Originally Posted by Matt Finley
The last time I checked, they did not add chord symbol storage to the MIDI 2.0 standard. I really hope that I'm wrong
I'll emphasise that I think it's now there. My post here is now also perhaps a bit off-topic.

What I've been looking at is in the current Universal MIDI Packet (UMP) document, which says there's a new data type "Flex Data Messages" (section 7.5). Amongst those is:
Quote
7.5.8 Set Chord Name Message
This message declares the name of a chord. The chord can have an optional, alternate bass note and an optional bass chord.
... which appears to contain the right sort of data for chord symbols, though encoded, not as text. I think that's the right data for chord symbols, but there's also the issue 'right data' and whether users and systems actually include such data. Obviously a plain old keyboard can't(?) but an arranger might and something to drive an arpeggiator might. In the examples are DMaj7/F#" and "CMaj7#11".

Summary: I think there's now a message, but I rather doubt that there will be any actual chord name data in MIDI files in the near future.

M2-104-UM_v1-1-2_UMP_and_MIDI_2-0_Protocol_Specification.pdf --- published 2023-11-10

Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.