The Demise of Personal Composer Files 🙁
Welp. It had to happen eventually. I’m sorry. Truly. Here’s the synopsis of the tl:dr verson:
No new Personal Composer files will be added to this site in the future.
Existing ones will stay until further notice, though there’s no guarantee they will work on current/future operating systems.
Dorico files will be posted from now on and can be opened/transposed using the free Dorico SE program found here.
Here’s the long version:
Personal Composer, the notation software I used since the DOS days, (yes, I’m that old) closed up shop in 2014. That’s over a decade ago. Using software that hasn’t been updated in a decade is one of those “do this at your peril, you fool!” things.
I tried in vain to find a program as user-friendly, so when Finale (which I own but rarely use because it’s one of the world’s least user-friendly programs) closed up shop recently and offered us all a discounted switch to Dorico, I gave it a try.
It has its quirks, but I like it. It’s full of a bunch of bells and whistles I don’t need, but it does what I want.
Dorico offers a freebie called DoricoSE, which (they claim–fingers crossed) will transpose Dorico Pro files, so I’ll post these from now on. Making transposable files available *still* gives me indigestion. It’s just full of pitfalls… accompaniments that growl… accompaniments that tinkle… accompaniments that become just plain dull in other keys… ***shiver*** … but hey, I love you guys so transpose away. Just be careful.
Since the documentation for Dorico SE is available from the Steinberg site I won’t go into its mechanics here. It is, unfortunately, a little more complicated than Personal Composer was. Ah, progress.
The .pc files will stay until further notice, but if there’s something you just can’t live without, I suggest you download it, transpose it to your liking, and print it for your files. (Print it to PDF. Store it on your computer. Save a tree.) I can’t guarantee how much longer these files will continue to work as operating systems evolve.
I guess you could call this the end of an era. Just don’t call it the end of the prehistoric era. I’m that old, I just don’t like to be reminded. 😉
So goes “progress”! Ha ha, don’t really love all the latest, “supposedly greatest”, – my feeling is if it works, why “fix it”. Joke is on me. The technology world is fabulous, BUT ——- not a fan of “constant change”. There are reasons, I am sure – and I definitely can’t figure it all out, but do we be thankful for the new or complain??!!! Probably some of both. We definitely don’t want to go back to “no technology”. Like everything else, it can be “for good” or ??? I as one, cannot fight it, and that would accomplish much wasted time. I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for “sharing your music” with the world! I will always play your songs for primary and Sacrament Meeting prelude, postlude!!! You and your talents are gifts to us all!!! You have blessed many of us!
YOU are amazing and have changed the world for the better!!! THANK YOU!!!
I’m amazed at how many Sally Deford fans feel as I do about you and your music. Heavenly Father blessed you with unusually outstanding musical talents and you, in turn, have blessed us. Thank you.
Thank you for your beautiful music. Your compositions are inspirational. The technology changes are sad when they lose. You have blessed thousands of people with your music.
Wow, you need to progress to go backwards! (Didn’t Gene Wilder as Willie Wonka say that? “You need to go forward to go back.”) I love your beautiful music, I will be PDFing my favorites. Bless you for sharing your talents with the world.
I also wish to thank you for your beautiful music. Your spiritual beauty, and your gift of giving, make a truly rich present for all to have. I have enjoyed your offerings for many years, and they are also an incentive fpr my composing attempts. Love to all who make these gifts possible.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful music. We have used your music pieces for our church choir many times. We are a small church and do not have a music budget.
Len uses Sibelius (as in composer Jean Sibelius). His only complaint is that the British program will label things differently (bars vs. measures). His favorite part is that you can hear it as you are entering the notes into the program. He had Finale at one time, too, but also found it really unfriendly. He also tried Cake Walk, but didn’t care for it, either. Anyway, thought I would pass that along. As someone whose job of 35 years encountered lots of computer changes and upgrades, I know how annoying it is to get up to speed on an unfamiliar program. But, look at it as a way to keep your gray cells up and running! No matter how your music finally sees the light of day, it will be enjoyed and touching to so many! Carry on.
Sis. DeFord, Thank you for sharing so unselfishly your inspiring music and great talent over these many years. Your music has blessed the lives of countless numbers and will continue to do so for many years to come. The divine gift of music comes from a loving Heavenly Father. Bless you for using that gift to bless and inspire all of us.
Thank you for sharing your music. I have LOVED playing and singing your music and appreciate so much that you share this gift of yours for free. When I was a young mom that couldn’t afford piano music, I found yours and it has touched my heart ever since. Thank you! PS Do you have any more piano duets up your sleeve?
Thanks for the update Sally. We know you are doing everything to get your music to the world. God bless you and your family!
That was a fun but also somewhat sad read Sally. Thanks so much for sharing all your BEAUTIFUL music.
I always look forward to your work and really appreciate all you do. Beautiful music that will last forever.
Thank you for all you have done and will do. I love your music and that you share so freely.
Haha – I hear ya – Music Graduate of 1972 from BYU here. I have just about annihilated music from my life except ONE concert a year with Jenny Oaks Baker. Loved downloading your pieces for YEARS. Yes – I’m prehistoric, too. Just downloaded my most recent BONE SCAN….how exciting is that?
Susan Rech Wilcox – BYU – BME – 1972
I really love your music, it speaks to my heart. Thanks again for sharing your beautiful gifts.
I am sorry this has happened I love singing your songs. James Loynes and I have the same ranges. So I have sung many of your songs at church events, like Sacrament mtgs and Stake Conference. I hope I will be able to figure this new program. Thank you for all you have published.
Bob Ayers
MuseScore is just as good as Dorico but FREE!
This is wonderful news! Dorico is available on Mac, so no more need for complex virtualization setups to run Personal Composer! ???
Heh… as long as this old dog can learn all the new tricks! 😉
Sally, I Love everything you write!! I met you at a concert many years ago and told you that your music “fits my hands!”
It also fits my heart! Thank you- thank you!! Keep it coming! ?