How Launchcode Spawned A Musical Opus
When I enrolled in Launchcode's LC-101 class in the Spring of 2018, I will admit, it was largely a career move. I had worked at the Saint Louis Public Library for over a decade, and wanted to try to find a position that was technically more challenging.
Happily, I am now an apprentice at the Hussmann Corporation, working in IT/Development for a very interesting project. If I am offered full-time employ there, I will certainly stay.
What I did not expect was the effect that Launchcode's training had on my artistic career.
I have been a musician for over 20 years, and have developed a keen interest in finding new music and new ways of presenting music. The skills I learned in LC-101 Units 1 and 2, python and web development, enabled me to develop a series of free web applications.
My first application helped DJs find new, free music to play, creating playlists for them by topic. Another app enabled users to watch slide shows or sets of videos chosen by topic, from the Internet Archive.
A flash of insight, and I realized a way to create online generative scenarios. I could combine a number of embedded music players on one page, and use python to populate them-- which then meant that I could create a large body of sounds, and have those chosen at random.
A number of generative streams resulted from this realization, including a station that broadcasts original dub music all day, and another that features ambient piano.
Everything really came together in April of 2019, when I had the idea to create a Classical generative piece that lasts all day, and sounds different at different times of the day. Using my coding knowledge, and the abilities available at my web host, I created "The Heliades" (or "Daughters Of Helios"). I recorded notes sung by myself and established vocalist Rebekkah Hilgraves. I combined these notes into phrases-- in the early morning, whole notes up were emphasized, Mid-morning involved thirds going up. Late morning was fifths. After noon, the cycle changed direction, and notes and progressions went down the scale.
When I had a chance to hear what I had created-- I knew it was special. Thanks to the python, a vocal environment was presented that was always changing, always evolving. The compositions worked beautifully, and the code did the tough job of randomly choosing phrases and bringing them in and out all day every day.
I came to understand that I had created a sort of opus-- the musical peak of my two decade fascination with composition. However, why take my word for it? Without further ado, I present to you: "The Heliades".