The problem is when condensing different sections on the same system

The problem I had to deal with recently is quite annoying.

So, I have a choir. I have 2 divisi changes in one system.
The first divisi change is displayed normally, but the second one is in trouble.
The fact is that the second change of divisi has 4 sections. And I need all this to be notated and displayed on 2 staves. But if I manage to do this with the first divisi change (there are only 2 sections), then the next divisi change in the condensing changes should show 4 sections in the choir, but only 2 are displayed, so I can’t get Dorico to show the 1st and 2nd sections on the 1st stave, and the 3rd and 4th sections are on the 2nd stave. Dorico continues to display the 1st section on the 1st stave and the 2nd section on the 2nd stave.



video recording

Moreover, on the next system, for some reason, I have 3 note carriers displayed (instead of the 2 I installed). Why 3? I don’t need more than 2 note-bearers there at all.

Moreover, on the next system, for some reason, I have 3 staves displayed (instead of the 2 I set). Why 3? I don’t need more than 2 staves there at all.

Anyway, I’ve attached the Dorico file, please take a look and help me figure it out.
I repeat, I need the choir to be notated on 2 staves, and each section of divisi to be visible, both on page view and in gallery view.
file

By the way, if you change the instrument to “Choir (reduction)” (now I have “Voice” set), then in this case you will get gibberish. There will be as many as 4 staves in the next system, although they are completely unnecessary there! (I think a “Choir (reduction)” would be a more appropriate instrument than a “Voice”).

Dorico cannot do multiple divisi changes in a single system. One has to arrange the systems or the divisi to make sure this does not happen.

Perhaps one day the situation will be different, but it is difficult to see how this will be possible before Dorico enables cutaway scores at a minimum.

1 Like

So what should I do? If I change the instrument to “Choir (reduction)”, then there will be 4 staffs, but I don’t need that many. I need there to be only 2 staffs, and only one of them has a condensed divisi.
If I leave the instrument unchanged (“Voice”), then I will not display sections 3 and 4

I probably wouldn’t use divisi for that section. I would use 2 voices and staff text to show who sings which line.

2 Likes

Well, what do you think about the “Choir (reduction)[1]” instrument? Is it suitable as a notation for a female choir with divisi? If not, what kind of instrument is appropriate for this?


  1. By the way, I still don’t understand why the name of this instrument contains “reduction” in parentheses. Why not just a “Choir”? Does this mean that this instrument is not intended for notating any divisi chorus on it? ↩︎

No need to overthink it.