Overture is a music notation (scorewriter) program for Windows and Macintosh platforms, published and developed by Sonic Scores.

These included adjustable engraver spacings between elements, non-standard notehead shapes, varying numbers of staff lines, guitar fingering charts, and tablature notation.

[3] It was also the first music scorewriter software that gave users control over all MIDI playback data such as note velocity, pitch bend and duration.

[7] The software enables graphical editing of all MIDI audio playback data (such as duration, loudness, pitch bend, sustain, attack/decay time, and breath control) for each individual note.

In 1994, Professor Alan Belkin of the University of Montreal published a study of notation software available at the time (dominated by programs for Macintosh).

Among other things, it described the advantages and disadvantages of the mouse- and keyboard-driven approaches to notation-interface design, which he exemplified referring to Encore and Finale, respectively, and other software packages.

Later versions of Overture also introduced a scrolling linear view, which enabled editing of both notational elements and playback data.

Greg Hendershott, CEO of Cakewalk at the time, announced, "The fact that GenieSoft founder Don Williams is the original developer of these products is great news for those customers.

In addition, Sonic Scores is known as the publisher of the Amadeus Symphonic Orchestra sampled instrument library,[5][10] which is compatible with many scorewriter programs.

"[15] Battier points out that Overture is set apart by its ability to edit MIDI playback data whilst retaining a full set of notational tools, "It is less usual to see notation programs that have substantial MIDI control implementation... Overture has clearly inherited a number of features from its older cousin, the well-known sequencer Vision... One can use the program as a MIDI sequencer while retaining full capability of editing data with a comprehensive music notation set of tools.

He praised the ability to create custom MIDI drum maps, and Overture's tool palettes, which can be put out of the way of the score workspace.

"[12] He adds that "Overture accommodates virtually every standard notational practice of Western music used by educators, professional composers, arrangers and copyists.

"[13] However, Criswell also notes that Overture version 4 "...is good but not perfect",[13] pointing out that it lacked instrument parts which are dynamically linked to the master score.

Marculescu describes Overture as "an advanced software application designed for helping composers, music educators and students create complex tabulator scores.

"[14] Marculescu sums up, "All in all, Overture includes a comprehensive suite of editing tools and symbols palettes that can be used by professional musicians in order to compose music.

Among the more advanced features of Overture which are not included in Score Writer are: cross-staff and feathered beaming; graphic view MIDI editing (although MIDI data can be edited on-score); automatic and customised guitar tablature; video playback and SMPTE time code insertion into the score; compatibility with VST and the Amadeus Symphonic Orchestra instrument library; custom engraver spacing; ability to hide individual staves; and ossia staves.