---if anyone is aware of a low cost music synthesis chip I could use, please make suggestions.---
This might be worth checking into,
http://www.electricdruid.net/index.php?page=projects.vcdo
it's a PIC
looks like it costs about $1.60 plus shipping from Thailand.
he's supplied the code with comments and raw code.. guess you could just upload the code onto microchip's order site and it'll be delivered to your door, pre-programmed.
Sounds like an interesting package.