Origins and Evolution of Music

ICCMR is a pioneer in adopting a computational neo-Darwinian approach to study and make music. We are developing Evolutionary Computation and Artificial Life techniques to model the evolution of music. These systems are programmed with the cognitive and physical abilities deemed necessary to evolve music, rather than with preconceived music rules, knowledge and procedures. We are developing computational models that simulates the role of imitation in the development of music. ICCMR collaborates with the University of Plymouth’s Marine Institute, the University of St. Andrews’ School of Biology, and Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory (CEAL) at The University of Queensland, Australia, to understand how Humpback whales evolve their songs.