UC Irvine

Musical works and texts historically demonstrate a desire to reconcile composition with improvisation. This text aims to progress the narrative of reconciliation. It outlines the polarized relationship between composition and improvisation. This paper presents tools that aid in their reconciliation. These tools stem from both theoretical and technological contexts. They provide a foundation for a creative work that gives equal weight to its improvisational and compositional components, while fostering a sense of shared purpose. This paper also introduces a new model for interactive performance systems called the self-regulating performance system. Two substantial compositions by the author are outlined and presented; Ecosystem One and Sinew. These works are implementations of the newly presented model.

“Sinew & Ecosystem One: two works driven by a self-regulating performance system” is a dissertation submitted to the University of California, Irvine in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated Composition, Improvisation, and Technology by Kevin Patrick Anthony, with Mari Kimura as committee chair.