I have used Coda's Finale for many years and like it very much. It provides several modes of mouse and QWERTY keyboard input as well as MIDI input. I think it's also the most powerful of the publishing programs. It handles chords, lyrics, layers, instruments, staves, modes, scales, plainsong, etc. You can score anything from a lead sheet to a symphony. I'm not sure what the current price is but I think they have both a low end and a professional version now. You can get more information from their Web site.

FWIW, I bought my first copy, along with MIDI card, at a large music store. Computer and software stores never know anything about music or MIDI.

      - Mark