Staccato Spotlight: MaryAnne Muglia
MaryAnne Muglia
Vocalist, arranger, composer, and music educator
Over 25,000 copies sold as an ArrangeMe self-publisher
ArrangeMe member since 2021
MaryAnne Muglia is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary choral music. As a self-published composer and arranger, she has sold over 25,000 copies of her music and worked with renowned artists and ensembles. She currently sings with the award-winning vocal group, Red Letter Daze, and serves as the director of the A Cappella and Vocal Jazz programs at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Passionate about nurturing young musicians, she leads the VocaSol Community Choir and has conducted clinics and workshops nationwide.
MaryAnne’s unique blend of classical and contemporary influences, coupled with her dedication to education, continues to resonate with both performers and audiences alike.
What does your arranging process look like?
I often start by improvising either at the piano or directly into Logic, allowing myself to experiment freely before going back to analyze the results. Sometimes I work out the harmonic structure first, while other times I jump straight into improvising melodic lines. Whether I’m creating a homophonic song or layering textures for a polyphonic piece, I rely heavily on improvisation to discover singable lines that resonate. This approach blends my deep musical foundation with modern techniques, letting each arrangement evolve in its own unique way.
What advice do you have for arrangers and composers of vocal, choral, or a cappella music?
My advice for arrangers and composers of vocal, choral, or a cappella music is to always start with the voices. Focus on creating singable lines that feel natural and accessible for performers, regardless of the complexity of the arrangement. Prioritize clarity in your writing—whether it’s for a high school choir or a professional-level group, your music should be intuitive and enjoyable to sing.
Another piece of advice I have to offer I think is something we don’t do enough of—don’t be afraid to collaborate with others. Some of my most successful arrangements, like ”What Was I Made For” with Emily Drum, have come from collaborations. Working with someone allows you to bounce ideas off each other, and sometimes a concept you weren’t sure about gets validated by your collaborator. In pop music, collaboration is a huge part of songwriting, and I’d love to see more of that in choral music.
“Prioritize clarity in your writing—whether it’s for a high school choir or a professional-level group, your music should be intuitive and enjoyable to sing.”
What has been your greatest ArrangeMe success so far?
For me, I think my greatest success has been seeing how many people have connected with my music over the years. Some of the pieces available on this platform, like "Back Pocket" for SATB or “Problem” for SSAA choirs, were written when I was still in college (2014-2018). I often joke with my students that I wrote those arrangements before I really knew what I was doing, and I’m actually in the process of working with an editor to polish those older scores. It’s been so fulfilling to realize that, within all the music I’ve created, there’s a little something for everyone. To date, over 25,000 copies have been sold just through the ArrangeMe platform, which feels like such an incredible milestone!
“feelslikeimfallinginlove” (arr. MaryAnne Muglia & Rob Dietz)
Available for SATB choirs
Which arrangement are you most proud of?
One arrangement I’m particularly proud of is a recent collaboration with my friend and colleague (and fellow ArrangeMe member) Rob Dietz, on a song called “feelslikeimfallinginlove” by Coldplay. I love how the harmonies and textures came together, inspired by "choral pop" arrangements that emphasize strong singing, blend, and intonation. We also had fun moving the solo around, giving different voice parts a chance to sing the melody, which adds a nice dynamic to the piece.
Any tips, tricks, or advice you'd like to share with the ArrangeMe community on how to be a successful self-publisher?
One of the most valuable things I’ve learned as a self-publisher is the importance of putting yourself out there, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Cold emails can be an effective way to build relationships with educators, directors, and ensembles that might be interested in your work. Introduce yourself, be personable, and include links to your music—it’s a great way to get your name out there and start growing your network. In 2021, I emailed a few directors each week, and eventually, once I started building my website, I began reaching out to a few publishers for advice and input on my arrangements. I believe those connections are what led to my first published piece. I also submitted several pieces to ACDA calls for scores, which helped increase visibility and led to being published by another great company. 🙂
“Introduce yourself, be personable, and include links to your music—it’s a great way to get your name out there and start growing your network.”
Find out more about MaryAnne and her music! Follow her on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and visit her website at maryannemuglia.com. And be sure to check out to her quartet Red Letter Daze on Spotify and Apple Music!
MaryAnne is also a member of ArrangeMe Pro. Check out her Publisher Profile page for a look at her full catalog of arrangements published with ArrangeMe!
