PREMIER ENGRAVING SERVICES

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Music engraver with extensive experience

Hi, my name is Frej Wedlund. I’m a music engraver with six years of industry experience and over a hundred published works. I’ve worked with publishers like Gehrmans Music Publishing, Edition Peters, and Universal. Since 2021, I work with Breitkopf & Härtel on their meticulous Urtext editions.

I’ve always had a passion for notation. When I’m working on a piece, I love making sure that everything from minute matters of layout to overarching notational practices are as best they can be. I’m well-versed in everything from baroque music to new complexity, and some of the composers whose music I’ve worked on include James Dillon, Daniíel Bjarnason, and Sally Beamish.

What I can help you achieve

If you’re looking for that extra attention to detail, a thoroughness that leaves musicians happy and saves valuable rehearsal time, you’ve come to the right place.

I have the skillset to address the most challenging situations, whether it’s matters of layout or notation.

As a composer, I’m used to getting into the mindset of the music, finding the best way to express your ideas clearly and concisely.

See my work in action

It has been a privilege to have my works engraved by Frej Wedlund. He possesses a rare combination of traits: an encyclopedic knowledge of notational praxis, an artistic eye for score design, and - perhaps most importantly - a composer’s pragmatism, the desire to find the most graceful and clear solution.

Matthew PetersenComposer, client through Gehrmans Music Publishing

See my work
in action

Survey a collection of work samples in different genres and formats

As sheet music is (usually) intended for print, and not optimized for desktop or device screens, a mix of whole pages, spreads and partial pages are presented.

Ready to take your music to the next level?

Get a quote
Completely free of charge and obligations.

What is music engraving?

“Music engraving is the art of drawing music notation at high quality for the purpose of mechanical reproduction.”1

It is indeed this, and so much more.

It’s taking your manuscript – in whatever format – and presenting it in the best way possible. It’s making sure that, when you have an orchestral performance with 80 musicians and 40-50 individual, unique parts, no time is wasted on misunderstandings and unnecessary questions. It’s giving your music the opportunity to sound as good as it deserves.

Historically, editorial work – that is, matters of how to notate things and correcting eventual errors in the manuscript – was done by separate editors. Nowadays, this is often done by music engravers themselves.

I dive into each piece as deeply as if I was writing it myself. I make sure not only simpler details like note spelling are correct, but also consider larger matters like metre, extended techniques, instrument-specific conventions, and more.

Genre knowledge
  • Orchestral music
  • Chamber Music
  • Vocal & choral music
  • Musical theatre
My Specialties
  • Exceptional attention to detail
  • Editorial matters
  • Notational expertise & innovation
What I offer
  • Engraving
  • Transcription
  • Proof-reading
  • Keyboard reduction
Fields of experience
  • Concert music
  • Recording sessions
  • Educational material

100% satisfaction guarantee

No matter what, I will revise your delivery until you are completely happy with the result.

getting started

Deliver materials in the way that works for you

While I use Sibelius for notation, no matter whether you work in a notation software, write your music by hand or work in a digital audio workstation, there is a delivery method for you. If you’re unfamiliar with exporting MIDI or MusicXML, I will guide you through the process.

Project files

If you work in Sibelius, just send me your project file.

MIDI export

If you work in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), you can export MIDI data and I’ll take over from there. I can help you add dynamics and articulations suitable for your musical ideas.

Handwritten manuscript

I’m happy to transcribe any sort of notation, be it handwritten, scanned PDF:s, or anything else.

MusicXML

If you work in another notation software, MusicXML is the perfect solution to transfer notation between software.

Got a question?
No problem.

If you still find yourself wondering about something, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Ordering & Payment

How do I place an order?

Simply refer to the contact form and I’ll be in touch with you to get you a quote.

What does it cost?

The cost of your project depends on many factors including scope, complexity, and required turnaround. The simplest way is simply to get in touch with me and I will get you a quote as soon as possible. Read more about my pricing models.

How long will my project take?

Turnaround, or how long your project takes, heavily depends on how many orders I currently have and how large and complex your order is. Fast turnaround can be negotiated with a fast delivery charge.

Do I need to pay up front?

If it’s your first time placing an order, you may be required to pay a small advance fee (in proportion to your project) before I start working on your music. This naturally counts towards the total.

Do I need to have a company to order?

