How to submit a composition for publication:

Pelican Music Publishing is interested in new compositions and arrangements of public domain works (that is songs that were written before 1923) as well as previously copyrighted works.

Please Note: Unless you have already received permission to make an arrangement of a previously copyrighted work, it may take several months for us to obtain a print license from the copyright owner.  In some cases, the license will not be granted and we will be unable to publish your arrangement. 

Our current focus is on instrumental music, including but not limited to jazz ensemble music, brass ensemble music, string ensemble music and piano music.

Send us the following:

Full copies of the score and all the parts.  Although preferential treatment is given to works typeset with Finale or other notation programs, neatly written manuscripts also get published.  

Your name, address, phone number, email and fax number (if available).

If you are sending an arrangement of a previously copyrighted work that has been granted copyright permission or a licensing agreement, please send a copy of the agreement.  Optional:  If you don't have an agreement, please send us the name of the current copyright holder.

If your work is typeset with Finale or Sibelius, send a copy of the file(s) on a diskette or CD.  We only need the file for the score, but it is OK with us if you want to send the parts too.  If you used a program other than these, try to save the score as a "Standard Midi File" and include that with the regular file.

If a recording of the work is available, please send it.  It speeds the submission process even if the sound quality is poor and the musicianship mediocre.

Please provide a description of your composition,  any information that you would like the performer to know about your piece for performance purposes and a biography to be published with your composition..

Mail your packet to:

Pelican Music Publishing

c/o Submissions

5952 Moosehorn Lane

Rockford, IL  61109

If we decide to publish your work, we will send a contract for you to sign which will include all terms and conditions for each new composition or arrangement of public domain material.  In the case of arrangements of previously copyrighted works, the royalty percentage will be determined based on the percentage paid to the original copyright owner.  The actual percentage is determined by the copyright owner, not us.  If we decide not to publish your work, we will notify you by email.  Please send copies unless we specifically tell you to send the originals.

For more information email us at publishing@pelicanmusicpublishing.com