We believe that every ensemble in the marching arts community deserves the opportunity to have a show that will set them up for success regardless of budgetary constraints.  After countless personal interviews with various marching arts directors around the globe, a common trend emerged:  The frustration of purchasing an economical show that sounds great, but does not meet the specifications of the ensemble's instrumentation and ability levels.  Often times the customization of a show (or lack thereof) can make or break a successful marching band/winter percussion season.  Many ensembles with strict budgets simply cannot afford to hire custom arrangers and composers and are stuck with a show that does not fit the needs of their ensemble.  Six to Five Productions, LLC fills this void by offering the opportunity for directors to customize ANY of our shows through specifying certain rewrites during the online checkout process.  Not only do you get an affordable, high quality show, but one that fits the needs of your ensemble.

On top of filling this void, Six to Five Productions, LLC also offers services on both sides of the financial spectrum.  Directors can commission a brand new customized show written by our world class design team, or purchase one of our previously written shows without any customization.  Whether you’re just getting your feet wet in competitive marching arts or you’re a seasoned veteran, let us help you take an immense step forward in your show design needs.

John Max McFarland is an active composer/arranger in the marching arts.  He served as the Program Coordinator for Legends Drum and Bugle Corps (Kalamazoo, MI) from 2016 to 2022. From 2013 to 2015 he was the percussion composer/arranger for Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  In 2020 John joined The WhiteSabers Drum and Bugle Corps (Rochester, NY) as show coordinator and battery arranger.  He is still involved with the corps assuming roles as the percussion arranger and music coordinator.  In 2018 he was the percussion caption head and arranger for the Erie Thunderbirds Drum and Bugle Corps in Erie, PA. 

In WGI, John has composed and arranged for many ensembles ranging from Scholastic A Class to Independent World Class. Many notable clients include Eastside Fury (2012-2014), Notre Dame Indoor Percussion Ensemble (PIA Finalists 2012, 2013) Ferndale Independent Percussion (2015 PIA Silver Medalists), Farmington United Percussion (2017 PIA Silver Medalists), and Decatur Central Indoor Percussion (2018 PSCA Gold Medalists). John also composes marching band shows for high schools and colleges all over the country.

From 2014 – 2020 John was heavily involved with the Cleveland Browns Drumline acting as their Program Director, Music Composer, as well as Game Day Performer.

John is also the orchestrator for ‘Infamous’; a brand new, groundbreaking musical by Playwright David Owen Michaels, which tells the story of the Abraham Lincoln assassination through the eyes of John Wilkes Booth.

John received his degrees in Composition (B.M.) and Percussion Performance (B.M., M.M.) from Western Michigan University. He studied percussion under Judy Moonert. John has performed as the principal percussionist and Principal Timpanist for the University Concert and Symphonic Bands, as well as the University Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the Kalamazoo Symphony and Battle Creek Symphony as a substitute percussionist.

John was also a marching member of the Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps as well as the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps. John studied composition under Curtis Curtis-Smith, Dr. Richard Adams, and Dr. Robert Ricci. His compositions and arrangements have received international recognition with performances all over the United States as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia. John is also the owner and founder of Six to Five Productions, LLC a marching arts music publishing company where many of his original shows for marching band, winter percussion, and concert percussion can be found.

John resides in Medina, Ohio with his wife Sydney, his son Camden, his daughter Cadence, and his 2 dogs (Tippy and Ozark)