Composer Agreement Template

This Composer Agreement is made on [Date] by and between:

Client: [Full Name / Company Name]
Address: [Address]

Composer: [Full Name / Company Name]
Address: [Address]

1. Services

The Client engages the Composer to create original music for the following project:

Project Name: [Project Name]
Project Type: [Film / Podcast / Advertisement / Game / Album / Other]

The Composer will provide the following services:

[Original composition]
[Theme or score creation]
[Arrangement, if applicable]
[Recording supervision, if applicable]
[Other agreed services]

2. Scope of Music

The music to be created under this Agreement includes:

[Number of tracks or cues]
[Approximate total running time]
[Style, mood, or reference notes]
[Specific scene, episode, campaign, or use details]

Additional scope notes:

[Insert details]

3. Delivery and Timeline

The Composer shall deliver the music according to the following schedule:

First Draft Due: [Date]
Revisions Due: [Date]
Final Delivery Due: [Date]

Delivery format:

☐ WAV
☐ MP3
☐ stems
☐ session files
☐ sheet music
☐ other: [Describe]

4. Revisions

The following revision terms apply:

☐ [Number] rounds of revisions included
☐ additional revisions billed separately
☐ other: [Describe]

Additional revision fee, if applicable: [$Amount]

5. Payment

The Client shall pay the Composer as follows:

☐ flat fee of [$Amount]
☐ hourly fee of [$Amount]
☐ per-track or per-minute fee of [$Amount]
☐ other: [Describe]

Payment schedule:

☐ deposit of [$Amount] due on signing
☐ milestone payments as follows: [Describe]
☐ balance due on final delivery
☐ other: [Describe]

6. Ownership and Rights

Ownership of the music created under this Agreement shall be:

☐ assigned to the Client upon full payment
☐ licensed to the Client under the following terms: [Describe]
☐ retained by the Composer, with limited use rights granted to the Client
☐ other: [Describe]

If a license is granted, permitted use includes:

[Describe media, territory, duration, exclusivity, or project-specific use]

7. Composer Credit

The Composer shall receive credit as follows, if applicable:

[Insert credit wording]

Credit placement, if applicable:

[Film credits / album notes / website / platform description / other]

8. Client Materials and Approvals

The Client agrees to provide the following as reasonably needed:

[Project brief]
[Reference materials]
[Video cut or timing notes]
[Creative feedback]
[Approval decisions]

The Client is responsible for timely review and feedback.

9. Warranties and Originality

The Composer represents that the music created under this Agreement will be original to the Composer except for any approved third-party materials, samples, or licensed elements specifically disclosed to the Client.

Any third-party content use must be handled as follows:

[Insert terms]

10. Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement:

☐ on [Number] days’ written notice
☐ immediately for material breach
☐ if the project is canceled
☐ under the following additional terms: [Describe]

If this Agreement ends early, the Client shall pay for services properly performed and approved expenses incurred through the termination date unless otherwise agreed in writing.

11. Independent Contractor Status

The Composer is acting as an independent contractor and not as an employee, partner, or agent of the Client unless otherwise stated in writing.

The Composer is responsible for the Composer’s own taxes, business expenses, and equipment unless this Agreement states otherwise.

12. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state of [State].

13. Entire Agreement

This Agreement contains the full understanding between the parties regarding the composition services described above and replaces prior discussions on the same subject unless otherwise stated in writing.

14. Signatures

Client Signature: __________________________
Name: [Full Name]
Title: [Title, if applicable]
Date: [Date]

Composer Signature: __________________________
Name: [Full Name]
Date: [Date]