Music notation and transcription services
A resource for community musicians
Professional transcription of handwritten music or audio into clear, performance-ready notation using Sibelius, for community musicians and emerging composers.
Do you have strong musical ideas, a hand-written score or audio, but not the tools, training or time to produce a professional score?
Are you a songwriter or composer who has the music in your head but doesn't know how to write it down?
Peta Williams Consulting can support you with this.
This is a separate service to the management consulting services detailed in other parts of this website.
About these services
1. Music notation
With a background as a musician and composer, Peta provides professional music transcription and notation services for community musicians, emerging composers, choirs, small ensembles and singer/songwriters who need their handwritten scores or songs presented clearly and professionally.
Using industry-standard notation software (Sibelius), Peta converts handwritten music into accurate, readable, performance-ready scores suitable for course applications, rehearsals, performances, or archiving.
These services are designed for:
- Community musicians and composers
- Emerging or student composers
- Community choirs and ensembles
- Singer/songwriters
- Small arts organisations and not-for-profits
- Individuals applying for courses, grants, or opportunities requiring a professional score
Services provided are:
- A professional score notated through Sibelius music notation software –
- Accurate transcription of handwritten notation
- Standard musical symbols, dynamics, articulations, and text
- Consistent layout and formatting
- Delivery as high-quality PDF (print-ready)
- An MP3-sound file
Optional services (additional fees may apply):
- Transposing your piece into another key, and preparation of the associated score and sound file
- Optional editable file (MusicXML, compatible with most notation software)
Note:
- Copyright remains with the composer.
- For legal reasons, Peta is unable to transcribe music that is not your own composition or pieces still under copyright.
What do these services cost?
Community and not-for-profit rates are available to support musicians and composers who are creating meaningful work but may not have access to professional notation tools. These rates balance accessibility with the time, care, and specialist skill required to produce accurate, high-quality scores.
Please refer to the rates outlined in the ‘Rates for music notation’ section (see below). The rates are indicative only. A quote will be provided through the quoting process.
2. Audio-to-Notation Transcription
In addition to preparing professional scores from handwritten manuscripts, Peta also offers a limited audio-to-notation transcription service for community musicians, composers and singer/songwriters.
This service involves transcribing an audio recording into a simple written score, generally piano/vocal notation with chord symbols. This transcription service is:
- for simple melody/chord transcription only
- not suitable for dense ensemble recordings
What does this service cost?
Because audio transcription requires additional listening, interpretation, and notation skills, this work is quoted individually according to the complexity, length, and clarity of the recording provided.
Please contact me to discuss your project and determine the most appropriate approach.
Rates for music notation
What do these services cost?
Community and not-for-profit rates are available to support musicians and composers who are creating meaningful work but may not have access to professional notation tools. These rates balance accessibility with the time, care, and specialist skill required to produce accurate, high-quality scores.
Please note that the rates detailed below are excluding GST.
GST must be added to your final invoice.
Community Rate Structure (Indicative)
Community rates are offered where budgets are limited, while still recognising the professional skill and time involved.The following rates are indicative only. A quote will be provided through the quoting process (see below).
1.Per-Page Rates (Finished Notation Pages) (AUD)
Type of Work and Community Rate:
- Single instrument (simple notation): $20 – $35 per page (plus GST)
- Single instrument (moderate complexity): $35 – $55 per page (plus GST)
- Small ensemble (2–5 instruments): $50 – $80 per page (plus GST)
- Larger ensemble / full score: $80 – $120 per page (plus GST)
(Rates assume reasonably legible handwritten manuscripts and standard notation conventions.)
2.Hourly Community Rate (when applicable)
For manuscripts requiring interpretation, correction, editing or editorial judgement:
- Community / emerging composer rate: $50 – $70 per hour (plus GST)
This is typically used where:
- Handwriting is unclear or incomplete
- Rhythms or harmonies need interpretation
- The score is being “shaped” as well as transcribed
Final pricing may vary depending on complexity, legibility of the manuscript, and turnaround time.
Quoting Process
To provide a fair and accurate quote, I’ll ask for:
- A scan or photo of the handwritten score
- Approximate page count
- Instrumentation
- Intended use (course application, performance, archival, etc.)
- Deadline
Please do not hesitate to contact me, either through my contact page or by email to:
peta@petawilliamsconsulting.com.au
For further information about Peta as a musician and composer, please go to her music website: https://petawilliams.com.au/
