Why Web Publishing?
A typical, traditional publishing house invests a large amount of money in the production and promotion of new sheet music, and those costs are passed along to consumers in the high cost of music. Purchase of an average anthem for a 3-octave handbell choir of 12 people would cost around $3.50 per copy, totaling $42 (not including shipping). This music is nicely type-set, printed on nice paper, and is worth every penny. However, there is music that traditional publishing houses cannot afford to publish due to a limited audience, high degree of difficulty, or other specializing factor. Ring Press is filling that void by providing a central location for new music in digital distribution.
Submission Materials
Submissions should consist of an Adobe(TM) Portable Document Format (.pdf) file of the music, as well as an mp3 recording of the composition or arrangement. Midi files may not be substituted for the mp3. Submissions of plain Finale(TM) or Sibelius(TM) files will not be accepted due to the technical headache of keeping up with the latest versions.
Music Formatting
Music must be clearly and painstakingly type-set using a computer program. Handwritten manuscripts are not accepted. Unprofessional type-setting, or type-setting using sub-standard software will not be considered. All music should include a bells-used chart, use measure numbers in every bar, and use standard handbell notation as found in AGEHR notation guidelines. Music should be copyrighted with the year and composer’s name at the bottom of the first page of music (Ex: © 2010 Your Name). Music should have no title page, as this will be supplied by Ring Press.
mp3 Guidelines
Audio files of your composition or arrangement should be encoded as an mp3 file in the range of 128 kbps to 192 kbps. Keep in mind that the quality of your recording is a major factor when it comes to selling your work. Also keep in mind that small file sizes are also important for those (composers and customers) without fast internet connections. This recording will be used on the website in the same way that recordings are used on demo CD’s. There is no software copyright restrictions or protection on the recording. The idea is to promote your music, not lock it down. You must own the right to distribute the recording, and a temporary Recording Rights Transfer will be required.
Evaluation
All submitted music that meets the criteria for submission will be evaluated on its artistic, creative, musical, technical, dramatic, and engaging elements. Music that meets the approval of the Ring Press editor(s) will be added to the catalog and published on the Ring Press website. Un-approved music will be removed from all Ring Press computers and disks. Composers will be contacted via email regarding the final status of their submission. Compositions are not considered solely on their “ability to sell” in order to be added to the catalog. This is because we do not have to make a financial commitment in order to publish a piece. The type-setting is already completed, the recording is made, and the printing cost is transferred to the purchaser of the music.
Composer Rights and Royalties
Composers retain intellectual copyright to their work. Ring Press assumes no ownership of copyright for music print or audio files. Composers have the right at any time to withdraw a piece from the Ring Press catalog. This is perfect for those who also would like to be published in a traditional publishing house, and would like to use Ring Press as the first release location while completing the evaluation process with another company. There are no fees for withdrawing music. Upon withdrawal from the catalog, all print files regarding the piece are destroyed. Audio files are archived unless otherwise specified by the composer. Withdrawal is not final, and music can be reinstated (with the re-submission of the print files).
Royalties for music are based upon the price of the music published. Ring Press receives twenty-percent of the purchase price, and the composer receives the other eighty-percent. Music is priced according to the instrumentation:
- 1 or 2 octave handbell music: $15 U.S. (Ring Press $3, composer $12)
- 3, 4, or 5 octave handbell music: $20 U.S. (Ring Press $4, composer $16)
- Other instrumentations are priced by Ring Press, and percentages remain the same.
Royalties are paid monthly.