The most important resource in my music technology toolbox is MuseScore notation software. I like MuseScore because it is user friendly and now provides almost the same quality input, playback, and aesthetic feel as professional options like Finale and Sibelius, but without costing a dime. I started composing using the free MuseScore software and its layout and operation is much easier to use and more familiar to me personally than the aforementioned alternatives which I have not become comfortable and efficient at using. I find the way MuseScore is set up and how the entry process works to be more streamlined and user-friendly, even though its capabilities may be rather more limited.

The one thing I really like about the Sibelius software and especially recommend to the serious composer is a third-party plugin called NotePerformer, which generates ultra-real MIDI playback in combination with the Sibelius platform that mimics the tone color and phrasing of actual instruments far closer than most other digital realizations of MIDI data.

The same piece entered into Sibelius and realized with NotePerformer

Another extremely helpful accessory for vocal music that I highly recommend for vocal composers, voice teachers, and choir directors is an online program called Cantamus. It takes in MIDI files written with standard notation software options and generates recordings of them with extremely convincing lyrics in Latin, English, and select other modern languages so that the composer can actually get an idea of how the words to his song will sound. This was mind-blowing when I stumbled across Cantamus several months ago as even NotePerformer only realizes the pitches and not the lyrics in vocal music!

Example of a vocal score I notated in MuseScore and realized with Cantamus