New MusicXML specification editor appointment

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Karim Ratib as the new MusicXML specification editor, with immediate effect. He succeeds Michael Cuthbert, who will remain one of the three co-chairs of the Community Group, but will now focus his efforts entirely on helping drive the MNX specification forwards.

Members of the Community Group will have an opportunity to meet Karim for the first time in our planned virtual Community Group meeting in March 2026.

In Karim’s own words:

My name is Karim Ratib. A professional software engineer by trade, I am also a lifelong music lover and player. Although I wrote my very first music application around 1985 on the venerable Sinclair ZX Spectrum, I was introduced to modern music notation software about ten years ago when I started adapting classic Egyptian popular songs to my modest guitar and singing abilities. My dreams of creating the “Arabic Real Book” soon took the back seat to understanding and enhancing how music technologies support use-cases outside the mainstream. Since then, I’ve engaged with many music communities online – MusicXML, SMuFL, MIDI, MuseScore, Verovio to name a few. As a firm believer in the benefits of open formats and open source for the common good, I am delighted to accept the role of MusicXML editor. My goal is to support the evolution of MusicXML by fostering a worldwide community of music notation stakeholders, from experts and musicologists to performers and learners, without forgetting the developers of music tools. I will apply my skills and experience in engineering management to maintain this valuable format and I hope to be an effective steward during the time of my tenure.