The Evolution of Computer Music
Computer Music has been evolving since the Spring of 2019, when I first decided that I waned to do a project involving choral composition with a certain degree of facilitation by an algorithm. At first, I wanted to use an algorithm to generate a phrase of music from words typed into the program. This would then be arranged into a composition that I performed, to describe the relationship between words, expression and music making. This would eventually demonstrate that anything could become music.
Then, the world completely changed in March of 2019, and my project idea changed as it seemed less likely that an in person installation would be possible, or even an in person performance. I still wanted a performance aspect to my project, thus the final product being singable remained a key aspect of my project. I then decided that I would write lyrics that would later inform the composition, thinking maybe this would somehow effect the rhythm. I "composed" an algorithm that generates sets of notes based on a given key. It seemed really appealing for me to divide my composition up into three movements using fragments of the same written text throughout each of them. Later I realized that this would bring about more meaning to the piece than I expected.
As this project developed, I came to realize something really important about the definitions of music and technology. I found that I wasn't ever really satisfied with what my algorithm was producing, as I began to develop melodies in my head which I found were often not reflected in the algorithm. Music, I find, is an expression of the self, a reflection of emotions and passion for the art. Computers, by definition of computers, can not have emotions, nor can they express themselves. Thus, a project which I wanted to be an expression was not that at all. Which made me think, was this really music? As I wasn't ever quite satisfied with the rhythmic production based on the text, I decided to switch to the technology of pen and paper and compose the rhythms for each movement myself based on how I felt the text should be expressed.
The final composition for this project was produced using a note generation algorithm which I developed in Python. The rhythms, though written solely by me were coded into a music engraving software called Lilypond. I was able to adjust the Python algorithm so that the output of the program was in a compatible format with Lilypond. I then developed code in Lilypond which output a midi file and the score itself.
Early this semester I distributed click tracks, scores and practice tracks to 3 other vocalists at Connecticut College. These students, including myself, recorded video and audio for each of the Computer Music movements. I then edited the video in Adobe Premiere, and, with the help of my advisor Andrew Greenwald, mixed the audio track.
This project has truly changed with me over the course of the semester, but I am so thrilled with the outcome and hope that you are too!
Thanks!