The post title isn’t quite right, but I had limited space there.
So what would be lovely, but probably a VERY niche thing, would be the ability to enter text in a “box” (visible or invisible borders) in which scenic instructions could be placed (for an opera, for example, or Broadway show).
I actually have need of this for a Peter and the Wolf type chamber music piece with a narrator, who needs to read text that fits specifically to the music.
What would be nice is if when entering text it would respace the measure. This way, you could enter text and place carriage returns where it might give the optimal look.
The block of text would have to appear in each individual instrumental part as well (or not… it would need an option for display in parts or do not display in parts.)
I originally did this score in Finale, but the amount of manual tweaking and respacing to get things to fit was… a lot.
I haven’t yet attacked the transition to Dorico for that specific work.
But were text of this nature easier to get into a score, I’d definitely be writing a bunch of new pieces with narrator!! I loved the experience of working with both the musicians and the actor who did the narration for the premiere. It’s a really fun musical form to play with.
ADDENDUM
While I’m on the topic of text in a score…
It would be nice to be able to insert a text block and have Dorico respace taking that text block into consideration.
As an example: there is a short bit of text to be read aloud before the final movement of my Missa Brevis. It would be great to just insert the text block and have Dorico space the music above and below that text block.
Right now (to the best of my knowledge… I admit I may be missing some feature of which I am unaware) I have to use Engrave mode to move the first group of staves of the last movement, to make space for that text, yes?
I tend to try and avoid making manual changes to staff spacing, simply because Dorico generally treats it all so well.