Submit Sheet Music

To submit sheet music to the Canadian Music Centre:

  1. Choose the location where you would like your master to reside (Toronto or Montréal).
  2. Complete and submit the form for that location. You will receive an email copy of your completed form. (If you can’t find it in your Inbox, check your Junk folder.)
  3. If you are submitting multiple files, you MUST compress them into a single ZIP folder to upload them
  4. If your PDF or ZIP file is too large to upload (over 48MB), save it to a storage device (such as a CD or data disk) and deliver to the location you selected.  Include a print copy of the email you received.

It is your responsibility to read and follow these Procedures and the Submission Guidelines below.

If you are using notation software, please submit your works in PDF format, not hard copy. All performance materials (i.e. parts, electronic component where applicable) must be included.

As a print-on-demand publisher, we require you to ensure that layout and legibility of scores and parts meets professional publishing standards.
Consider the performers. The appearance of the music should encourage them to perform it.

Following these guidelines will help ensure the best quality of your submission:

CMC prints on the following paper sizes. Please be sure your scores and parts are submitted in these formats accordingly:

  • 8.5 x 11 inches (Letter)
  • 9 x 12 inches (CMC custom 1 – standard size for parts and study scores)
  • 11 x 15 inches (CMC custom 2)
  • 11 x 17 inches (Ledger)

Parts should be formatted in Letter size (8.5 x 11 inches) or CMC custom 1 (9 x 12 inches), to facilitate printing as booklets.

All pages (except the first) of scores and parts must be numbered. Right-hand pages (odd numbers) should be numbered in the top right-hand corner, and left-hand pages (even numbers) in the top left-hand corner, inside the margin.

If sections/movements of a work are prepared as individual files, page numbering must be continuous throughout the work (not starting at 1 in each movement).

The first printed page is normally a right-hand page. If the music of an instrumental part is to begin on a left-hand page then the part must include a title page.

A copyright notice should appear at the bottom of the first page of every score (e.g. © 2012 John Smith).

The following information should be printed on the cover page, or on the back of the cover page to make it easier to catalogue the work:

  • date of composition
  • duration of work
  • commissioning person or body (if applicable)

Revision date, where applicable, should be indicated on the first page of music [e.g. revised 2012]

Associate Composers must ensure that permission has been granted by the copyright holder of any lyrics or libretti used in a work, before submitting it to the CMC.

If your material doesn’t meet these standards, it may not be accepted.

Digital Files

  • Digital scores must be in PDF format only, not notation software files. All Submission Guidelines for sheet music should be followed.
  • If sections/movements of a work are prepared as individual files, the name of each file should begin with the number (not the name) of the movement, and should include either “score” or the name of the instrument.
  • If title pages and instrumentation/performance instructions/programme notes are sent separately from the score, they should also be in PDF format. They must use the same page size as the score.
  • Do not upload digital files that are larger than 48MB. Deliver them instead by postal service on a storage device. You may also hand-deliver them.

Printed Material

  • All scores and parts should be submitted as clean and unmarked photocopies or printouts to ensure the best quality reproduction.
  • Scores and parts must be unbound.
  • Manuscripts will be accepted for archival storage only, and will not be reproduced.
  • A Composition Deposit Form must accompany each work submitted.
  • We cannot return your printed material.

Is your PDF or ZIP file larger than 48MB? Deliver it to:

Toronto

Acquisitions Department

Canadian Music Centre
Acquisitions Department
20 St. Joseph Street
Toronto ON M4Y 1J9
ontario@musiccentre.ca
416.961.6601

Montréal

Atelier

Centre de musique canadienne
Atelier
1085, Côte du Beaver Hall
Montréal (Québec) H2Z 1S5
atelier@centremusique.ca
514.866.3477