Composition Commons^™

Expanding The Practice Of Conducting Through Technologies For New Musical Aesthetics, Majella Clarke

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

For over two centuries, the practice of conducting has been founded on a relatively stable relationship: a score is written, a conductor interprets it, and an ensemble/orchestra/choir realises it in performance. More recently, contemporary music has undergone profound transformations through algorithms, sensors, live electronics, machine learning, interactive systems, and generative technologies, expanding many instrumental practices and opening composition to become interactive, immersive and multimodal. However, the practice of conducting has remained largely tied to inherited models of interpretation and musical coordination via gesture.

This presentation asks how technology might expand conducting beyond traditional techniques and scoring materialities and become a …

The Influence Of Gustav Holst's The Planets On The Music Of John Williams, Kara Lewis

Senior Honors Theses

Throughout his six-decade career in film music, John Williams has achieved incredible success. Yet, one of the most prominent criticisms of Williams’ work is that it borrows heavily from classical repertoire. It is common to read that Williams stole from composers such as Gustav Holst. This paper examines in what aspects and to what extent the music of Williams takes inspiration specifically from Holst’s The Planets. Overall style and specific excerpts will be compared to demonstrate that, while the two share some characteristics, there is not an overall sameness of style. It shall also be demonstrated that certain excerpts …

Future Frames: Ai Tools In Music And The Value Of Human Composers, Jeff Wragg

Staff Scholarship - New Zealand

This presentation examines the pros and cons of using AI within a film composition practice. It identifies some of the roles of music in film and provides advice on how to collaborate with human composers and how to engage effectively with AI when a human composer is not an option.

The Eight Types Of Love, According To Ancient Greece: A Musical Album, Alex Aether

Honors College Theses

This thesis examines the eight styles of love as defined by the ancient Greeks, presented as a musical album with each song dedicated to a specific category.

By exploring new ideas and approaches to the typical “love song” while incorporating my personal experiences, I hope to break through a long-standing cliche in the music industry in a way that’s personal to me and inspire others to fill this topical rift. At a broader scale, I hope to create nuance in people’s minds about what love means to them in the moments they feel it, so they can deeply understand and …

The Searcy Story, Elise S. Spinder, Sheeva Chourazghi-Azad, Nate Krammerer, Anna Blubaugh, Sarah Brewer

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This presentation explores the planning and execution of our Honors project: a documentary highlighting local Nashville activists Joyce and Walter Searcy. It outlines our research process, the development of timelines documenting their lives, our collaboration with Fisk University, and the production of the documentary. Housed within the Belmont-Fisk Social Justice Collaborative, our work examines strategies that contributed to the systemic change during the Civil Rights Movement. This inquiry sparked deeper engagement with the Nashville community and illuminated the Searcys’ vital role in fostering community organizing and leading meaningful change. This documentary reflects on what it means to be a selfless …

Creative Constraints And Studio Ecology: Rethinking Collaboration In Contemporary Music Practice, Sean Foran

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

Presentation at SAE New Zealand Research Seminar Series

This presentation explores how creative constraints can function not as limitations, but as methodological tools within contemporary music production and musical improvisation. In an era of near-unlimited technological possibility in the recording studio, the question of how musicians make effective creative decisions becomes increasingly significant.

Drawing on two practice-based research projects, (1) a constrained studio recording study built around the aphorism “no more than four,” and (2) an interdisciplinary improvisation project using poetry as both stimulus and constraint, this research examines how deliberately imposed limitations shape collaboration, decision-making, and musical outcomes in …

Reimagining Musical Improvisation Through Poetic Inspiration: A Creative Practice Investigation, Sean Foran

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

Presentation at University of Aberdeen Research Seminar Series.

This presentation explores creative practice as research through an innovative approach to musical improvisation and recording that challenges traditional boundaries between music and literature. Working with experienced improvising musicians, this study investigates how poetic texts serve as inspiration and catalysts for new creative processes and musical outcomes. Using a practice-based research framework, the project positions poetry as both creative stimulus and constraint in a 'comprovisation' process, resulting in a suite of short recorded works. The collaboration with a poet prompts a reconsideration of process, recording, and audience experience, with the final release …

Our Bodies Are Wild And Shimmering (Music For Exhibition), Marcus O’Donnell, Colin N. Webber Dr

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

A note on the sound design: The Tracks draws inspiration from Marcus’ beautiful images that both reveal and conceal and explore the nexus of human and divine love.

