1. What is Samuel Reed Arrangements?

Samuel Reed Arrangements is a one-person marching band arranging studio run by band director Samuel Reed, specializing in easy, powerful music designed for small and mid-size high school bands.

I write both stand tunes and full field show music, all tailored to real school ensembles — including programs that rely on younger or junior-high players marching alongside the high school band.

My arranging style focuses on:

• Full, tutti scoring so small bands sound big
  
  

• Simple, readable rhythms that students can learn quickly
  
  

• Playable ranges for younger players, especially brass and woodwinds
  
  

• High-energy stand tunes, pep tunes, and custom field shows
  
  

• Clear, balanced voicings that work even with limited instrumentation
  
  

I also sell ready-made arrangements through ArrangeMe, and directors can request custom charts written specifically for their ensemble.

2. Do you only write for small bands?

No — I can write for any size marching band, but my specialty is creating music that helps small and mid-size high school bands sound much bigger than they are.

Most of my writing experience has been focused on:

• Limited instrumentation
  
  

• Developing players
  
  

• Bands that include junior-high students marching with the high school
  
  

• Programs that need music that’s full, exciting, and still very playable
  
  

While I haven’t yet written for large, top-tier competitive bands, the arranging principles I use scale up naturally. If you have a bigger ensemble, I can still create a custom arrangement tailored to your instrumentation and skill level — I just like to be transparent that my writing experience is rooted in realistic school-band situations, not 200-member corps-style groups.

3. What types of music do you offer?

I write a wide range of marching band music designed for real, everyday school programs. This includes:

• Stand tunes (high-energy music for football games)
  
  

• Pep band arrangements
  
  

• Full field show music (3-movement shows or custom formats)
  
  

• Custom percussion writing for both battery and front ensemble
  
  

• Simplified versions of popular songs for developing players
  
  

• Custom edits or adaptations of existing arrangements (with proper licensing)
  
  

Everything is written with playability, strong voicing, and a full ensemble sound in mind, especially for small or mixed-age bands.

4. Do you create sound effects or electronic elements for marching shows?

Yes — I can create custom sound effects, impact hits, intros, transitions, and short electronic moments to support your field show. These can be exported as high-quality audio files (WAV or MP3) and placed anywhere you need them during the show.

I focus on:

• Cinematic-style hits and transitions
  
  

• Atmospheric pads or background textures
  
  

• Short electronic moments that enhance visual effects
  
  

• Simple, easy-to-use audio files that directors can drop directly into QLab
  
  

These additions are completely optional, but they can help small bands create a much bigger and more modern sound on the field.

5. Can you help design the overall theme or concept of my marching show?

Yes — I can help you shape the musical concept and theme for your marching show. If you want a show built around an idea, mood, storyline, or aesthetic, I can help develop:

• Show titles
  
  

• Overall theme or concept
  
  

• Musical style direction
  
  

• Emotional or atmospheric tone
  
  

• How the idea carries through each movement
  
  

I focus strictly on the musical side of the design. If you need drill written afterward, I can recommend a trusted drill writer who can match the music.

6. Do you write drill for marching band shows?

I don’t personally write drill, but I can recommend a trusted drill writer who creates formations and visual design that match the music. If you choose to use the recommended drill writer, I can coordinate with them to make sure the music and visuals line up smoothly.

You’re welcome to use your own drill writer as well — the music will work with any designer.

7. Do you provide color guard choreography?

I don’t personally write color guard choreography, but I can connect you with a trusted guard choreographer who creates work that fits the music and show theme. If you choose to use them, I can coordinate to make sure the choreography lines up naturally with the musical phrasing and key moments.

You’re also welcome to use your own guard staff — the music is written to work with any choreographer or style.

8. How does the ordering process work for a custom marching band arrangement?

I keep the process simple and director-friendly. Here’s how it works:

1. Request a free quote
   
   You fill out a short form describing your band’s size, experience level, and what kind of music you need. There’s no commitment and no pressure.
   
   

2. I review your ensemble needs
   
   I look at instrumentation, brass ranges, percussion experience, and whether you march younger players so the music is written at the right difficulty level.
   
   

3. You receive a customized quote
   
   Pricing is based on your band’s size, the length of the show or tune, and how complex the music needs to be.
   
   

4. Choose your delivery style
   
   You can receive:
   
   

• Full delivery (everything at once), or
  
  

• Segment delivery (movement-by-movement as each one is finished)
  
  

5. 50/50 payment
   
   Half is due upfront, and half when the music is fully delivered.
   
   

6. Writing begins
   
   I write everything specifically for your band — no generic templates.
   
   

7. Digital delivery
   
   Scores and parts are delivered as PDFs. The files are easy to print or load into your notation library.
   
