I provide music editing and proofreading services for publishers, composers, arrangers, academics, performers, music teachers and students. I can also typeset your music into Sibelius software to a very high standard.
Students
Your thesis or dissertation is one of the most important parts of your studies. You want to present your original work and thought at its very best.
Not only can I help you polish your writing, but I will guide you through the process of working with a professional editor. It may well be your first time doing something like this.
There are some ethical constraints and limits to what any proofreader can offer to students. In this I am guided by my membership of the Chartered Institute of Proofreading and Editing. I will not rewrite or change the style of your work. The help I offer focuses on spelling, grammar and language consistency.
I provide a specialist service for music academics which draws on my extensive experience as a professional violinist and composer. I already speak the language you will be using in your thesis.
Businesses
It’s often a good idea to bring in a language consultant to ensure that your written and digital materials are working in the best way for your company.
Such materials include business reports, marketing materials, in-house documents, training information, websites and blogs.
As a professionally qualified editor I will help you achieve good, clear and consistent writing. I can provide checks for the following:
- spelling, punctuation and grammar
- help create a style sheet if you do not already have one
- consistency of hyphens and capitals
- figures, tables and labelling
- headings and subheadings
- consistent style of dates and lists
Websites
Perhaps you are one of many people starting up their own business today. A website is an essential ‘shop window’ giving potential clients a first view of your services, as this one is doing here.
It’s a crucial first impression and I can help you make it as positive as possible. Why not show clients the same attention to detail there as you will in your actual business?
Such details include spelling, grammar, clarity of the message you want to convey, not to mention checking that those links all work and won’t lead to out-of-date content or ‘404 error’ messages.
Independent Writers
Fiction, short stories, drama and screenplays – I provide that final check and polish to your writing.
Whether you are preparing a manuscript for self-publication or to send round to publishers, you’ll doubtless want it in pristine condition. I’ll assist you in getting rid of those typos, spelling errors, punctuation problems, grammar glitches and inconsistencies.
Your style is unique, as is your author’s voice. You can trust me to respect that, so do get in touch to discuss your project and how I can help you with it.
Musicians, Composers and Arrangers
All musical performers need practical, error-free materials in order to play at their very highest levels. I will edit and proofread your compositions and arrangements, setting up the parts with good page turns and clear cues.
My years of experience playing in orchestras and proofreading for a major music publisher will ensure that your music is presented at its very best.
I can heartily recommend Ivor as an astute music proofreader and music editor. He has a thorough knowledge of orchestration and a lifetime of orchestral and ensemble playing, both of which feed into his editing and proofreading work. Ivor is renowned for spotting errors in the printed editions of many very famous repertoire works. He also brings his skills as a composer to the scores he works with: he is our Faber Music go-to person for checking a plethora of sources in meticulous detail.
Elaine Gould – Senior New Music Editor, Faber Music Ltd
Ivor McGregor, as a performer and composer himself, has more insight into the intricacies of orchestration and notation than any music editor I know. I’ve been lucky to have him look through my scores on many occasions, and have always been immensely grateful for his constructive approach. So often music editing confines itself to correcting the equivalent of spelling mistakes, but Ivor does much more than that, pointing out different ways to notate and even suggesting refinements of orchestration that I hadn’t thought of. He is an indispensable aide to composers and publishers alike.
Colin Matthews – Composer
I was extremely happy with the quality of Ivor’s work in proofing a large-scale ballet of mine. He has a great eye for detail and was punctual and efficient in getting the job done to a very high standard – the standard required for professional performances. For once in my life, I went into rehearsals not worrying about errors in the parts! I will gladly use his services again and thoroughly recommend him.
Matthew Hindson AM – Composer
Ivor proofed BBC Philharmonic’s 23/24 season brochure – he was meticulous and considered with an extremely high level of attention to detail. The proofing was done quickly (due to our tight timelines!) and Ivor was brilliant to deal with on it. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.Beth Wells – Interim Director, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
I am happy to recommend Ivor as an academic proof-reader and super-professional formatter. Ivor helped me to format and present my submission for a PhD in educational history at the Institute of Education (University College London). I was very worried about meeting the requirements for a digital presentation. Ivor responded promptly, patiently and diligently. He successfully completed the task and dealt with my anxieties and errors with good humour and intelligent understanding. He was a life-saver, and I am grateful.
Judith Rose – Teacher and Academic
I am deeply grateful to Ivor McGregor for his copy-edit of my John Joubert biography. His meticulous attention to detail has been truly awe-inspiring, combined, as it is, with a stimulating, often challenging, but always helpful approach to perceived textual ‘grey’ areas. His comments, always pertinent, combined with a professional regulation of punctuation, word-definition, footnote reference and typo identification, have contributed significantly to the presentational aspect of my ms. No praise can be too high for Ivor’s work: his friendly approach, his commitment and expertise is demonstrative of the very highest professional standard. He has my most grateful thanks.Dr Kenneth Birkin – Scholar and Musicologist