I'd like to start dabbling around with some of the ideas I have for some kind of score'ish or soft-themed piano music...
With possible hints of orchestra or electronic...

Are there any programs out there that could help me with this? I myself don't have any instruments I could record or plug up... sadly. I'll never be a professional at this anyways.

It's strictly for self purposes, just stuff to listen to while I'm stuck on my computer all day. Here are some examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1W3qjyFwEE
--- Hope Overture by Clint Mansell ---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8kjF61UmPM
--- Death is a Disease by Clint Mansell ---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XZkLmomNgA
--- Together We Will Live Forever by Clint Mansell ---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EQXEIoZrZE
--- Something Dark is Coming by Bear McCreary ---

While I could never recreate any of these sounds, these are just good examples on the theme in which I'd like to build some music of my own.

Any help would be appreciated!

Cubase is pretty good with that kinda stuff. But if you don't have a midi keyboard it will be incredibly hard to do, unless your really good at clicking different notes out with your mouse, which takes forever.

It's best to just get a midi keyboard and then you can do all that kinda stuff.

But i've heard Ableton Live Lite is good for loops, but im using Cubase 5 now and it seems like it would be really good at that with all it's different effects and drum maps.

Word sir, I shall check it out. Thank you!