Concert Band and Full Orchestra Scores

Scores are PDF documents and will be easily opened and printed in Adobe Acrobat Reader.  Acrobat is the industry standard application for PDF files and is probably already installed on your computer.  If not, It is available for both Windows and Mac free of charge here.

Note:  These instructions are for Adobe Acrobat Pro and work with my printer, currently an Epson WF-7840 series.  There are many printers and printer driver versions out there that I have no way to guarantee these steps/settings will work with all of them.  If you have difficulty printing, make sure you have the latest version of firmware for your printer and consult the online support for your make and model.

Scores are formatted for portrait orientation on 11 x 17 paper for easy reading, especially if you’ve got old eyes like me.  If you’re fortunate enough to not fall in that category, be patient.  You’ll thank me later.  For best results, use 28lb or 32lb paper or 70lb Text paper.  These can all be found online at paper dealers or on Amazon.

Use the following settings in Acrobat and the operating system’s print dialog:

• • Print Sizing and Handling
    • Size:  Actual size:  select
    • Choose paper source by PDF paper size:  select
    • Print on both sides of paper:  select
    • Flip on long edge:  select
    • Orientation:  Portrait
  • Page Setup (operating system’s print dialog – ignore warning from Acrobat)
    • Format For:  <select your printer>
    • Paper Size:  Tabloid (11 x 17)
    • Orientation:  Portrait
  • Printer…  (operating system’s print dialog – ignore warning from Acrobat)
    • Double-sided:  On
    • Media & Quality
      • Quality:  Best

This should print a double-sided 11 x 17 portrait-orientated score ready for coil binding on the left long edge.  The licensee information is stamped at the bottom on even pages to verify this is a valid copy purchased by you for your organization.

Parts (Instrumental)

Parts are formatted for landscape orientation in a booklet layout on 11 x 17 paper ready for the traditional backwards fold in the center.  This creates side by side 8.5 x 11 pages on each sheet.

Use the following settings in Acrobat and the operating system’s print dialog:

• • Print Sizing and Handling
    • Size:  Actual size:  select
    • Print on both sides of paper:  select
    • Flip on long edge:  select
    • Orientation:  Portrait
  • Page Setup (operating system’s print dialog – ignore warning from Acrobat)
    • Format For:  <select your printer>
    • Paper Size:  Tabloid (11 x 17)
    • Orientation:  Portrait
  • Printer…  (operating system’s print dialog – ignore warning from Acrobat)
    • Double-sided:  On
    • Media & Quality
      • Quality:  Best
    • Layout
      • Pages per Sheet:  2

This should print a double-sided 11 x 17 portrait-orientated part with 2 pages per side, ready to fold outward (away from you) in order to lay correctly on the music stand.  A helpful and inexpensive tool for making a nice crease for the fold in the page is called a “bone”.  You can find them on Amazon.

String Orchestra, Choral, Chamber Groups (Instrumental and Vocal Solos/Ensembles), Piano and Organ Scores

Scores are formatted for portrait orientation on 11 x 17 paper as two 8.5 x 11 double-sided pages per sheet.  These will be printed as a booklet with a saddle stitch (stapled) binding.  The download file with “booklet” in the title is already formatted and ready to print on 11 x 17 paper.