The End of A Music Notation Software Era

After 35 years, an era in the world of music notation software has come to a close. MakeMusic™, the creators of Finale, have officially announced the discontinuation of their flagship product, a program that has shaped the way musicians, composers, and arrangers worked for decades. This decision has stirred a mix of emotions across the music community: nostalgia, sadness, and, for some, excitement about what lies ahead.

Finale was more than just a tool; it was a revolution. Launched in 1988, Finale offered musicians a powerful alternative to handwritten scores, allowing for precision, flexibility, and a level of control that no other software provided at the time. For many composers and music directors like myself, Finale was the software we grew up with, the one we turned to when creating complex orchestrations or polished sheet music.

In a pre-digital age, Finale felt like magic. No longer bound by the tedious limitations of paper and pencil, musicians were free to experiment, make changes, and perfect their scores with ease. Finale’s robust set of features allowed us to notate virtually anything imaginable. Whether you were writing symphonies or preparing a Broadway score, Finale could handle it.

For years, Finale reigned supreme alongside its competitor, Sibelius. The rivalry between these two software giants shaped much of the landscape of digital music notation and the commercial Broadway and film scoring spaces. Yet, where Finale often shone was in its unparalleled attention to detail and flexibility. It offered deep customization, complex MIDI functions, and a level of fine-tuning that became indispensable to professional arrangers, composers, and orchestrators.

However, with technology rapidly evolving, Finale’s dominance began to wane. In recent years, newer programs like Dorico (2016), with its modern interface and advanced features, have gained popularity, leaving Finale behind in terms of innovation. Dorico's ability to seamlessly integrate workflows, support collaborative efforts, and adapt to the needs of today's musicians reflected the changing demands of the industry.

MakeMusic’s decision to discontinue Finale feels bittersweet. The software’s vast history and influence are undeniable, and for those of us who spent years perfecting our craft on it, the end of Finale marks the end of an era. However, it’s also a reminder that the tools we use must evolve with the times. Just as handwritten scores gave way to digital notation, our software must adapt to new technologies and changing creative processes.

For those still using Finale, the transition to other programs may seem daunting. Learning new software takes time, and there will undoubtedly be a learning curve. But in moving forward, we embrace the potential for new workflows, fresh ideas, and streamlined processes. As we navigate this shift, it’s essential to remember that the notation software is merely a tool. It’s the ideas we create, the stories we tell through music, that matter most.

Though Finale’s journey may have come to an end, its legacy will continue to shape the world of digital notation. Many of the features it pioneered will live on in newer platforms, and the impact it had on the way we create music cannot be overstated. The future of music notation may look different, but it’s a future filled with possibility. We are on the cusp of new innovations, and while saying goodbye to Finale may feel like the end of an era, it’s also the beginning of something new.