#264: Copyright Considerations with Music Notation Software

The musical world (both in music education, technology, and music ministry) has been adjusting to the reality of a world without Finale. It’s been a guiding post in music notation software for many musicians. It’s the software I learned on in music school. But sadly, after announcing last year that MakeMusic (Finale’s parent company) would no longer support new software updates, it was time to begin shopping for another option. Today’s episode of Ministry Monday features the prelude to a 4-part series on music notation software that NPM offered in the spring of 2024. While we invite you to watch all sessions if you’re an NPM member (as it is a membership benefit), we offer a segment of the first episode which featured a discussion on copyright licensing within the paradigm of music notation software. To put it bluntly, we ask: are we allowed to re-engrave on music notation software, for the sake of a unified worship aid? If so, how do we report? And many more questions. For more information on Dorico, a music notation software which has become the frontrunner for Finale’s replacement, check out the article written by Tony Ward in the July edition of Pastoral Music magazine. It’s a resource that’s yet another benefit of an NPM membership. (Have I sold you on renewing your membership yet?)