Songburd Connect requires that publishers maintain a quality industry standard with the scores they distribute.  Songburd Connect reviews all scores and provides a general score for how a score meets these standards.  While a low score may not prevent distribution, it will make you aware of risks associated with returns or lack of sales related to your titles.  

-Metadata: Metadata is correctly displayed on cover, score and part files. Barcodes and relevant identifiers are displayed correctly.

-Music Engraving and Presentation:  Music is clear and easy to read, there are a balanced number of systems across all pages, musical instructions such as technique, expression, dynamics and articulations are clear and placed correctly.

-Graphic Presentation:  Cover content is balanced and at a good resolution for printing.  Cover displays correct metadata including title, contributors, publisher, and other necessary content based on the edition. Resolution is at least 300dpi for images.

-Written Content:  Score or book contains minimal spelling errors and clearly pertains to the content of the score or book.

-Pricing:  Editions should be priced at a reasonable rate that can allow wholesale discounts (minimum 40% wholesale discount required).

-Printed Material:  Content follows standards (size and binding) provided by Songburd Music and is of a high enough resolution so that content is clear and readable.

Quality Rating Score

1 – Very Poor
2 – Poor
3 – Okay
4 – Good
5 – Excellent

0 – Not Eligible for Distribution

Very Poor

Music formatting, engraving and graphic content contains numerous errors and/or is difficult to read and understand.
Copy contains spelling errors, is missing important metadata, and/or is not formatted clearly or correctly.

Poor

Music formatting, engraving and graphic content contains errors and/or is difficult to read and understand. While not easily sight readable, most of the content and musical instructions are acceptable and could be understood by the performer.
Copy contains some spelling errors, and metadata may have errors and/or incorrect formatting.

Okay

Music and copy content contains some errors, but does not contain issues that make performance of the work difficult. Music notation, instructions, and rhythms are mostly correct and clear.

Good

Music and copy content contains minimal errors, and is clear and is easy to read. Errors will not be noticeable or hinder performance of the music.

Excellent

The work meets a majority of music industry standards. Formatting, engraving, and graphic content is clear and easy to read. There are no, or few, errors in copy or musical instructions.

Not Eligible for Distribution

If a title is labeled as “Not Eligible for Distribution,” it means it does not meet our standards for distribution. Reasons could be low resolution images, incorrect formatting, missing metadata or barcodes. You may still be able to print personal copies if the files meet the minimum standards for printing, but you would not be able to set up distribution until the required fixes have been made. If you have questions about improving your titles, please contact support@songburdmusic.com