If you are an individual buying my services, I have to charge Danish VAT (value-added tax) of 25%. If you are based in the EU and have some form of company or sole proprietorship, you simply have to give me your VAT number and your invoice will be reverse charge with regards to VAT – meaning no VAT is added on my end.

If you’re outside of the EU and have a company or sole proprietorship, I also do not have to add Danish VAT. Simply provide some form of documentation of your company/business activities.

Do I need to submit a Sibelius file?

You do not need to be a Sibelius user or submit a Sibelius file to order my services. Read more about how to deliver materials.

How can I use the delivered material?

You retain copyright to the PDF files and may print an unlimited number of copies.

The Sibelius project files are not included but may be had for an additional fee. You then retain rights to the project file and are allowed to make changes to the piece.

Are revisions included?

At first delivery, you will receive an initial draft, proofread and ready. You can then go over this and request any desired changes.

I have a 100% satisfaction guarantee, meaning that I’ll revise the engraving until you’re completely happy.

However, this does not include changing the musical material – if you want to change the music itself (sending a new manuscript file with changes, or a list of edits to make), this will be charged at an hourly rate, with a minimum unit of 30 minutes.

Do I need to send a finished piece?

You will, by far, get the best results and most bang for your buck, if you deliver a finished manuscript – meaning, the finished musical material, in some form or other. You don’t need to do any layout work at all if you are working in a notation software, but you should have finished writing the music. I will go through the material and address any editorial and notational issues I come across.

If you wish to submit an order while continuing to make edits to the musical material itself while I’m working on it, I have to charge the project per hour. This will also result in the project taking more hours to complete.

Music & Notation

What types of music do you work with?

I have worked on practically everything in the book in terms of notated music – chamber music, orchestral music, lead sheets, wind band, choral music, opera, music theatre, and more. Concert music is my focus, but I’m well-versed in creating materials for recording sessions. I can also help you synchronize music to timecodes when writing for film or TV.

What languages are you familiar with?

I am most accustomed to working with English, Swedish, and German lyrics. If a project requires it, I will read up on hyphenation in the specific language, at no additional cost.

I’m also well-versed at working with IPA (international phonetic alphabet).

How will my project be delivered?

Your sheet music will be delivered in PDF format. For a small extra charge, you can receive the Sibelius project file, including specific fonts used. Note that this however excludes specific, commercial-license text fonts that will have to be substituted if you wish to edit the file yourself.

Before initial delivery, you will receive a list of any questions/editorial matters that I need your input on.

The first delivery will be a proofread draft, along with a list of changes/corrections made to the material for you to double-check.

Besides anything that I may have gotten wrong, you can request any extent of revisions. I’ll then send you the final delivery. I have a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so if there’s still anything you want changed in the engraving, I’ll work with you to get it exactly as you want it.

What paper format will be used?

I will work in any paper format that suits you, including custom formats. If you have no specific requests, I will work in the format best suited to where you live, such as Letter size for at-home print in the US, or B4 for professional print jobs in Europe.

Can I have my music delivered in physical format?

My main practice is music engraving only, but if you wish to have printed sheet music delivered, I can outsource this to trusted partners. Simply detail this when you contact me.

Do you arrange music?

While I focus my practice on engraving, I’m also an experienced arranger. If you have something in mind, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

I also frequently do orchestral/keyboard reduction work.

Why does one of your work samples say © 1993, yet you look like a twentysomething? Are you a vampire?

The copyright footer indicates the year the work was signed with the publisher. In this case, I made a keyboard reduction for a work for big band, choir, and vocal soloists, originally from 1993.

Pricing Models

Your project can be priced in a few different ways. Together, we’ll work to find the model that best suits you.

Basic project

Per page

Smaller projects where the music is very consistent can often be charged per page. Exact unit price will depend on the complexity of the music.

Complex project

Per hour

Small projects with a variety of tasks, or where the music is of highly varying degree of complexity, are often best priced per hour. Don’t worry – I’ve got a vast arsenal of custom shortcuts and macros at my disposal, making me highly effective.

Large project

Per project

For larger projects, it can be convenient to agree upon a fixed price. I will go through your materials, work on a page here and there (free of charge, naturally), and extrapolate from there.

Get in touch

If you’re interested in working together, simply fill out the form below. Feel free to add as much information as possible, including budget, timeframe, the format of manuscript files, etc. If you’d like, you may also attach files in PDF, SIB, MIDI or XML formats. Files submitted will never be shared with anyone.

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1. “Music engraving”. Wikipedia.