Sibelius Joins the Fight to Save Music Education

Sibelius Software Ltd., one of the world’s leading music software companies, has joined forces with SupportMusic.com. Launched by the Music Education Coalition, (an entity formed by NAMM, the International Music Products Association and MENC, the National Association for Music Education), SupportMusic.com comprises more than 90 music and arts organizations that represent close to seven million individuals. Musicians have also come aboard to support the cause, including the Goo Goo Dolls, Bob McGrath and Will Turpin of Collective Soul.

Visitors to the popular website can learn how to address the specific challenges faced by schools in their communities and gain access to the tools and information needed to take action on behalf of their children's education. The "Build Your Case" resource answers questions about the value of music as a core academic subject and targets budget issues and other concerns, while the chat forum, "CounterPoint," authored by music education advocacy expert Dr. John Benham, offers insights on preserving music education, links to relevant sources and occasional feedback from other music advocates.

"Producing software to improve music education doesn’t do much good if the classes aren’t even being offered," states Philip Nicol, COO, Sibelius USA, Inc. "There are two trends here running in opposite directions: we know more than ever about how much active music-making benefits young brains, but school music programs are suffering all across the country. It's often presented as a question of money, but it's really about priorities. The coalition behind SupportMusic.com is making a real difference, and we feel it's our duty at Sibelius to be a part of that effort."

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Sibelius Is Part Of The Big Picture For Disney’s Booker White

Until recently, a music copyist's job relied almost exclusively on his or her calligraphy skills and the ability to decipher composers' (often illegible) manuscripts. And, although notation, transposition and arranging skills are still de rigueur, today's job description now requires a working knowledge of computers and software-based notation programs.

Nowhere is that requirement more prevalent than in the film and television industries, where fast-paced production schedules are a way of life, and where sheet music must be completed and on the stands in time to be recorded—often hours after changes and approvals. Booker White, Supervisor of Music Preparation and Director of Library Services for the Walt Disney Company, has seen—and has successfully adapted—to those changes first-hand in his 25 years as a copyist, and counts Sibelius 4 as one of his most valuable tools.

"The time-saving element is tremendous," says White, whose recent projects include Mission Impossible III, Brother Bear and Pirates of the Caribbean II for Walt Disney Pictures, along with Lost, Desperate Housewives, Alias, and Commander in Chief for Touchstone Television. "We may have a recording session scheduled for a Friday and have no music until late Thursday or early Friday morning, and it starts pouring in from then until the session. The size of the ensembles varies anywhere from a rhythm section with a few horns to something like MI:3, which had an 111-piece orchestra. Our ensembles average between 75 and 95 pieces, so when we’re creating and printing out parts, time is of the essence. Here at Disney, the staff is sharp and talented, and with each project, you want a team of people that can handle the most difficult situations without being totally stressed out. A program like Sibelius helps us deal with those schedules and time restraints, and helps us work globally."

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SF Bay Area Latin Music Scene Fueled by Sibelius charts SF Bay Area’s own version of the Buena Vista Social Club is using Sibelius to usher forth the music of Singer/ Songwriter Felix “Fito” Reinoso, who arrived from Cuba in the Mariel boatlift in 1980. Fito has been at the heart of the SF cuban music scene ever since, and is scheduled to release a CD showcasing his unique sound. The CD, is scheduled for release in June 2006. The all-original album includes arrangements by internationally renowned Cuban pianist Omar Sosa, as well as Gerardo Borras, Patricio Angulo and Jason Moen.  Felix "Fito” Reinoso, leader of "Ritmo y Armonia" and singer songwriter, is a talented Cuban sonero. At a very young age, Fito began playing tres and bass in the streets of Candekaria, in the province of Pinar del Rio. He joined Orquesta Gloria de Cuba at the age of 12.

A Proud Mariel, he arrived to the United States in 1980 and soon began impacting the thriving Bay Area Latin Music scene. Fito has played with Cuban legends such as Francisco Aguabella, Armando Pereza, Carlos "Patato" Valdez and Israel Lopez "Cachao", among many others. He has integrated the unique sounds of the many talented local musicians without ever loosing his strong ties with Cuba.  Fito’s pianist, Jason Moen does all of his arranging using Sibelius, and a sample of his arrangement of Reinoso’s “Tu Voz” as well as more information about Reinoso can be found at his website- www.jasonmoen.com Moen’s own group, Parallel 23, has begun exporting the San Francisco electro cuban funk sound around the west coast. Its rhythm section includes members of Jesus Diaz’s QBA and David Grisman’s Quintet. Moen has quickly grown dependent on Sibelius 4 and particularly the Dynamic Parts feature to write out the complex and constantly evolving arrangements, which he jokes “they eventually deconstruct live.”  Their debut CD “P23” will be released the first week of May 2006. More info at www.parallel23.com