Frequently Asked Questions
About John
Is John Psathas the same person and composer as Ioannis Psathas?
Yes. Ioannis is the Greek form of John, and both names refer to the same composer. Greek-language sources may also use Ιωάννης Ψαθάς.
Buying from the store
What can I buy in the store?
The store carries scores, parts, practice tracks, and performance materials. There is also a small number of Physical Products, including CD albums and vinyl.
Are purchases digital downloads or physical items?
All products except Physical Products are digital downloads.
What currency are prices in, and what payment methods are accepted?
All prices are in New Zealand dollars. Your card is charged in NZD and your bank converts to your own currency. Payment is via Credit Card or PayPal.
Are study scores available?
Yes. Study scores are sold as separate products. The listing for Pharaoh: Timpani Concerto (study score) says that in this product you will receive a PDF of the full score, and study scores are also sold for Call of the Wild, Orbital, The All-Seeing Sky, Voices at the End, White Feather and the wind band adaptation of Planet Damnation.
Does John sell CDs and vinyl?
Yes. The Physical Products include CD albums and vinyl, among them Leviathan (CD), Leviathan (double vinyl), Good for Nothing (original soundtrack album), Modern Gods (vinyl) and the No Man's Land Deluxe CD. Shipping costs are additional and are calculated at checkout.
Do physical products (CDs and vinyl) ship internationally?
Yes. CDs, vinyl and other physical products ship internationally.
Are perusal scores available?
Perusal scores are only available for works offered for hire.
Where else are John's works published?
Some works are published by Promethean Editions, and the store has a Promethean Editions category alongside John Psathas Editions. The titles listed there include Abhisheka, Aegean, Calenture, Corybas, Kartsigar, Kyoto, Omnifenix, Three Psalms and View from Olympus, offered as study scores, performance scores, performance material and performance sets. By the end of 2028, all of John's works will be available directly from his store.
Downloads and files
What file format are purchased scores and parts supplied in?
All scores and parts are supplied as PDF files. Audio files are supplied as WAV, AIFF or MP3.
How do I receive my download?
Digital products are delivered as downloads once your purchase is complete. All products arrive initially as a download link. For example, The All-Seeing Sky Soloists' Practice Tracks says that once purchase is completed you will receive a pdf with a download link to the audio files. Larger packs state their total size on the product page, from around 410MB up to approximately 4GB.
What if a download will not work?
If you experience any issues downloading the files, please email john@jpsathas.com and they will be transferred to you using an alternative service.
What do practice tracks include?
Practice track products include multi-speed practice tracks and click tracks, usually as mp3 files, along with reference mixes. Kyoto: Player 1 (practice materials) lists a click track and a practice track at each tempo from 64bpm to 121bpm. For two of these products (Happy Tachyons and The All-Seeing Sky Soloists' Practice Tracks) the sheet music is not included in the download and must be purchased separately.
Using what you buy
Can I copy or share the scores and parts I buy?
Buying a score and parts entitles you to use them for your own performances, including by the members of your ensemble, for as long as you like. Please don't copy or share the materials outside that use.
Can a teacher or school buy a work once and use it with different students?
Yes. A teacher at an educational institution may reuse purchased materials with successive groups of students. The full set of materials should not be passed on to students who haven't bought them.
Can I post a recording of my performance online?
Performances in competitions, auditions and degree recitals may generally be posted to YouTube and social media without asking John's permission. Professional performances that are recorded or filmed need John's consent before they are uploaded or shared.
Can I substitute a different instrument, for example marimba for vibraphone?
Generally no. The instrumentation is specific to each work, and the vibraphone writing in particular depends on the instrument. Arrangements and transcriptions also need John's permission before you begin. If you're unsure, email John at john@jpsathas.com.
Works with pre-recorded audio
What equipment do works with pre-recorded audio need?
A good-quality PA for the playback, and in-ear headphones so the performer can hear the click track.
Do the live instruments need to be amplified?
It isn't essential. Amplifying the live instruments allows a bigger overall sound where that's wanted, so the pre-recorded audio doesn't have to be held back to balance with unamplified instruments.
Who operates the playback?
In many cases the performer can trigger playback from the stage. In some cases it's more comfortable to have another person run it.
