Sibelius Software gives developers the edge with Sibelius SequenceXtra

Sibelius Software has today released Sibelius SequenceXtra 2.0, a unique addition to its award winning music notation and educational product portfolio which will be welcomed by multimedia developers, research groups and publishers worldwide.

This new version of the SequenceXtra development tool is delivered as an Xtra for the widely used Macromedia Director development platform. By combining SequenceXtra with the rich multimedia features of Director, designers, developers and authors can quickly and easily develop musical software ranging from simple games and demos through to sophisticated and professionally specified music sequencers and editors.

The program allows the addition of MIDI sound capabilities to web pages and multimedia applications. New in version 2.0 is a flexible notation viewer, which allows MIDI song files to be displayed in a standard musical notation format. Developers will particularly welcome this integrated 'Score View' function whereby changes to the MIDI data are immediately visible in the score view, and the view scrolls during playback.

Sibelius CEO Jeremy Silver said, "SequenceXtra 2.0 demonstrates the technological innovation Sibelius has made its speciality. Our developers have taken the logical step to extend this flexible Xtra to include a standard notation viewer.  This powerful additional functionality will widen the possibilities of using the Xtra to even more developers for a greater variety of applications."

SequenceXtra is currently used in the critically acclaimed Sibelius Compass, a unique program designed to help students learn how to compose, which is used in many schools and colleges throughout the world. The Xtra is also used in products such as Drumsteps – an innovative music game for children hosted on the BBC's children's web site – and music multimedia software from Alfred Music Publishers and eMedia.

SequenceXtra will also be used in further product development, allowing Sibelius to maximise its creative potential and incorporate it into future innovations.

SequenceXtra is priced at $249+VAT for a single copy, or $699+VAT for a five-copy licence, and can be purchased online from www.sibelius.com/products/sequencextra.

Notes to editors

About Sibelius Software Ltd (Sibelius):

• Sibelius is the world's market leader in the music software business, with 17 music products for the professional, educational and home user, ranging from Internet publishing to guitar software.
• Sibelius has customers in over 100 countries.
• Sibelius is used in 50% of schools in the UK , Australia and New Zealand.
• Leading music companies such as Yamaha, Boosey & Hawkes and Hal Leonard all use Sibelius technology and it is endorsed by the Royal Academy of Music.
• Famous Sibelius users include: Steve Reich, Michael Tilson Thomas and John Rutter.
• Sibelius is headquartered in London , UK , with its US subsidiary Sibelius USA Inc in California.