Seeking composer/arranger for software partnership

I'm looking for a musician to help me with a music education software application I am in the process of creating. I'll start out by saying this is unpaid - I'm looking for someone who can work with only the hope that we're successful and able to make money with the product. On the plus side, for any of you who have worked on indie game projects in the past and have had bad experiences, the application is up and running and ready to start showing to get feedback. And before I go too far, given the forum, I should say that I probably need to limit my options to people who are at least college age (I'm 35).

The application, which runs in a browser, is a cross between a game and a collaboration tool for student musicians. Students play their band instruments to perform songs, which are displayed in music notation, and the game listens to them through a computer microphone and scores them in real time as they play (similar to Guitar Hero, but with music notation). At the same time, the software records the performances, and students can upload their recordings to share them with their classmates. The performances are replayed visually, with the audio synced up to the notation and assessment. Students can then take recordings that have been uploaded by multiple users and, using a simple built-in mixer, combine them into a "virtual ensemble" performance.

I'm initially targeting school beginning band programs, and I'm looking for someone who can arrange small ensemble versions (duets, trios, quartets, etc) of songs that are commonly found in band method books. Much of this content is in the public domain, and there is a great deal of overlap between what all of the schools use (making it ideal material). The arrangements are made so that every instrument can play all of the parts. My application allows users to either make mixes entirely on their own or by mixing recordings with their friends. My application reads MusicXML files for the notation, and I have a tool for syncing an mp3 accompaniment to the notation.

In an effort to keep the team small, I have to be selective. We stand a much better chance of success if the team isn't overloaded, and I'm looking for people with a good set of complementary skills. I'm aware that I probably won't find someone who has the time available, but it never hurts to ask, and there are a lot of talented people on this forum.

Here are some skills that can help (I'm not imagining someone would have all of them).

* Time availability. This isn't a summer project, but an ongoing effort.

* Experience composing/arranging for band instruments - original compositions are great, too, but the focus initially is on getting a lot of content.

* Knowledge of ideal ranges for beginners

* Experience with Finale or other notation software that can export MusicXML

* Experience with making mp3 mockups of your music using sample libraries, etc. I'm currently using RealTracks with Band in a Box, and this works well for creating accompaniments quickly.

* Connections with band or private music teachers - we need to promote and get feedback

* Art/Drawing/Graphic Design

* Web Design or any programming

* An interest in gaming

* Live in the U.S. - Texas even better.

I can certainly provide guidance on any of the music related things in this list. My background is in music composition, and I have a lot of experience with Finale, instrument ranges, etc. I was actually building this application for composers, as a means to allow them to get their music performed, but it really does make more sense to start with the education market and then expand.

Thanks for reading. Please message me with any questions.

I essentially have the same credentials as you, insofar as music experience is concerned (composition background, use finale, etc.), so I don't know what exactly I'd be able to bring to the table. Are you basically looking for "hired hands" to do, for lack of a better term, grunt work (basic input etc.)?

I essentially have the same credentials as you, insofar as music experience is concerned (composition background, use finale, etc.), so I don't know what exactly I'd be able to bring to the table. Are you basically looking for "hired hands" to do, for lack of a better term, grunt work (basic input etc.)?

Thanks for the reply. The music creation requires a little more thought than what I personally at least can refer to as grunt work. While I'm targeting beginner band method songs, none of them have multi-part arrangements (duets, trios, quartets, etc.) available that I can just go grab and input. So that work takes thought, especially if we try to make them more interesting than simple harmonization. The goal is to take these songs and make them more fun for kids by letting them create interesting sounding mixes on their own or with their friends. I find it challenging to write arrangements in a way that will be playable all in one key for all instruments, especially when considering beginning students' limited range. Also, in addition to the ensemble parts themselves, I'm trying to add mp3 accompaniment tracks that spice up the playback. These aren't parts that students play, so they can be as creative and involved as the composer wants. I personally have been using Band in a Box's real tracks to create these, as I've been impressed with the quality, and it takes much less time. Of course, even with this there is a lot of creative freedom with chord progressions, style, etc. So I guess that while I'm referring to this as arranging work, I'm really thinking that it takes someone who is both a composer and someone who has knowledge of how to write for these instruments and this age group.

As for why I'm looking for help, it's simply that this is a big project, and there is a lot to do. I'm looking for a small number of people to join me, with this being a cooperative business venture. I want to build a small core group of people who are interested in the success of the product and who will thus want to contribute ideas, help with promotion, etc. I'd like this to turn into something that makes us some good money and helps musicians. But I don't think I can do it alone.