NETWORK SLAMMER
Program Notes

Network Slammer for amplified flute and computer-generated sounds was written during the spring of 1998 and is part of a series of experimental works by the composer which explore the structural applications of magic squares to musical form. A magic square consists of a series of numbers arranged so that the sum of each row, column, and diagonal is the same amount. Routes through the square are mapped onto a musical structure to produce a network that uses the properties of the square as a compositional model. The unique position of each number within the square is paralleled in the musical score by a particular style, rhythm, density, and orchestration. The resulting network attempts to combine the procedures of classical art with basic elements of popular culture. The tape part was produced using GACSS (Genetic Algorithms in Composition and Sound Synthesis) which is an original computer music software package developed by Benjamin Grosser at the University of Illinois. Special thanks to Mark Abbott who served as a research assistant for the tape part and to David Bohn who prepared the final score and flute part.