The tracks are created in collaboration with AI tools, specifically Suno, Synthesiser V, Chat GPt and Claude. The lyrics are GPT, Claude and Google Translate versions of Richard Rolle’s The Fire of Love, rendered into liturgical Latin, Russian and Spanish, along with elements of canonical Mass lyrics. I chose to use musical styles that are found in ecclesiastical settings such as the 16th Century Catholic church, Medieval monasteries,

Russian Orthodox settings …

Shadows And Stars: How To Bring Student Compositions To Life, Dylan K. Ahrens

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Student composer Dylan Ahrens will present a session titled 'Shadows and Stars: a Symphony for Band,' premiered by the Belmont University Wind Ensemble on April 17, 2026. The composer will provide an analysis of the piece, discuss compositional processes, and outline the experience of learning to conduct one's own work with a collegiate ensemble. This presentation will include audio and video sample of rehearsal and performance, as well as images from the score.

Timothy Amukele Biography And Introduction To His Songs, Arissa Ford

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Timothy Amukele is a composer whose music is not well known, even though he has made important contributions to the world of vocal music. His work is rarely studied in schools or performed in concerts, which means many people miss out on experiencing his unique style and creativity. This project aims to change that by sharing information about Amukele’s life, his musical influences, and what makes his compositions special. By studying and performing his music, this project helps bring more attention to composers who deserve to be recognized but are often overlooked. Including underrepresented composers like Amukele in performances is …

My First Conversation With Chatgpt (February 22, 2023): Origins Of A Generative Dialogue, David Smith

Publications and Research

This working paper presents the first recorded interaction between the author and the generative AI system ChatGPT, written on February 22, 2023 during the initial weeks of a faculty sabbatical in Boston. The document preserves a complete and unedited transcript of an exploratory conversation conducted without predetermined research aims, marking the author’s first encounter with a large-language-model conversational interface. Although the exchange includes creative experimentation—including musical and poetic prompts—the discussion remains informal and wide-ranging, and no theoretical framework is articulated at this stage. Rather, this transcript is published as primary-source material documenting the moment of discovery and experimentation that precedes …

“Starlight Suite”: A Compositional Exploration Of The Argo Navis Constellations In Three Movements, Adam Miller

Student Publications

This thesis explores a compositional technique in which stellar constellations are arranged upon musical staves in a variety of iterations to create a basis from which to draw melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic material. These raw extrapolations of unaltered notes are then arranged and orchestrated into thematic music for full orchestra, centered around elements from the mythological background behind the constellations used. An accompanying analysis explains the specific applications of this technique within each movement of the work, the significance of each, and the variety of ways in which musical inspiration was drawn from the raw materials. The objective of this …

Integrating Chinese Tradition And Western Techniques In Jiang Zuxin’S Piano Works: A Study Of Temple Fair And Mountain Flower Collection, Qi Zhang

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This document focuses on Jiang Zuxin’s two piano suites, Temple Fair and Mountain Flower Collection, examining how traditional Chinese musical materials interact with Western compositional techniques. Through close analytical readings of selected excerpts, combined with considerations of performance practice and modal context, the research demonstrates that Jiang systematically employs pentatonic collections and their modal configurations (gong, shang, jue/zhi/yu), along with certain altered tones (such as biangong and qingjue), as foundational pitch material. He also draws on folk songs, dances, and theatrical elements from traditional Chinese culture. At the same time, he simulates the timbres and idiomatic playing techniques of …

The Integration Of Western Compositional Techniques And Traditional Chinese Folk Music In The Piano Works Of Jianzhong Wang, Yingqi Wang

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This document explores the method by which Jianzhong Wang (王建中) (1933–2016), a celebrated Chinese composer and pianist, integrates traditional Chinese folk melodies with Western compositional techniques in his solo piano works, including Western harmonic techniques and tonal language, contrapuntal and polyphonic textures, formal structure and thematic development, and the imitation of instruments and sounds. Introduced to Wang’s music during high school through the piece, “Embroidering the Golden Plaque” from Four Northern Shaanxi Folk Songs, the author reflects on the artistic challenges posed by Wang. Over years of study, an appreciation for Wang’s innovative fusion of Chinese folk elements and Western …

Passive Listening: Exploring Interpassivity In Ambient Music, David Chechelashvili, Alan Brown

