Ryan Writes Music
Custom Marching Band Shows
Designed around your students. Built for your season.
Every marching band program is unique. Different instrumentation. Different strengths. Different goals.
That's why every custom marching band show is written from the ground up specifically for your ensemble. Whether you're pursuing competitive success, creating an unforgettable educational experience, or simply looking for a production your students will love performing, every show is thoughtfully designed around your vision.
From the first conversation to your final performance, you'll have a collaborative partner committed to helping your season succeed.
01
Our Commitment
Every custom show is built on the same principles.
Original music written specifically for your ensemble
Clear and consistent communication
Honest timelines and dependable delivery
Unlimited revisions throughout the season
Collaboration with your entire instructional staff
A commitment to creating a show your students are proud to perform
02
Communication &Collaboration
A successful season begins with strong communication.
From our initial planning meeting to your final performance, you'll always know where your project stands. I believe commissioning a show should be an exciting and enjoyable experience, not a stressful one.
Throughout the project, you can expect:
Regular progress updates
Prompt responses to emails, texts, and phone calls
Scheduled meetings whenever needed
Open collaboration with your instructional staff
Flexible communication that fits your preferred workflow
Continued availability throughout the marching season
Whether you have a quick question, need a rewrite, or simply want an update on your project, I'm here to help.
03
What's Included
Fully Custom Music
Every production begins with a blank page.
Your show is written specifically for your:
- Instrumentation
- Ensemble size
- Ability level
- Educational goals
- Competitive aspirations
- Musical preferences
- Overall vision
No recycled productions. No templates. Every show is uniquely yours.
Professional Performance Materials
Every commission includes:
- Full conductor score
- Individual performer parts
- Print-ready PDF files
- Professional full ensemble audio mockup
Additional rehearsal mixes are available upon request, including brass-only, woodwind-only, percussion-only, no soloists, and other custom rehearsal versions.
Unlimited Revisions
Marching season is constantly evolving, and your music should be able to evolve with it.
Whether you need to simplify a passage, rewrite a transition, extend an ending, adjust for instrumentation changes, or make other musical revisions, edits are included throughout the season.
Design Consultation
Every great production begins with great planning.
Throughout the process, we'll collaborate on:
- Show concepts
- Musical pacing
- Educational goals
- Effect opportunities
- General production planning
- Performance considerations
Season-Long Support
Commissioning a show doesn't end when the music is delivered.
Support continues throughout the season for:
- Musical revisions
- Design consultation
- Rehearsal questions
- Timing adjustments
- Performance preparation
- General guidance
04
A Process Built Around Your Timeline
No two marching band programs operate on the same schedule.
Some ensembles begin band camp in June. Others don't rehearse until August. Some drill writers need music months in advance, while percussion arrangers or choreographers may need materials at different stages of the process.
Before writing begins, we'll establish a timeline built around your season. Whenever possible, materials can be delivered in stages to support drill writing, choreography, percussion arranging, and rehearsals without delaying the rest of the production.
The goal is simple: deliver the right materials at the right time so your season stays on track.
05
The Process
Step 1
Discovery
Every project begins with a conversation.
We'll discuss:
- Your ensemble
- Instrumentation
- Goals for the season
- Budget
- Timeline
- Musical preferences
- Source music (if applicable)
- Visual ideas
By the end of this stage, we'll have a clear vision for the production.
Step 2
Show Design
Once the vision is established, we'll begin designing the production.
Together we'll determine:
- Theme
- Story (if applicable)
- Movement structure
- Musical pacing
- Emotional direction
- Overall production concept
Planning first creates a stronger final product.
Step 3
Production Preview (When Applicable)
For productions featuring multiple licensed source selections, a custom production splice may be created during the planning process.
A splice combines your selected repertoire into a rough listening guide so you can hear transitions, pacing, and the overall flow of the production before arranging begins.
Because splices rely on licensed source material, they are available only for qualifying projects.
Step 4
Writing & Delivery
Once the design is finalized, writing begins.
Throughout the project, communication remains open so you'll always know the progress of your show.
