I’d definitely prefer to have open score, but with open score I’d have five vocal lines plus piano so I could only get one staff per page. The majority of the time the TB parts are similar though. The treats are not the same in both voices, that’s my problem which sort of got fixed by adding a V2 note at the beginning of the measure. I just want to get rid of that note!
I’ve done plenty of scores with 2 system of 5-part, plus keyboard.
Here’s one, with 6 parts in places! Admittedly, there aren’t many dynamics or arching slurs that might need more space, but there’s plenty of room for manoeuvre.
Dorico’s Top and Bottom page margins are pretty big, considering that the page number and header must be outside them. (And page headers are not always useful in single-flow works.) Reducing them, and choosing a suitable staff size for choral music should get you there.
Beautiful. Is that 5.3 mm and A4?
I work in points, but yes, thereabouts.
It’s on US letter. I don’t really know what the best size is to read as this is the first music that I’m editing in Dorico. Once I figure out this one, I’m sure the others will be much easier … at least I hope. What used to take me 2-3 hours in Finale has so far taken me at least 20, and it’s no where near finished. I’ve attached the whole project, so any advice would be appreciated!
I’d suggest size 6 for a choral score.
You’ve set very curious margins. Very large in the middle of a page spread, and very small on the outside edges. Usually, the outer margins are larger (cause that’s where you put your thumbs!)
I haven’t got your fonts, but 14 points is very large for lyrics.
You’ve also manually changed the staff size at various points.
You’ve also done some manual Staff Spacing adjustments. You should think of these as fine tuning, and I’d recommend not doing this until you’ve got the page in better shape.
I’m not convinced that every single one of your System Breaks with Manual Staff Visibility overrides is necessary, but I could be wrong.
In short: I think you’re trying to do too much manually, rather than letting Dorico do the work.