Staff Scholarship - New Zealand

The landscape of ambient music presents unique challenges for critique and classification due to its wide range of subgenres, functions and goals. Often defined by its atmospheric and immersive qualities, ambient music is traditionally seen as providing a backdrop for relaxation or as a means to block out the harsh reality of the outside world. This dominant theory, while valuable in certain contexts, tends to oversimplify the multifaceted nature of ambient music and ignores the potential for more nuanced listening experiences. The proposed alternative theory of interpassivity challenges existing understandings of ambient music production and consumption modes. Drawing on psychoanalytic …

Learning How To Practice Takes Practice, Micah Killion, Robert Duke

John J. Cali School of Music Scholarship and Creative Works

Effective music learning depends on effective music practice. Although time spent with teachers is an important component of young musicians’ development, time spent alone practicing is perhaps even more consequential. Researchers and teachers have offered many prescriptions about effective music practice, yet observations of young musicians’ actual practice reveal that their behavior in the practice room is often quite unlike what teachers envision. The most important aspects of effective practice are the thinking, perceiving, and decision-making that serve to organize how musicians spend their time. We discuss how to help students focus their attention in ways that lead to the …

Generative Techniques In "The Third Man," For Fretless Electric Guitar And Electronics, Adam James Wilson

Publications and Research

“The Third Man” is the latest in a series of pieces, spanning fifteen years of iteration, for solo fretless guitar and “automatic improvisation” software. Prior works in the series have been performed throughout the United States, many of them at the New York City Electroacoustic Improvisation Summit between 2016 and 2024. The author serves as the principal performer/composer and programmer of this and prior works, which has enabled the progressive refinement of generative techniques to support very personal compositional aesthetics and performance practices. Setting aside the stylistic idiosyncrasies they serve, details of the relatively simple generative techniques used in “The …

Jazz Scale Patterns With Abjad And Lilypond, George K. Thiruvathukal

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Background

Jazz method books often advise students to “learn it in all keys,” yet most present examples in only one or two keys (if that, as they start from C, the easiest key, and usually stop there). For many "classically-trained" players—especially those who check fingerings, enharmonics, and voice-leading by reading—the absence of complete, notated materials is a barrier. While most scales can be internalized as Whole (W) / Half (H) step patterns, important exceptions (e.g., harmonic and melodic minor, octatonic, whole tone, and blues) are aided by having notated patterns in front of us.

Aims

To generate clear, consistent notation-first …

Idiomatic Compositional Techniques In John Rutter’S Requiem, Marguerite Walsh

Student Publications

John Rutter is an extremely significant figure in choral music, and his 1985 Requiem is one of his most widely performed works. Despite this popularity, it has yet to be analyzed in a rigorous academic capacity. Requiem is a harmonically rich and sophisticated work, and said lack of previous analysis represents a gap in theoretical research. This thesis analyzes Requiem for significant harmonic structures and idiomatic compositional techniques and applies those techniques in an original composition. Subtopics of note included harmonic non-functionality, modulations, and orchestration. The original work is comprised of two movements for choir and piano respectively titled “Requiem …

0895: Whear Family Papers, 1909-2019, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Dr. Paul W. Whear was a noted composer and Marshall University professor and founded the Huntington Chamber Orchestra. Nancy Robinson Voiers Whear was a renowned musician who worked in Morrow Library at Marshall University and wrote several articles that were published. Their children were Allen Whear, violoncellist, brother Bill, a prominent photographer, and Cynthia, another distinguished musician.

The Whear Family Collection includes original compositions and musical scores by Paul W. Whear, research materials used by Nancy Whear, photography by Bill Whear, and documentation of the musical career of Allen Whear. Also included are programs and other materials from the Huntington …

Building Toward A Timbral Tool-Kit: A Practice-Led Exploration Of Timbre As An Inspirational Tool In The Composition Process, Kailan O’Dell

Postgraduate

This exegesis is a practice-led investigation into the role of timbre as a tool of inspiration and musical expression in the composition process, with a specific focus on keyboard instruments. Two contrasting compositions for grand piano were recorded, then recorded again using four other distinct keyboard instrument timbres. The composer’s emotional perception of each keyboard instrument timbre was evaluated through reflective analysis, and with the use of the Geneva Emotional Music Scale. Knowledge of the emotional associations of the various timbres was used in the creation of four new compositions, one for each of the four distinct keyboard instrument timbres. …

Singing Our Story: Composing And Writing An Original Musical, Gianna C. Daiuto

Music Summer Fellows

How can we use music to deepen the emotions of the stories we tell? What is the effect of combining song and speech? Through an extensive independent project, I have composed several pieces of original music alongside a script to create an original musical. While it is still in its infancy, this project is the first full draft of this story, and will hopefully be fleshed out to be staged and performed one day in its entirety.

