NYC Music Services

10/15/2026

Ben Byram-Wigfield puts Maestro, the new free notation app that opens Finale files, through its paces. Simple and Speedy Entry will feel like home to longtime Finale users, and its file import is impressive, but layout and engraving still have a long way to go.

An early review of Maestro, the free app that opens Finale files: familiar note entry and strong import, but engraving still needs work.

10/12/2026

Maestro is a new, free notation editor for Mac and Windows that can open and save Finale files without Finale installed. Here's a first look at what it offers, where it falls short, and what it could mean for the future of music notation software.

Maestro is a free notation editor that opens Finale files. A first look its features, limitations, and implications for Finale users.

10/03/2026

We investigate what’s going on in a music notation file before you start changing it. From missing fonts to disappearing instruments, a discussion about where to look for answers and how to make life easier for the next person — or your future self — opening your score.

Troubleshooting notation files, from missing fonts and hidden staves to sharing scores with collaborators — or your future self.

09/29/2026

Sibelius 2026.9 lets you adjust tremolo positions independently of stems, set tie height globally, and apply voice positioning rules to cross-staff notes, among other fixes and improvements.

Sibelius 2026.9 adds independent tremolo positioning, global tie height, and cross-staff voice positioning.

09/22/2026

Flat adds Mac and Windows desktop apps and develops its own score-scanning technology. We take a first look at the notation editor and Opuscan, its standalone scanning app with export options for other notation software and DAWs.

Flat adds desktop apps and its own score-scanning technology. A first look at the notation editor and Opuscan, with exports to other music software.

09/14/2026

A summary of desktop notation software compatibility with macOS 27 Golden Gate: how Sibelius, Dorico, MuseScore Studio, Fender Notion, Notion 6, and Finale are faring on Apple's first Apple silicon-only operating system — and Rosetta's last stand.

macOS 27 Golden Gate is Apple silicon-only and the last macOS with full Rosetta support. What music notation users need to know.

09/10/2026

Muse Group has released MuseScore Studio 4.7.5, the fifth point update since 4.7 arrived in May, with new fretboard diagrams, a dozen new instruments, a macOS notarization fix, an escape hatch for the MS Basic low pass filter, and a long run of crash and engraving repairs rounding out the past five maintenance updates.

MuseScore Studio 4.7.5 is out. What changed in from 4.7.1 through 4.7.5: new instruments, a macOS notarization fix, and many bug fixes.

09/05/2026

Part 2 of our Q&A: An iPad that won't behave like a desktop, an app that has gone quiet, VST vocal and instrumental plug-ins, large-print parts, a lifetime of files to organize, operating systems to keep current with — and how any of this becomes a living.

Q&A, part 2: Sibelius for iPad, StaffPad, Cantai, world instruments in Dorico, large-print parts, archiving scores, and building a career.

08/31/2026

The new Scoring Express Lead Sheets suites for Dorico and Sibelius turn one jazz chart into concert, B-flat, E-flat, and bass-clef parts, in four house styles. Also in version 2.0: Dynamics Express, a Scoring Express-exclusive Sibelius plug-in, updates across all five suites, and web documentation.

Scoring Express 2.0 adds the Lead Sheets suite for Dorico and Sibelius, the Dynamics Express plug-in, template updates, and more.

08/20/2026

Sibelius 2026.8 finally allows custom text on the continuation and end of a line, along with proper cross-staff ties, macOS Spotlight support, and a batch of fixes.