Algorithmic Thinking, Analysis and Visualization in Music (ATAVizM)

UPDATE We're excited to note that Chi’s Kitchen will be serving ample Nigerian food:

• Roasted Chicken
• Fried Plantains
• Jollof Rice
• Moin Moin (vegetarian bean cakes)
• Salad

Abstract:

A primary learning outcome in music theory courses is the ability to analyze musical form. To improve undergraduate music education, we have developed a combination of novel data pre-processing and user-directed pattern finding that make it possible to reach the full potential of Martin Wattenberg’s 2001 vision for seeing the "Shape of Song" (http://www.bewitched.com/song.html). Through the ATAVizM course module, students create compelling visualizations to accompany their analytical papers, but more importantly they learn how analytical processes may be implemented as algorithms.

Musical themes and motives are often transposed or otherwise modified in the course of a piece. An example is the subject and answer of a fugue (an imitative polyphonic composition). How do we formalize the relationship between a subject and tonal answer? Or, the improvisational “licks” of Dizzy Gillespie? Such that we could define “themes” as a category that may be formalized computationally? Especially, when a computer does not know where to look for themes or what modifications to expect? We discuss how algorithms informed by humanistic understanding of music can work much better than those that are not.

Bios:

Dr. Aaron Carter-Ényì teaches at Morehouse College and Spelman College. He holds a PhD from Ohio State University (2016), 2017 fellow of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) and a two-time Fulbright recipient (Nigeria, 2012 and 2019). He is the director of the Africana Digital Ethnography Project (ADEPt), funded by ACLS and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and is currently developing ATAVizM, funded by NEH.

William Dula is a Master's Student in the Applied Mathematics program at Clark Atlanta University. William began working with ADEPt/ATAVizM as an undergraduate research assistant at Morehouse College. William's mathematical research focuses on creating innovative numerical methods for solving physical systems. William is also interested in studying linguistics through mathematics, specifically sentiment analysis.

Jerry Volcy is director of Spelman’s Innovation Lab and Brown-Simmons Professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. Dr. Volcy graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1996 whereupon he joined Lucent Bell Labs as head of Intelligent Machines and Controls Laboratory, IMAC, in Norcross, Georgia. Dr. Volcy dedicates his time to the formation of a representative next generation of technology leaders; and his research interests currently focus on CS pedagogy for women.

Agenda:

6:45 Doors open
7pm Networking and mixing with dinner and refreshments
7:30 Main presentation
8:00 Q&A
8:20 Lightning talks (please sign up at http://bit.ly/PyDataATL-lightning) and other announcements

Refreshments are generously sponsored by Dr. Carter-Ényì (food) and Toptal Engineering (beverages).