The taming of the Frankenstein.

Well, I think I fixed it. It's rendered 300 frames or so (about half) without crashing, so I may have solved the problem. I restarted my computer, and this time resisted the urge to open my web browser. I opened Blender, and disabled Save Buffer, Instances, Free Unused, and Local Coordinates. (I think, if I remembered right). It also seems to be rendering somewhat faster too. I'm seeing render times of about one minute on my main computer.
 The main problem I see when I look at it is that my animation skills are abysmal.
Josh, would you be willing to try animating it, and then sending the .blend file back for me to render?

Update: It's around frame 550 now! I may be able to get a video out tonight!

Workstation

Right now, here's how I've got things set up:

I'm pretty happy with my setup right now. Things are nicely integrated.
Unfortunately, the piano can't stay. I can use it, but its place is in the family room. Oh well, if I need to bring it up now and then I can.
...
And a front view:

By the way, the software shown is Magix Movie Edit Pro MX Premium. (I know, I know, it should have been Blender...)