Is there a Logic session I can practise with?
If you use Logic, email John at john@jpsathas.com about an additional Logic session with the audio and click already set up. It lets you start playback from any measure, which is useful in practice.
Can the audio files be used in performance as well as practice?
Yes. The audio files can be used in both practice and performance. John's strong preference is that these works are not performed below tempo using the slower practice tracks, though he understands this may sometimes be unavoidable.
Orchestral and ensemble hire
Which works are available for orchestral hire?
Contact John at john@jpsathas.com with any enquiries about rental sets for Call of the Wild (saxophone concerto), Djinn (marimba concerto), Leviathan (percussion concerto), Orbital (quadruple percussion concerto), Pharaoh (timpani concerto), Planet Damnation (timpani concerto, and timpani and wind band), Psyzygysm (concerto for vibraphone, percussion ensemble, and chamber orchestra), Seikilos (orchestral), Tarantismo (orchestral), The All Seeing Sky (double percussion concerto) and Zahara (saxophone concerto).
How does orchestral hire work?
Start by completing the Music Hire Application form on the Orchestral Hires page, giving the hirer details, the work title, the material required and the performance details. If you require further information before submitting this form please email john@jpsathas.com.
When am I invoiced, and what does the hire cover?
A hire application will be treated as an enquiry and will generally be responded to with a quote. If you accept the quote, you'll be invoiced on receipt of a signed hire application, and must pay within fourteen days of the invoice date. The material is supplied solely for the performance(s) as specified in the hire application. For multiple performances within the same hire the first performance is charged at 100% of the hire fee, the second performance is charged at 50% of the fee, and any further performances are charged at 25% of the fee.
How are hire materials delivered?
Once payment is received the materials will be dispatched immediately via email. Orchestral and band material is supplied directly as PDFs, and physical copies will not be posted. The application form also has a preferred delivery date field.
How long may hired materials be kept?
Hired materials may be kept indefinitely.
What am I not allowed to do with hired material?
The material is supplied solely for the performance(s) as specified in the hire application. Any additional performances of the same work will require a new hire agreement. The materials must not be lent, sold, re-hired, or put to any other use. The unauthorized adaptation, translation or copying of the material or the work(s) in whole or in part by any method is illegal.
Licensing and permissions
How do I license a recording, broadcast, stream or film?
The copyright reminder on the hire application states that the performance(s) must not be for or subject to radio transmission; television broadcast by network, cable or satellite; mechanical reproduction, including recording or transcription whether mechanically or electronically; reproduction with visual images by any method including video tapes, DVD, internet streaming or cassettes; dramatic interpretation; or promotional or advertising purposes, unless expressly agreed. Give your details in the Broadcast Details and Recording Details fields on the hire application, or email john@jpsathas.com.
How do I license an arrangement or adaptation of one of John's works?
Email an enquiry to john@jpsathas.com with as much information as is available, including the work title, general arrangement/adaptation intention, performance plans (performers, venues etc.), and whatever else may be relevant. John will respond with a suggested fee. Where possible John offers a copy of the Sibelius file of the original work to facilitate an easier score creation process for the arranger.
Performances and events
How do I tell John about a performance of his music?
Are you playing one of John's works? Please take a moment to use the form on the Share your performance page (or directly from here: https://www.jpsathas.com/share-your-performance) and let John know which piece you are playing or have recently played, and he will gladly add it to his online concert diary while assisting in promoting your event. If you have a photo that John could use to help promote your event, please email it to him at john@jpsathas.com. This information will enable John to list the performance on his Events page, even if the performance has already happened.
Working with John
How do I contact John?
Email John at john@jpsathas.com. That is the address to use for orchestral hire enquiries, for any problem with a download, and for photos that help promote your performance.
Are publicity materials and photos available for concert programs?
Yes. The About page has a Publicity Materials section with a short biography of 250 words and a long biography of 500 words, each offered as a Word document and as a PDF, plus four hi-res photos, two in color and two in black and white.
Does John accept commissions?
Yes. If you're interested in commissioning a new work from John, please email him at john@jpsathas.com. Please note that John's schedule is generally full for the next 24 months. If you are enquiring about a possible new work with a deadline sooner than two years away, it is unlikely to be possible. But still worth asking.