Depending on your timeline, music may be delivered movement by movement or in larger sections to help your drill writer, percussion arranger, choreographer, or instructional staff begin their work as early as possible.
Every project concludes with organized, rehearsal-ready materials delivered according to our agreed timeline.
Step 5
Throughout the Season
The premiere isn't the finish line.
As your students develop throughout the season, your show can continue developing alongside them.
Need a transition rewritten?
A solo simplified?
An ending extended?
A movement shortened?
Those adjustments are simply part of the process.
Step 1
Discovery
Every project begins with a conversation.
We'll discuss:
- Your ensemble
- Instrumentation
- Goals for the season
- Budget
- Timeline
- Musical preferences
- Source music (if applicable)
- Visual ideas
By the end of this stage, we'll have a clear vision for the production.
Step 2
Show Design
Once the vision is established, we'll begin designing the production.
Together we'll determine:
- Theme
- Story (if applicable)
- Movement structure
- Musical pacing
- Emotional direction
- Overall production concept
Planning first creates a stronger final product.
Step 3
Production Preview (When Applicable)
For productions featuring multiple licensed source selections, a custom production splice may be created during the planning process.
A splice combines your selected repertoire into a rough listening guide so you can hear transitions, pacing, and the overall flow of the production before arranging begins.
Because splices rely on licensed source material, they are available only for qualifying projects.
Step 4
Writing & Delivery
Once the design is finalized, writing begins.
Throughout the project, communication remains open so you'll always know the progress of your show.
Depending on your timeline, music may be delivered movement by movement or in larger sections to help your drill writer, percussion arranger, choreographer, or instructional staff begin their work as early as possible.
Every project concludes with organized, rehearsal-ready materials delivered according to our agreed timeline.
Step 5
Throughout the Season
The premiere isn't the finish line.
As your students develop throughout the season, your show can continue developing alongside them.
Need a transition rewritten?
A solo simplified?
An ending extended?
A movement shortened?
Those adjustments are simply part of the process.
06
Collaboration
Great productions happen when every member of the design team works together.
- Drill writer
- Front ensemble arranger
- Battery arranger
- Color guard staff
- Visual designer
- Sound designer
- Band director
- Other instructional staff
Open communication throughout the process helps ensure every part of the production supports the same vision.
07
Deliverables
Every custom marching band show includes:
Original custom music
Full conductor score
Individual performer parts
Professional full ensemble audio mockup
Print-ready PDF files
Unlimited revisions throughout the season
Design consultation
Season-long support
Collaboration with your instructional staff
08
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom marching band shows start at $1,500. Final pricing depends on project scope, instrumentation, show length, and requested services. Every program receives a personalized quote before work begins.
Absolutely. Every production is written specifically for your ensemble, regardless of its size or ability level.
Yes. Whether you already have a complete concept or are looking for ideas, every show is built around your vision. Productions may feature original concepts, public domain works, licensed source material, or a combination of each.
Every commission includes a full conductor score, individual performer parts, print-ready PDFs, and a professional full ensemble audio mockup. Additional rehearsal mixes are available upon request.
Yes. Every project begins by establishing your program's timeline. Whether your drill writer needs music early, your percussion arranger is waiting on winds, or your band camp begins well before the rest of the season, I'll work with you to deliver materials according to your program's needs whenever possible.
That's completely normal. Marching season is constantly evolving, and revisions are included so your music can continue fitting your ensemble throughout the season.
Absolutely. Collaboration is encouraged throughout the process, and I'm happy to coordinate with your drill writer, percussion arranger, visual staff, sound designer, and other members of your instructional team.
Every production is built through collaboration, communication, and flexibility. From personalized timelines and unlimited revisions to season-long support and dependable communication, the goal is to create a show that fits your students while making the entire commissioning process enjoyable and stress-free.
The earlier, the better. Each season has a limited number of available commissions to ensure every program receives the time, attention, and support it deserves.
09
Let's Build Your Next Season
Whether you already have a fully developed concept or you're just beginning to explore ideas, I'd love to help bring your vision to life.
Together, we'll create a production that's creative, educational, competitive, and designed specifically for your students, your program, and your season.
Request a Quote