BASCA writes to Avid Technology

BASCA has written a letter to Avid Technology, owner of Sibelius software, to ask a number of questions about how the closure of the UK office will affect users. The full text of the letter is below.

Dear Sir or Madam,

The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors has heard from several members with concerns about the future of Sibelius Software. Many of our professional members - both writing classical concert music and writing for the media - use and have used Sibelius software for many years and, indeed, some of them were instrumental in giving ideas to Ben and Jonathan Finn as the programme developed in the early years. BASCA also recognises the value of the software in educational circles.  We are also aware that our colleagues at the Music Publishers Association have also heard from their members on the same subject and will be writing to you.

BASCA gave its Gold Badge of Merit award to the Finn brothers in 2003 in recognition of the value of the programme to working creative professional composers, songwriters and arrangers.

In order that we may keep our members properly informed about your plans we should like to ask the following questions:

1. What exactly are the arrangements for the continuation of the programme once the UK offices are closed?

2. What provision will there be in the future that professional composers currently using Sibelius for classical, media or songwriting will be able to continue to do so?

3. Will Sibelius still be open for suggestions and requests from professional writers?

4. Will Sibelius continue to offer reliable studio hardware and software links (such as MIDI imports and exports and ReWire synchronisation) to allow writers to use it together with other programmes as before, especially ProTools and Logic?

5. For how long will composers be able to run Sibelius 6 on the latest developing operating systems on Mac and PC? This is asked because composers have expressed concern over the changes in design in Sibelius 7 as moving away from being a fully professional tool.

6. Is there any possibility of a change of direction so that Sibelius may continue as before, even as a minority quality product?

BASCA has held seminars in the past discussing music-writing software and, indeed, Sibelius has provided speakers.  We would also, at this time, like to extend an invitation for you to come and talk to our members after the summer break.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Natalie Bleicher

Classical & Jazz Liaison Officer