Re: New MusicXML specification editor appointment [via Music Notation Community Group]

Thanks to the Music Notation co-chairs for appointing me. It's a pleasure
to contribute to this community in a more formal capacity.

I was told that several members of the community applied for this role. I
would like to invite those members (whose identities were not disclosed to
me) - as well as other interested members here - to reply here or contact
me privately to contribute your skills and expertise and collaborate on the
maintenance of MusicXML.

I'm preparing a roadmap document that I hope to publicize during the
virtual meeting in March, but I can tell you right now it will all rely on
community building and forming groups to work on specific initiatives.
That's why I hope to hear from all of you!

With enthusiasm,
Karim


On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 11:57 AM W3C Community Development Team <
team-community-process@w3.org> wrote:

> Karim Ratib
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> ----------
>
> This post sent on Music Notation Community Group
>
>
>
> 'New MusicXML specification editor appointment'
>
>
> https://www.w3.org/community/music-notation/2026/01/27/new-musicxml-specification-editor-appointment/
>
>
>
> Learn more about the Music Notation Community Group:
>
> https://www.w3.org/community/music-notation
>
>