Composing Songs For Dead Sailors, Toby Wren

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

Toby Wren discusses his latest creative work, the Songs for Dead Sailors song cycle, a psychological exploration of love and loss in the time of tall ships. This project was conceived as creative practice scholarship. In this presentation, Toby explains the creative processes and influences behind the work.

Sweet Talk "Switch On", David Turner, Soren Walker

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

“Switch On” is the debut album by Melbourne’s Sweet Talk. Founded in 2018 by D. M. Turner and Soren Walker, Sweet Talk was created as a means to explore their love of American music of the mid to late 20th century through a uniquely Australian lens. Australia and the United States have a close relationship stretching back over 100 years. This bond continues to be expressed geopolitically and is prevalent in the cross-cultural exchange found in contemporary music. Sharing a British and Irish heritage, the countries have developed several musical styles in parallel including country music and rock n roll. …

Social Media Addiction Explained Through Film, Matthew Layton

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

“How much is too much?” The central frame of my creative work tackles this question through the lens of queerness, addiction, isolation, and self-identity, giving an unfiltered voice to today’s youth. Social Media’s negative effects go deeper than the usual anecdotes of decline in sleep quality, physical activity, and attention span. The ramifications of a negative mental headspace are often overshadowed by flashy promises and a false sense of belonging. The societal impact is especially influenced due to the malleability of the adolescent brain. In 2022, up to 95% of teenagers ages 13 to 17 claimed to use social media, …

Composition Honors Recital And Lecture, Hannah Simmers

Honors Projects

This project demonstrates compositional techniques and development. It provides a view on the writing process of musical compositions and an analysis on the different components of the pieces. The project included public speaking, where I spoke about each piece and different aspects of the pieces to listen for. A large portion of my role before the recital consisted of organizing musicians, creating a program, and writing my essay.

Investigations Of Musical Constructs: An Analysis Of Graphic Scores And Their Spatial Relationships, Garrett J. Henderson

2025 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

This project seeks to understand, through creative production, how graphic scores and their purpose as a medium can be applied to architectural design. Graphic scores are an abstract representation of musical notation; they utilize unfamiliar concepts and shapes to illustrate musical ideas through unconventional means. Discovering how one can reverse-engineer these works of notation can allow architectural designers to rethink the representation of spaces and the underlying inspirations that form them. Research into broader artistic overlap, historical context, and precedent analysis culminated into a set of drawings that illustrate such concepts through an architectural lens. The production of these drawings …

Human Evolution: A Musical Portrait, Chloe S. Roper

Senior Honors Projects

The story of human evolution has been an elaborate progression entrenched in metamorphic processes and associated trial and error to create the species we are today. While these milestones are primarily explored through an academic lens, intellectual ideas are less often conveyed through a creative or abstract approach, such as through music or other art forms. Similarly, while music is often employed to evoke emotion, inspire reflection, or symbolize experiences, it is underutilized in conveying intellectual ideas. This project explores the juxtaposition of benchmark concepts of what makes our species distinctly human with instrumental musical expression in order to design …

Creed And Variations: Tracing The Divergence Of Christian Traditions In Select Piano Works Of Arvo Pärt, Olivier Messiaen, And J. S. Bach, Rebekah E. Stiles

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Within the classical music universe, the works of J. S. Bach, Olivier Messiaen, and Arvo Pärt stand apart as particularly evocative of the divine. Much has been written on these three men’s integration of faith with musical practice, exploring how their music is not only spiritual in nature but distinctly Christian. But in comparing the three, one encounters deeply rooted distinctions between their religious worldviews, a distinction not only found in their personal testimonies but actually heard in their music. Their compositional languages reflect three traditions: Protestantism (specifically Lutheranism), represented by Bach; Roman Catholicism, represented by Messiaen; and Eastern Orthodoxy, …

A Study Of Rachel Galinne’S Dybbuk For Solo Clarinet: A Classical Work With Klezmer Influences, Rachel S. Levison

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Composer Rachel Galinne self-identifies first and foremost as an Israeli with Swedish roots. She was born and raised in Sweden to Holocaust survivors and always felt a deep connection to Jewish traditions and culture, leading her to immigrate to Israel. Her compositions are derived from her formal education in musicology and composition in contemporary music, as well as from her Jewish community. Her Jewish heritage is represented in her compositions through text, motivic ideas, and specific topics. Dybbuk for solo clarinet is an excellent example.

This solo follows the perspective of Leah, one of the main characters in Solomon Ansky’s …