The End of an Era: Farewell to Finale music notation software

If you are a Sibelius user, stop reading now and go back to your beauty sleep, you lucky bastard!

After more than two decades of reliance on Finale Music for creating and editing all my sheet music for trombone, big band arrangements, and compositions, it is with a heavy heart that I share the news that MakeMusic has officially announced the discontinuation of Finale, effective August 26th, 2024. For someone like me, who has been using Finale for over 20 years, this feels like the end of an era—a true finale in every sense (sorry, I had to put that in).

Finale has been the backbone of my musical work, allowing me to share my music with the world. This piece of software has been around for 35 years, and has been more than just a tool; it has been a partner in my musical journey, helping me to express and bring to life the music within me, although often with frustrations over how the software worked (or rather, not always worked as one would suppose). The announcement of its discontinuation is a significant setback, not just for me, but for countless musicians who have relied on it for decades.

Personal Impact: The Challenge Ahead

Over the years, I’ve accumulated an extensive library with thousands of pages of sheet music, all made using Finale. Finale’s upcoming death raises immediate concerns: how do I preserve my work, and how do I transition to a new tool without losing precious details? The answer unfortunately is that this can’t be done. Not in an easy and efficient way at least for any of us.

The migration process will likely involve exporting our life-altering .mus files in MusicXML format, which can then be imported into other software like Dorico. While MusicXML is a powerful format, it does have its limitations. Details, layout, markings, and much more will be distorted or missing. To put it in other words: opening up your exported MusicXML files in a new set music software will look like crap! Admittedly, the latest version of MusicXML has become much better, but we are still far from done when migrating a file. And with potentially thousands of personal file-files, it is a lifetime’s worth of work to make sure all files are in good nick in Dorico.

This is where I’d like to ask for your help: together, we can advocate for Steinberg, the creators of Dorico, to develop more robust tools that can better translate Finale files into Dorico’s format. I’ll pay for it!

If you too have precious .mus files you want to rescue, send an email to press@steinberg.net attn. Clyde Sendke (Steinberg CEO) and ask them to build a proper migration tool making it easy to move files from Finale to Dorico.

About Finale: A Legacy of Excellence

Finale was first launched in 1988, and since then, it has become a staple in the music notation software world. Its powerful features and flexibility made it the go-to choice for composers, arrangers, and educators. Despite its complexity, Finale’s robust capabilities allowed for the creation of professional-level scores and sheet music that met the highest standards in the industry.

However, with advancements in technology and the emergence of new players in the music notation software space, MakeMusic has decided to sunset Finale and redirect users to Dorico by Steinberg, a modern alternative with growing support and features that aim to meet the needs of today’s musicians.

Transitioning to a New Platform

MakeMusic has made a deal with Steinberg and offers a special crossgrade price for Finale users, allowing the to transition to Dorico Pro at a significantly discounted rate. While this is a great opportunity, the transition isn’t as simple as installing new software. Read more about the deal and the farewell letter from Finale CEO here.

Relevant Considerations for Finale Users

• Software Continuity: Your existing Finale installations will continue to work as long as your current computer remains functional. However, no future updates or technical support will be available after August 2025. This means that if your computer dies, you can NEVER use Finale again. So start making MusicXML files now!
• File Migration: While Dorico can import MusicXML files, it cannot directly open Finale (.musx) files. Exporting from Finale to MusicXML is the most reliable way to transition your work.
• Mac Users: Be cautious about upgrading to macOS 15 (Sequoia) later this year, as compatibility with Finale has not been confirmed.

Exploring Alternatives: Where to Go Next

While Dorico seems to be the most logical next step for Finale users, it’s not the only option. Here are a few other contenders, along with their pricing:

• Dorico Pro: $149 crossgrade price for Finale users. Full retail price is $599.
• Sibelius: A powerful alternative by Avid, Sibelius offers both subscription and perpetual licenses, with pricing starting at $199/year or $599 for a perpetual license.
• MuseScore: A free, open-source option that has been gaining popularity, though it may not have all the advanced features of Finale or Dorico.
• Notion: Another alternative by PreSonus, priced at $149.95, known for its integration with Studio One.

Each of these programs has its strengths and weaknesses, and the choice will depend on your specific needs and how much you’re willing to adapt to a new workflow.

Moving Forward Together

I hope to connect with others in the same situation. Let’s share tips, resources, and support as we navigate this new chapter. Together, we can ensure that our music continues to thrive, even as we say goodbye to an old friend (or enemy, depending on the day of the week) in Finale. I’ll write an article about my experiences migrating files from Finale.

Slide on and keep on writing music,
Anders Larson