There is a fantastic thread over at the Finale Windows Forum discussing the different ways that people proof their scores before submission or first rehearsal. (there are even handouts!!)

Personally, having lived with the tune for as long as it takes me to arrange or compose, I print everything out (score and parts) and go over each measure of each staff line with a red pen.  I don’t single out a specific items, but instead focus on the measure as a whole.  I will then go back into Finale, make my corrections and repeat the process on screen at around 200% zoom.

I will never start my final proofing until I am completely satisfied with the layout before I start my finale proofing.

From the author of Finale 2005 Power! comes an updated (includes Finale 2008 information) Finale guide for beginners to professionals!

If this book is anything like Finale Power it is a must have for any serious Finale user.

Here is the link:

Finale 2008: A Trailblazer Guide

As soon as I can get my hands on it I will pass along a review!

For those Finale users that create SmartMusic files there is an updated version of SmartMusic available now!

http://www.makemusic.com/press_releases.aspx?pid=138

Primarily it looks as though the major updates are user interface improvements!

If you haven’t done so already check out SmartMusic! 

If composing is your thing, but your sick of the hours spent toiling in front of a computer trying to make it sound the way it does in your head - help has arrived.

The Fauxharmonic Orchestra is a fully digital orchestra dedicated to advancing the state-of-the-art for the digital performance of orchestral music, run by composer and digital maestro, Paul Henry Smith.

The orchestra is for hire, runs contests - the last one had a first prize fo $2,000, a professional recording and a premier by the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and even has a podcast about performing the 9 Beethoven Symphonies digitally.

Check it out - it sounds fantastic!