Muse Group (MuseCY Holdings Ltd.[2]) is a software and education company specialised in making tools and resources for music composition, music production and music education. Established in 1998 as Ultimate Guitar, it became Muse Group in 2021 following several acquisitions such as MuseScore and Audacity. It is now headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, and became the parent company of Hal Leonard in 2023.

Muse Group
MuseCY Holdings Ltd.
Company typeLimited company
IndustryMusic software
Music education
PredecessorUltimate Guitar
Founded2021
Headquarters,
Cyprus
ProductsUltimate Guitar
MuseScore
Audacity
StaffPad
Number of employees
200+[1] (2024)
SubsidiariesHal Leonard
Websitemu.se

History

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Former logo

In 2017, the company acquired the open source music notation tool MuseScore (now MuseScore Studio) and its sheet music sharing platform MuseScore.com, respectively launched in 2002 and 2010.[3]

In 2021, it acquired the open source audio editor Audacity, a software project originally started in 2000.[4][5]

In 2023, Muse Group acquired American music publishing company Hal Leonard, founded in 1947, and its entire catalogue of sheet music and music learning resources.[6][1]

Products and acquisitions

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Products
Logo Name Description Platform year
  Ultimate Guitar Online sharing platform for guitarists. Web Proprietary Launched 1998
Acquired stake of Dean Zelinsky Guitars 2012
  Agile Partners Several software products, including: Acquired 2013
  SteadyTune Desktop/Mobile Proprietary
  AmpKit Desktop/Mobile Proprietary
  Tonebridge Virtual effects pedal for guitars. Mobile Proprietary Launched 2016
  MuseScore Studio Music notation app. Desktop Open source Acquired 2017
  MuseScore.com Online score sharing platform. Web/Mobile Proprietary Acquired 2017
Crescendo Music education app. Desktop/Mobile Proprietary Acquired 2018
  MuseClass Music education app. Web/Mobile Proprietary Launched 2020
  Audacity Audio editor. Desktop Open source Acquired 2021
  StaffPad Music notation app. Mobile Proprietary Acquired 2021
  MuseHub Audio/music store for MuseScore and Audacity. Desktop Proprietary Launched 2022
  Audio.com Online music sharing.

platform.

Web Proprietary Launched 2022
  Hal Leonard Sheet music, method books, and several software products, including: Acquired 2023
  Noteflight Web Proprietary
  Sheet Music Plus Web Proprietary

Notes and references

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  1. ^ a b Rothman, Philip (4 December 2023). "Muse Group acquires Hal Leonard". Scoring Notes. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Organization Details: MUSECY HOLDINGS LTD". efiling.drcor.mcit.gov.cy. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  3. ^ Rothman, Philip (19 February 2018). "Ultimate Guitar acquires MuseScore". Scoring Notes. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  4. ^ Speed, Richard. "Audacity 'scared and excited' to be bought and brought under Muse Group's roof, promises to stay free and open source". The Register. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  5. ^ Rothman, Philip (30 April 2021). "Muse Group formed to support MuseScore, Ultimate Guitar; acquires Audacity". Scoring Notes. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  6. ^ Robinson, Kristin (7 December 2023). "Publishing Briefs: Hal Leonard Joins With Muse Group, 'Houdini' Co-Writer Signs UMPG Admin Deal". Billboard. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
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