Hi MMD,  Bob Taylor does a fine job of summarizing and bringing the
MIDI commentary up to date.  I also have experienced the difficulty
of unscrambling MIDI files some of which will contain up to 15 tracks.
This proved to be beyond my computer and musical capabilities.  I could
not even interest anyone in doing it for pay.  By the time these songs
are pared down to the melody line and stripped of the irrelevant tracks
they do begin to sound like elevator music.

I would agree with Bob that the presence of a live pianist adds
tremendously to the enjoyment of the audience.  However it is not the
only thing that can be done to piano roll music to increase ones'
enjoyment of a piece.

There are two things which in my opinion are almost as important as
having a live pianist on hand.  One is to have lyrics displayed so
every one can see them as in VanBasco or the Superscan on the
Pianocorder.

Secondly, if it is at all possible, have two instruments that are
played simultaneously by MIDI.  For example, my pipe organ is
accompanied by the Pianocorder and the lyrics can be sung to as they
scroll by on the Superscan.  It is my strongly held belief that the
lyrics are almost as important as the music.  I've not pursued this
topic but I understand there are methods now for capturing the lyrics
as the rolls are scanned.  I believe we can greatly increase the
enjoyment of MIDI-fied piano rolls if the lyrics can also be displayed.
This is the visual contact that Bob mentions.

I can guarantee when an audience is singing as the pipe organ plays
and it is accompanied by the Pianocorder with lyrics on display and
everyone is singing, you will not think about the absence of a pianist.

Tom Hutchinson