Peter Simcich (owner) has worked as a copyist, autographer, dry-transfer typesetter, arranger, and as a SCORE, Sibelius and Finale engraver. The first 3 notation methods are pre-computer, “fixed” methods which required one to conceive an ideal layout before pen was put to paper, as erasures were awkward, to say the least. This ability to visualize layout independently of software sets many old-timers apart from less-experienced notators who, having never had to create layout and design from scratch, may be more prone to simply accept the computers’ solutions.

A professional notator for almost 30 years, he has worked in a wide variety of styles – symphonic scores, chamber works, opera, songbooks, text books and instructional manuals, as well as piano and instrumental solo works. Among the composers whose music he has notated are: John Adams, Elinor Armer, Leonard Bernstein (the recent premiere of A Quiet Place), John Corigliano, Richard Danielpour, Gordon Getty, John Harbision, Andrew Imbrie, Scott Joplin (complete piano rags), Hans Krasa, Leon Kirchner, Benjamin Lees, Steve Mackie, Kirke Mechem, Roger Nixon, Rachael Portman, Steve Reich, Ned Rorem, Gunther Schuller, Michael Torke, Joan Tower and Claude Vivier.

Peter attended the Conservatory of Music in San Francisco, California, where he pursued harpsichord, composition, and classical guitar. Here he was privileged to study music notation and autography (a by-hand, high quality music typesetting process) with Eugene Wolf, an eminent music autographer who worked closely with the exponents of the Second Viennese School as well as Elliot Carter and numerous other modern composers.

Simcich Music Notation is located in El Sobrante, California, about 10 miles north of Berkeley. In his spare time Peter plays piano, composes, scratches cats under the chin and hikes in the surrounding hills.