence and attention to detail ensures your band gets both music and visual designs that work together seamlessly, helping your students succeed on the field.

 

Show Selections & Customizations

Can I combine movements from different marching band shows to create my own show?

Definitely! We encourage creativity and customization. You can select individual movements from any of our show to create a unique show that perfectly suits your band’s style and needs. This flexibility allows you to build a show that’s truly your own.

Can you adjust a show to fit my band’s needs?

Definitely! We offer modifications, including:

  • Shortening or lengthening the show
  • Adjusting instrumentation
  • Refining transitions
  • Altering cadence points

Some change may incur additional costs – contact us for details!

Can we change the show title or make adjustments to the music?

Yes! You’re free to rename a show to fit your theme, and we trust you’ll make any musical edits with artistic integrity.

Are your older marching band shows just as good as your newer ones?

Great music is timeless! While we’re always adding exciting new shows to our catalog, many of our proven classics continue to earn superior ratings and captivate audiences year after year. What matters most is choosing music that connects with your students and audience, regardless of when it was written.

When selecting a show, focus on finding music that:

  • Showcases your ensemble’s strengths
  • Fits your band’s skill level
  • Resonates with your creative vision
  • Engages your audience

Remember that each time a show is performed, it becomes new to that audience and those students. Some of the most memorable and successful performances in marching band history have come from shows that were written years ago.

Does the name of a show dictate its concept or theme?

Don’t let a show’s title limit your music selection! While our show names reflect their original concepts, the music itself is incredibly versatile and can support many different themes and ideas.
Remember:

  • Audiences connect with your performance, not the title
  • The same music can successfully tell different stories
  • Great music works well with various themes and concepts
  • Many of our most successful shows have been performed under completely different themes

When browsing our catalog, focus on the music first. Listen for pieces that excite you and match your band’s style – you can always adapt the theme and title to fit your vision. The show name is just the starting point; your creativity determines where the music can take you.

Legal & Licensing

I want to purchase a show. What’s next?

For music protected by copyright, we’ll need to obtain a “permission to arrange” license from the copyright holder. This typically takes a few days to a few weeks, depending on the publishing company. We’ll handle this process for you if you wish, and once we receive clearance, we’ll process your order right away.

Note: Shows using public domain music can be processed immediately without additional permissions.

What is the public domain?

Public domain refers to creative works whose copyright has expired or been released by their creators for free public use. These works can be used, modified, or arranged without permission or fees.

Most popular and contemporary music is protected by copyright and requires proper licensing for any arrangements or performances. At Marching Monk, we’ll help you navigate these permissions and ensure your show is properly licensed.

How long does the performance license last?

Your purchase grants a performance license for one competitive season. If you wish to use the show beyond that, additional permission is required.

Formats & Services

Do you provide notation files (Finale, Sibelius, XMLs, etc.)?

Typically, we don’t provide notation files, but if you have a specific need, let’s discuss it. We want to help where possible.

Can a marching band show be converted for indoor drumline use?

Yes! Most of our marching band shows can be adapted for indoor drumline. We’ll carefully arrange the music to match the unique intensity and dynamics of indoor percussion while maintaining the show’s core musical themes.

Contact us to discuss transforming any of our marching band shows into an exciting indoor drumline production.

Payments & Policies

What are your payment options?

We offer multiple convenient payment options to suit your program’s needs:

  • Check
  • Money Order
  • Credit card (4% surcharge applies)
  • Purchase Order (PO)

A payment or signed contract is required before we begin the ordering process. Need to spread out the cost? Our flexible payment plans help you manage your budget effectively. Contact us to discuss specific payment arrangements for your organization.

What is your refund policy?

We do not offer refunds once a show has been delivered. However, we may extend performance rights for another season or offer credit toward a future purchase. Contact us to discuss your situation.

What if my band can’t afford your music or services? Do you offer options for bands with financial constraints?

We understand that band programs face different financial situations. While copyright and publishing fees are non-negotiable, we’re committed to finding solutions that work within your budget. We can discuss payment plans and other options to help make our music accessible for your program. Please contact us – we want to help make this work for your band!