   

9. Can I receive the music one movement at a time?

Yes — you can choose segment delivery, where each movement is delivered as soon as it’s finished. This option is great for directors who want to start teaching earlier in the season or need flexibility with limited rehearsal time.

Segment delivery does not change the 50/50 payment split, but it does allow:

• Faster access to Movement 1
  
  

• Earlier staff planning
  
  

• More time for students to learn the music
  
  

• A smoother rehearsal schedule for small or developing bands
  
  

If you prefer everything delivered together, I can also provide full delivery once the entire show is complete.

10. Do you offer revisions on custom arrangements?

Yes — reasonable revisions are included. If you need adjustments after seeing the score (range tweaks, balance fixes, small rewrites, percussion edits, etc.), I’m happy to make them.

Revisions help make sure the music fits your band perfectly by:

• Adjusting ranges for younger or mixed-age players
  
  

• Simplifying rhythms if something feels too difficult
  
  

• Fixing balance or voicing issues
  
  

• Matching your stylistic preferences
  
  

Larger rewrites or major creative changes may require an additional fee and may be subject to a delay, depending on the current schedule. I always work in the order projects are booked so every director’s timeline is honored fairly.

11. How much does a custom marching band arrangement cost?

Pricing depends on several factors, including:

• Size of your band
  
  

• Instrumentation and balance
  
  

• Experience level of your players
  
  

• Length of the arrangement or show
  
  

• Complexity of the music
  
  

• Whether it’s a stand tune, pep tune, or full field show
  
  

• Percussion writing needs (battery + front ensemble)
  
  

Because every band is different, I provide a free quote based on your exact ensemble and goals. This ensures you get a fair price that reflects your band’s needs, not a generic one-size-fits-all rate.

I also keep my pricing competitive and accessible, especially for smaller programs that need high-quality music without huge budgets.

If you’re interested, you can request a quote at any time — no commitment required.

12. Do you offer early-bird discounts?

Yes — I offer early-bird pricing for directors who book their show or stand tunes early in the season. Booking ahead helps me plan my schedule and gives you the best chance at a faster delivery timeline, so I like to reward directors who secure their spot early.

Early-bird discounts aren’t tied to a specific date every year, but they are available during parts of the off-season or when my schedule is still open.

If you want to check whether early-bird pricing is currently available, just request a free quote — I’ll include any active discounts automatically.

13. Do you sell pre-written marching band arrangements?

Yes — I have a growing collection of ready-made stand tunes and marching band charts available through ArrangeMe. My catalog is still small right now, with just a couple of titles uploaded, but I’m actively expanding it over time.

Everything I publish is written with smaller school bands in mind, focusing on:

• Playable rhythms
  
  

• Full, tutti scoring
  
  

• Accessible ranges for younger players
  
  

• A big, energetic sound even with limited instrumentation
  
  

As I continue updating my ArrangeMe page, more stand tunes and show options will be added.

14. Can you arrange copyrighted music for my band?

Yes — I can arrange copyrighted music, but the director is fully responsible for obtaining the proper arranging license for their school. You do not need to wait for the license to be approved before I begin writing, and payment is still required upfront as usual.

Here’s how it works:

• You choose the copyrighted song you want arranged.
  
  

• You (the director/school) are responsible for securing the appropriate license from the publisher.
  
  

• You acknowledge that you have permission — or are in the process of obtaining permission — for your ensemble to perform the arrangement.
  
  

• I write the arrangement based on your request, but all legal responsibility remains with the performing ensemble, not with me.
  
  

This keeps the process fast for you while ensuring your school handles its own licensing requirements correctly.

15. How long does it take to receive a custom marching band arrangement?

Delivery time depends on the length and complexity of the music and on my current writing schedule. Some projects can be turned around quickly, while full field shows naturally take longer.

When you request a quote, I’ll give you a target delivery timeline based on:

• The type of project (stand tune, pep tune, or full show)
  
  

• Your band’s instrumentation and difficulty needs
  
  

• The time of year you’re booking
  
  

I’m always transparent about timelines so you know exactly when to expect your music. If anything changes — on my end or yours — I communicate clearly to keep the schedule on track.

16. Can you deliver a marching band arrangement faster if I’m on a tight deadline?

Sometimes — it depends on the project and my current schedule. Shorter pieces like stand tunes or pep tunes can often be completed more quickly, while full shows require more time due to their length and complexity.

If you need a faster turnaround:

• I’ll review your request
  
  

• Check my current workload
  
  

• Let you know whether a rush is possible
  
  

I never overpromise, but if I can meet your deadline, I absolutely will. The earlier you contact me, the easier it is to lock in a faster delivery window.