I haven't checked recently, but the last time I looked the "freeby" version from Coda would not save as midi. This is - for my uses - a "fatal flaw." For anyone just wanting to "break into" scoring, it might be an ok "throwaway" as a starter, but you're sure to want something better.

I've thought that Sibelius would be a great package - although the old one I've looked at does have a steep learning curve. Unfortunately I don't qualify for a "student discount" so it was almost $700 US - last time I looked.

John