Copyists are responsible for proofreading scores and preparing individual parts for performances and recording sessions.

What Does a Copyist (Concert and Stage) Do?

The copyist is one of several roles involved in the larger field of music preparation. Copyists, who proofread and organize written music for an upcoming studio session or performance, are one of the last in a chain of professionals responsible for creating the finished scores that musicians play.

Their goal: to create polished and practical sheet music that can be distributed to each member of the orchestra or ensemble, as well as to important figures like the conductor and music director. Copyists prepare music for everyone from members of the musical theater and film industries to record label employees and jazz ensembles.

Traditionally, the copyist receives the finished master score from an orchestrator, who received a draft, sketch, or outline of the score from the composer. However, this isn't always the case; copyists might also receive scores from transcribers, arrangers, and music directors. Once they have the score, copyists use notation software such as Sibelius and Finale to create, finalize, and bind individual parts for each musician or instrument.

While much of the job rests on aptitude with the aforementioned software, copyists must also consider various factors while producing the parts, including the location of page turns, how rests are displayed, and—more generally—how the music’s presentation will affect each musician’s experience playing it. The scores copyists produce are not used solely by performers but also by sound engineers, recording engineers, and film or music video directors.

Work Life Balance

Most copyists are freelancers, combining this work with another form of music prep, a regular teaching job, or part-time work in music prep offices, where they may have more consistent hours. Still, very few copyists enjoy a regular schedule. Work comes in at all hours of the day and needs to get done with a very quick turnaround. Rates differ based on industry, but most copyists are paid by the page.

Community

Copyists are organized and fastidious. They are dedicated and speedy, capable of receiving a request early in the morning and having it finished by the evening. Flexibility is also important, as copyists must sometimes drop the work they’ve done when a client contacts them with major changes. As this is a freelance career, cultivating networking skills is important.

Finding Work

Many copyists get their start by apprenticing under a music prep person (usually a copyist, proofreader, arranger, or orchestrator), although some develop the necessary skills by working as composer's assistants. Most copyists work freelance, making it important to develop connections and build a reputation in order to create a steady stream of gigs.

Professional Skills

• Reading and writing music notation
• Notation software: Sibelius, Finale, etc.
• Transposition
• Scoring
• Broad knowledge of instruments
• Networking

Interpersonal Skills

Copyists are organized and fastidious. They are dedicated and speedy, capable of receiving a request early in the morning and having it finished by the evening. Flexibility is also important, as copyists must sometimes drop the work they’ve done when a client contacts them with major changes. As this is a freelance career, cultivating networking skills is important.

Industries

• Film, Video, and Television
• Technology
• Video Games
• Advertising
• Artist Services
• Music and Audio Tools
• Radio and Streaming Music
• Recording Industry
• Health and Wellness
• Theater
• Live Music
• Opera
• Dance
• Orchestra, Chorus, and Band
• Education
• Arts Administration
• Journalism
• Church and Worship

Top US Cities for This Role

• Los Angeles
• San Francisco Bay Area
• New York City
• Boston
• Nashville