I hope that a composition competition based on machine learning would be of interest to enough people on this list...
folk-rnn composition competition The aim of this competition is to explore an application of machine learning to music --- in particular the online tool at folkrnn.org. This model is an example of artificial intelligence trained on traditional tunes mainly Irish and English. The web interface allows users to generate new melodies using a few parameters (There's a video on the website that explains how it works). We are seeking works that make creative use of this tool to compose new pieces, which do not need to adhere to the idiom of the training material.
Submissions will be judged on their musical quality and their utilisation of outputs from folkrnn.org. The winning piece will be performed by a professional ensemble at a public concert in London, UK, in early October 2018. Professional recordings of the performance will be provided to composers, and with the permission of musicians and composers, made available on the project youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7wzmG64y2IbTUeWji_qKhA
We welcome submissions from any composer without restriction of age or nationality. Attendance at the concert is not mandatory. There is no cost for submitting a work.
Rules for submitted works:
- scored for any combination of the following instruments: flute,
clarinet, violin, cello, and piano (only 1 each); no use of amplification or electronic instruments is allowed;
no longer than 10 minutes in duration;
must be derived in some way from material generated by the
application at folkrnn.org;
- must be accompanied by a written explanation of how the work comes
about from the use artificial intelligence through the folkrnn.org website. Composers can also accompany the text with illustrations (e.g. staff notation).
- no restrictions on style, or the way the outputs from folkrnn.org are
used;
Important dates:
- August 31 2018: Submission of PDF score and required accompanying
material email to competition@folkrnn.org
- September 15 2018: Notification
- September 25 2018: Performance materials due
- October 9 2018: Concert (London UK)
For more information about the technology, see the following:
http://theconversation.com/machine-folk-music-composed-by-ai-shows-technolog...
https://www.inverse.com/article/32276-folk-music-ai-folk-rnn-musician-s-best...
If you have questions or comments, contact Dr. Oded Ben-Tal: o.ben-tal@kingston.ac.uk