<p>I've searched previous threads and believe I read something about this, however simply cannot locate it. What is the recommended way to bind/submit compositions to schools and for competitions? I know stapling and paperclips are no-go's, yet do you slip them into a folder that has a built-in clip or do you have them bound and if so, how? Any input appreciated.</p>
<p>There’s some info here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/419313-expectations-composition-applicants.html?highlight=bound[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/419313-expectations-composition-applicants.html?highlight=bound</a> in post 26, and I think there may be additional thoughts, but I can’t find them either.</p>
<p>Try looking for posts by compmom, SpiritManager, maybe Hunt or RichardHK. I’m pretty sure there are some additional comments.</p>
<p>The way I bind compositions is pretty simple:</p>
<ol>
<li>Create PDFs of your compositions in a standard 8.5x11" format.</li>
<li>Use a program such as Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, and etc. to create a template. The template should be created with an 11x17 page in landscape. The page should be divided by two columns. This gives you two 8.5x11" sheets of paper next to each other on each page.</li>
<li>Put each PDF page of your composition into the template so that when it is printed the pages are in order.</li>
<li>Have the pages printed professionally on heavy stock 11x17" paper. Use a business-quality laser printer at high resolution if you happen to own one.</li>
<li>Take the sheets of heavy stock 11x17" paper and fold them to form a booklet of 8.5x11" sheets. Use heavy staples, or any sort of special binding clips at places like Kinkos, along the newly formed spine.</li>
</ol>
<p>The result is a score book that is 8.5x11 that looks professional, is easy for actual players to use, and is inexpensive to produce. If you have ever seen a choral score then you’ll know what the end result looks like.</p>
<p>Thanks violadad and Chris P. I recall some discussion about the type of spines/binding preferred by recipients and whether to drill through all the pages (or something like that).</p>
<p>Our daughter took her scores to a copy place, and discussed it with them. They made nice binders for her Finale scores, with clear cover and plastic rings (spiral? don’t remember) on the left hand side (so yes, there were holes) so that the pages could be turned easily.</p>
<p>For her handwritten scores, which were on large manuscript paper, the copy place used heavy cream-colored paper for covers, and, again, plastic rings on the left hand side.</p>
<p>She had a cover page for the Finale scores, that showed through, and made nice looking typed labels for the cover of the handwritten scores.</p>
<p>There were some issues with the handwritten scores, and could be some issues with the Finale scores, in terms of allowing enough space for the holes and plastic rings on the left, while still allowing enough space for the score to be easily read while turning pages.</p>
<p>With handwritten scores, another issue was fitting it all on a copy, because the regular copy machine cut them off at the top or bottom. Using a fancier color copier for one copy, then making the rest of the copies on a regular copier, worked well. More than you need to know, perhaps…</p>
<p>Yesterday, she made scores for summer programs and just put them under clear report covers, again, with a cover page. But for conservatories, which ask for bound scores, she was very happy with what the copy place did.</p>
<p>p.s. for CD’s, she typed her name, program she was applying to, title, duration, musicians, whatever was asked for, and then cut a square around that, that fit the CD case. Then, she also labelled the CD’s with fine marker as requested. She cut a lot of squares that did not fit well before she started using a ruler!</p>
<p>S also used a Kinkos (or whatever they are called now). He is not a composition major - just does it on the side, so these weren’t for application purposes, but for competitions, performances, and sales.</p>
<p>For his birthday this year, we gave him a comb binder, so now he creates his own finished product.
This one, I think: [Amazon.com:</a> Fellowes Pulsar Office Comb Binder: Office Products](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Fellowes-Pulsar-Office-Comb-Binder/dp/B000MK4R6G/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1266328661&sr=8-4]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Fellowes-Pulsar-Office-Comb-Binder/dp/B000MK4R6G/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1266328661&sr=8-4)</p>
<p>Cool! It might even be cost effective over time.</p>
<p>This is what the copy place used, I believe…</p>
<p>Not sure what range Kinkos have but we used the higher quality metal ‘spring’ binding that is less bulky and more robust than plastic ring binding. Can be opened flat on table if needed (or folded back on itself too). Very neat and professional looking.</p>
<p>Each score bound individually with clear plastic front sheet, backing card/sheet, and title sheet followed by a page introducing score (S explaining inspiration and technical aspects, etc for piece.) Score itself double-sided. All done from Sibelius and MS Word printing to a PDF. Have the full version of Acrobat to compile one PDF file for printing which simplies lots of PDF work.</p>
<p>I’ll mention here what I’ve said elsewhere–if you use Kinko’s, you have to check every single page of every copy.</p>
<p>Good point, ditto with any copy place.</p>