Sibelius Software recently introduced Sibelius Compass.

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Compass is a first-of-its-kind interactive program used for teaching music composition to students from middle school through university levels. The program covers principles of composition, and enables users to create and play back their own original pieces.

The sixth and most integral component in the Sibelius Educational Suite (SES), Compass adds composition study to products making up the suite which provide: an interactive encyclopedia of instruments (Sibelius Instruments), notes and teaching tools (Sibelius Notes), comprehensive software for ear training and aural testing (Aurelia), and music theory training and testing (Musition). Compass key topics include melody, harmony, texture and form, which are tested using 34 automatically marked quizzes. A unique educational sequencer will allow students to compose using hundreds of preset rhythms, motives and chord progressions. Although the software is targeted specifically to high school students, the built-in sequencer will be of use to all ages and abilities.

“Compass is unique and easy to use, as it combines teaching materials with sequencing software,” states Bill Reilly, President, Sibelius USA, Inc. “This new software reinforces our continuing commitment to the educational marketplace. The extensive teaching guides, worksheets and 32 composition projects will certainly inspire students to create their own music.”

Sibelius Compass can be used in conjunction with recently-introduced Sibelius 3.0 (or any version of Sibelius) to provide music notation for the compositions. It includes various music examples that can be viewed and printed as notation in Sibelius 3.0, and also used with sequencers for more advanced editing.

“Compass is the only product on the market designed to help students learn composition and fulfill MENC standards,” notes Larry Marchese, Director of Educational Markets, Sibelius USA, Inc. “It includes a number of enhancements specifically designed to make learning composition as easy as possible.”

Compass carries an MRSP of $119 and is currently available.  

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