popesz,
If you're on windows, take a look at this program: http://jordanrs.blogspot.com/2011/08/maxmsp-to-kinect-via-osc-for-offical.html
It's for sending OSC to Max using the Kinect for Windows SDK. I think in the comments there is a link to a version that has been rewritten for the latest SDK version, v1. I find that it tracks quicker than OSCeleton and doesn't need 'the pose' either. The next version of the SDK is supposed to have better tracking again so this may improve in the future.
I've recreated his Max patch in pd which you can find attached.
I'm currently working on a patch to convert the OSC to MIDI but I'm not very good with pd so it's taking quite a while and may not be perfect. I'll upload it when it's more done.