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In preparing individual instrumental parts for band and orchestra music both as a composer and a copyist for a number of years, the vast majority of my output has been printed (in the US) on letter-size paper, 8.5x11 inches. This is easy because it's a standard size for paper and printers. I don't need to special-order paper or use a fancy printer.

I'm fortunate enough to have a work commissioned by a more prestigious orchestra, due in a year or so. I don't want to sound like a novice, nor look like one. So here's the question. Do large regional orchestras in the US expect 9x12 "concert" size instrumental parts, or have they succumbed to the convenience and money-saving letter-size parts? Is it necessary for me to find a print shop that can obtain this size paper to put my best foot forward? Or is it something that no one will notice or care about, and a needless expense?

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    I think reaching out to the conductor/librarian and asking would be a great start. They may have a preferred standard/printing budget, so it couldn't hurt to ask what they use. Who knows? Maybe they all have large tablets. I will say that I find 9x12's layout looks better to me even when printed to fit on 8.5x11, but that's probably very subjective. Commented 10 hours ago
  • Oh yes, agreed. You can fit surprisingly much more music with that extra inch. It's not usually worth the added expense though Commented 9 hours ago
  • I would expect this to be spelled out in the commission in some way and also coordinating with the librarian for the orchestra seems like a good idea. Beyond that I agree 100% with PiedPiper about MOLA guidelines. Maybe not everyone will notice or care but at least some will definitely notice and care. Commented 7 hours ago
  • In Europe, we use 8.3"x11.75" (near enough 21cm x 30cm), it's called A4 size. All of my charts are printed on that size. Although gradually, players are tending to use tablets, which ironically, are even smaller. Commented 19 mins ago

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You should probably follow the guidelines of the Association of Music Performance Librarians (MOLA)

They specify for parts:

In North America, parts should be printed on paper at least 9 x 12 inches but no larger than 11 x 14 inches. If using the A and B JIS paper formats, parts should be prepared on paper no smaller than A4 but no larger than B4, the latter being the most common size.

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