In 2021, John Eldridge and I had a 2-part episode series on keyboard programming in musical theatre, and I felt it was time to check in for a 2025 update.  Software like MainStage and Q-Lab are becoming more and more expected at even a community theatre and high school level.  A mid-end keyboard, even with a ton of sounds, just won't cut it for an average modern musical.  If you're a music director and/or a keyboardist, use this episode to make sure you're up to date.

Previous episodes with John Eldridge

Programming Keyboards for Theatre Part 2

After spending hours preparing his keyboard for an upcoming show, John Eldridge got the idea to save and rent his work to save future keyboardists the huge opportunity cost that is spent here.  He created the company Stage Sounds, a company that specializes in over 200 shows of downloadable preprogrammed keyboard files for MainStage software, with more titles each month, and additional services for other instrumentalists.

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