Comments on: The Demise of Personal Composer Files :(

By: Trevor

Trevor — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 02:08:05 +0000

I had sadly resigned myself to having to make the change to Finale after my beloved and utterly intuitive ‘Personal Composer’ was no longer supported. Like you, I started with DOS and green screen. Here I’d get friendly, helpful, humourous and prompt responses to any questions from its creator, Norman James, off in Tulsa (emailing me in Sydney). Here things just worked in sensible, uncomplicated ways. Hanging on after Norman retired. And even after he’d died.

But after giving Finale a red hot go, like, seriously, professionally, for a couple of years – I found I’d still be spending over 50% of my time navigating its endless frustrations – with Personal Composer I spent over 90% of my time just writing charts.

At some point I thought, “This is crazy,” and I went back to PC. It still works for me on Win 11, and if need be for the next Windows edition I’ll keep a legacy computer unconnected to the net just running the old software. Because it works.

Nice to hear there’s some other fans out there still 🙂

By: CatSynth

CatSynth — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 21:49:42 +0000

In reply to Gary Futral. Version 2.0.4.5 of Personal Composer?

By: Gary Futral

Gary Futral — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 04:55:57 +0000

Sorry. I have version 2.0.4.5. I mistyped this in my previous email

By: CatSynth

CatSynth — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 18:32:05 +0000

Hi there. I’m curious if you might still have the old DOS version of Personal Composer, i.e., “Personal Composer System/2″? I used it back in the day – I’m that old, too 😹 – and would love to run it again as a retro-computing project. Unfortunately, I misplaced my old 5 1/4” floppies (and not sure I could even read them if I found them).

By: Iyawumi

Iyawumi — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 14:02:37 +0000

God bless you greatly 🙏. Thanks so much for this 🙏

By: Sally DeFord

Sally DeFord — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 17:55:03 +0000

You are all so kind and understanding! I wish I were as resigned to it as you all seem to be. Alas, no. I’m still in the throes of getting up to speed.

However, the first song with a Dorico file attached is coming your way in the next few days. Fingers crossed!

By: Bonnie Lyon

Bonnie Lyon — Tue, 27 May 2025 17:01:04 +0000

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!

By: Becky Infanger

Becky Infanger — Fri, 23 May 2025 14:45:42 +0000

YOU are amazing and have changed the world for the better!!! THANK YOU!!!

By: Noel Cayton

Noel Cayton — Fri, 23 May 2025 11:16:37 +0000

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.

By: Judy Johnson

Judy Johnson — Thu, 22 May 2025 20:10:24 +0000

In reply to Sally DeFord. 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! ?