The Finale of Finale (yeah, I said it)

The Finale of Finale (yeah, I said it)

Articles, Events, News, Observations


Today marks a significant transition in the world of music composition and notation. MakeMusic, the company behind Finale, one of the most venerable names in music notation software, has announced the discontinuation of its flagship product. This decision, effective immediately, has sent ripples through the music community, leaving many users, from hobbyists to professional composers, scrambling to find a new digital home for their musical ideas.

MakeMusic’s decision to sunset Finale, along with its associated products like PrintMusic and Notepad, came as a surprise to many. The company has not only ceased sales and downloads but has also set a deadline for support and reauthorization, which will end on August 25, 2025. This move signifies the end of an era for a software that has been a cornerstone in music education, composition, and professional music notation for over 35 years.

The Transition to Dorico
In a strategic partnership, MakeMusic has aligned with Steinberg, the creators of Dorico, offering exclusive crossgrade pricing for Finale users to switch to Dorico Pro. This move is not just about discontinuing a product but steering users towards what MakeMusic believes is the future of music notation. Dorico, known for its innovative approach to music notation, has been gaining traction for its user-friendly interface and advanced features like real-time engraving updates.

Looking Forward
For users of Finale, this announcement means more than just switching software; it’s about adapting to new workflows, learning new interfaces, and possibly rethinking how they approach music notation. Dorico, with its promise of seamless music notation and integration with other music production tools, stands as a beacon for what’s next in digital music creation. However, the transition period might be fraught with challenges, including the cost of new software, time to learn, and the emotional attachment to Finale.

Personal Recommendations for Transitioning from Finale

For those looking to transition from Finale, here are some personal recommendations based on my experience and the community’s feedback:

  • Dorico Pro: Given the exclusive crossgrade offer from MakeMusic, Dorico stands out as a direct successor for many Finale users. Its intuitive interface, real-time engraving updates, and seamless integration with other music production tools make it a compelling choice. Users have praised its workflow, especially features like the Jump Bar, which helps navigate the software efficiently. It also works on iPad Pro, which is something Finale failed to accomplish. This is the route that I am personally going.
  • Sibelius: If you’re comfortable with Finale’s complexity, Sibelius might feel like a natural transition. It’s known for its user-friendly interface, especially for beginners, and has a robust set of features for professional use. The integration with other Avid products and its long-standing reputation in music education and professional settings make it a solid alternative.
  • MuseScore: For those looking for a free alternative, MuseScore 4 offers an impressive range of features. While it might lack some of the advanced functionalities of Finale or Dorico, its community support, regular updates, and the fact that it’s free make it an attractive option for hobbyists and educators.
  • Notion 6: If budget is a concern but you still want something more than MuseScore, Notion 6 provides a good balance. It’s less expensive than the top-tier software but offers a comprehensive set of tools, including good playback quality and a user-friendly interface.

Considerations for Choosing Your Next Software

  • Workflow: If you’re deeply embedded in Finale’s workflow, consider how much time you’re willing to invest in learning a new system. Dorico might offer the smoothest transition due to its modern approach to notation.
  • Community and Support: Look into the community size and support for each software. Larger communities often mean more resources, tutorials, and forums to help with transitions.
  • Future Proofing: Think about where you see your music composition needs in the future. Software like Dorico, with its integration with Steinberg’s ecosystem, might offer more future-proofing for digital music production.
  • Cost: While the initial cost might be high, consider the long-term investment. Sometimes, the more expensive software might save time and frustration in the long run.
  • Feature Set: Evaluate what features you use most in Finale. Not all software will offer the exact same tools, so match your needs with what’s available.

Conclusion:

The discontinuation of Finale marks the end of an era but also opens up new avenues for exploration in music notation. Whether you choose to upgrade to Dorico, explore the familiar yet different Sibelius, or venture into open-source or budget-friendly alternatives, the key is to find a tool that not only meets your current needs but also excites you about the future of your music composition journey. Remember, each software has its strengths; it’s about finding the one that resonates with your workflow and creative process.

2024 Outlook & Prayer

2024 Outlook & Prayer

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2024 EVERSON OUTLOOK

Last year was the most difficult year we have ever faced as a family. Our expensive and frequent vehicle troubles were minuscule compared to what we had to face personally. We faced spiritual opposition like never before, with discouragements that seemed tailor-made just to make our hearts melt. We all believe that the Enemy wanted to take us out of the ministry and out of effectiveness for Christ.

WE KNOW OUR ASSIGNMENT IN THE BATTLE

It was Mark Twain who said, “THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT DAYS IN YOUR LIFE ARE THE DAY YOU ARE BORN AND THE DAY YOU FIND OUT WHY.”

We know our WHY: to encourage the hearts of believers in the middle of struggle. As evil overruns our country, Christians give up hope left and right, and truth dies in the street. Discouragement and despair are knocking on the doors of believers’ hearts.

Our job is to stir hearts up to faith and action through preaching the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit and creating music that reflects God’s character in creativity and joy! We ask for your prayers and partnership with us as we double our efforts and face the Enemy head-on this year.

FINAL YEAR FOR BRANDON

It’s hard to believe but it’s true that this is our last full year with our youngest son Brandon on the road with us. We’re doing some tremendous trio music these days; Brandon brings so much energy and love for the road. We are gearing up for our longest touring ever; we’ll be ministering in some way 47 weeks out of 52.

MILES HEADED TO JAPAN

After the kids graduate high school and begin their own lives, we try to give them back some of their privacy. That’s why we don’t update on what each one of them are doing. But in this case, we wanted to share with you that Miles is taking a short-term mission trip to Japan. We always want to encourage our kids to continue on encouraging others in ministry. Would you please consider donating a few dollars to help him? He is working his way there, but every bit would help!

https://givesendgo.com/GBFEZ?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=GBFEZ

50BY50 A CAPPELLA PROJECT TO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM

I began a new project where I’m recording 50 new a cappella songs by the time I’m 50 years old. I’m releasing a new video each month as well as putting those songs together in albums. The first album is complete and is releasing next month! As a special gift for you, if you pre-order by January 19, you can get $5 off. We’ll be announcing it publicly on January 20. Here’s the private link: https://beneversonmusic.com/products/a-cappella-v

MIRACLE PRAYER TARGET

We have been traveling farther and for longer periods of time in ministry. Hotel prices are skyrocketing at the same time fewer churches are holding week-long meetings and are requesting us only for single-day engagements. I think it’s time to consider returning to touring in an RV like this.

This is going to have to be a complete miracle; we have zero finances to make this happen. It will have to be 100% God! Would you pray with us that if this is God’s will He would provide this for us? It seems to be very clear that Jesus wants us to continue traveling in greater capacities and we know that He always provides for what He orders. Perhaps this is the way He will enable us to continue doing His will.

RENEWED STRENGTH & FOCUS IN 2024!

In just under 2 weeks, we begin the longest year ever of road ministry. We are so grateful Jesus allows us to be used by Him in these dark days.

God calls some people to go into dangerous situations with the threat of physical violence. We don’t usually face that, but He has called us to take on an issue that is just as deadly. The cancer of doubt, discouragement and despair is eating away at the hearts of God’s people who look healthy on the outside as they sit in church pews, but are sometimes mere days away from quitting on God. Our calling is to ENCOURAGE and LIFT UP weary soldiers in the fight.

Thank you for praying for us.

Evangelist Ben Everson

PS Daren was originally planning on a mission trip as well, but we all have decided to forgo that trip at this time.