ISQCMC
1st International Symposium on Quantum Computing and Musical CreativityNov 19-20, 2021
Online Event
Introduction
1st International Symposium on Quantum Computing and Musical Creativity
Quantum computing is a nascent technology, which is advancing rapidly.
There is a long history of research into using computers for music since the 1950s. Nowadays computers are essential for the music economy. Therefore, it is very likely that quantum computers will impact the music industry in the time to come. A new area of research and development is emerging: Quantum Computer Music.
This first-ever quantum computer music symposium focuses on quantum computing for musical creativity. It takes place in the context of the QuTune Project, and is organised by University of Plymouth’s ICCMR in collaboration with Cambridge Quantum and IBM Quantum. In addition to creating resources for quantum computer music, QuTune is aimed at fostering a quantum-ready music tech community of early adopters.
The programme comprises talks about the resources being developed by the QuTune team, invited presenters and presentations submitted by the research community. It offers a hands-on introduction to programming quantum computers for musicians and enthusiasts, and practical demonstrations. We welcome proposals for presentations (see How to participate below).
The symposium will take place online and attendance is free of charge. Places are limited, registration is required (closed).
Organising Team
- Eduardo R. Miranda (ICCMR, University of Plymouth, UK)
- Bob Coecke (Cambridge Quantum Computing, UK)
- Ilyas Khan (Cambridge Quantum Computing, UK)
- Sieglinde Pfaendler (IBM Quantum, Europe)
- Fabio Scafirimuto (IBM Quantum, Switzerland)
- Omar Costa Hamido (ICCMR, University of Plymouth, UK)
- Paulo Itaborai (ICCMR, University of Plymouth, UK)
- Suchitra Basak (ICCMR, University of Plymouth, UK)
- Scott Oshiro (CCRMA, Stanford University, USA)
- Enrique Solano (Kipu Quantum, Germany)
How to participate
The target audience for this symposium is musicians interested in reflecting on and experimenting with quantum computers for musical composition and/or performance. Quantum computing developers and researchers interested in music are welcome.
A background in computer music and/or music technology is recommended in order to follow the presentations. Previous experience with computer programming, in particular Python, is also recommended to benefit from the tutorial. Familiarity with quantum computing is not mandatory, but would be advantageous. (Here is a good place to start. A good popular science explanation with a short video is here).
We are very keen to welcome those who already have been working with quantum computer music to present their work. We are planning to publish a selection of papers as a special issue of Contemporary Music Journal.
NOTE: The deadline to submit papers for presentation expired on 03 September 2021.
In the meantime, for more information: contact.isqcmc@gmail.com
Programme
Note: Times in GMT (London, UK time zone) (see in your own time zone)
See here the [complete recordings playlist]
DAY 1: 19 Nov 2021
09:30 - 9:50: Welcome and Introduction to QuTune Project
- Eduardo R. Miranda, Ilyas Khan and Bob Coecke
Tutorial I (10:00 - 12:00) [playlist]
10:00 - 12:00: Intro to Quantum Computer Music – Part 1 [recording]
- Omar Costa Hamido (University of Plymouth, UK)
Research Papers Session I (13:00 – 15:00) [playlist]
13:00 – 13:30: Conceptualizing Quantum Music [recording]
- Karl Svozil (TU Wien, Austria)
13:30 – 14:00: Composing with Quantum Walks and the Basak-Miranda Algorithm [recording]
- Suchitra Basak (University of Plymouth, UK)
14:00 – 14:30: Quantum of Sound, the Sound of Quanta [recording]
- Maria Mannone (University of Palermo & Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy)
- Davide Rocchesso (University of Palermo, Italy)
14:30 – 15:00: A Quantum Natural Language Processing Approach to Musical Intelligence [recording]
- Eduardo R. Miranda (University of Plymouth, UK)
- Richie Yeung (Cambridge Quantum, UK)
- Anna Pearson (Cambridge Quantum, UK)
- Konstantinos Meichanetzidis (Cambridge Quantum, UK)
- Bob Coecke (Cambridge Quantum, UK)
Research Papers Session II (15:30 – 18:00) [playlist]
15:30 – 16:00: Making Music Using Two Quantum Algorithms [recording]
- Euan J. Allen (University of Bristol, UK)
- Jacob F. F. Bulmer (University of Bristol, UK)
- Simon Small
16:00 – 16:30: Playing Superconductive Qubits as Musical Synthesizers for Live Performance [recording]
- Spencer Topel (Yale Quantum Institute, USA)
- Luke Burkhart (Yale Quantum Institute & Keysight Technologies, USA)
- Kyle Serniak (Yale Quantum Institute & MIT Lincoln Laboratory, USA)
- Florian Carle (Yale Quantum Institute, USA)
16:30 – 17:00: Exploring the Application of Gate-type Quantum Computational Algorithm for Music Creation and Performance
- Satofumi Souma (Kobe University, Japan)
17:00 – 17:30: Quantum Cellular Automata Music [recording]
- Hector Miller-Bakewell
- Eduardo R. Miranda (University of Plymouth, UK)
17:30 – 18:00: QuiKo: Quantum Beat Generation [recording]
- Scott Oshiro (Stanford University, USA)
Musical Demonstrations (18:30 - 19:30) [playlist]
18:30 – 18:50: Zeno [recording]
- Eduardo R. Miranda (University of Plymouth, UK)
Composed in 2019, Zeno is a piece for bass clarinet and electronic sounds, composed for clarinetist Sara Watts. During the performance, the system listens to the bass clarinet and generates responses on the fly. The composer will introduce the piece, the quantum software and inspiration, and will play excerpts recorded from the premiere, which took place at The Capstone Theatre, Liverpool, UK.
18:50 – 19:10: Second Cornerstone [recording]
- Omar Costa Hamido (University of Plymouth, UK)
Composed in 2020, Second Cornerstone is a piece for kamâncheh (an Iranian bowed string instrument) and music stands, performed by Niloufar Shiri and Omar Costa Hamido. The composer will introduce the piece, the quantum software and inspiration, and will play the recording from The Gedanken Room, shot in Irvine, USA, and premiered in 2021.
19:10 – 19:30: Quantum Sound: A Live Performance of Superconducting Instruments [recording]
- Spencer Topel (Performer, Yale Quantum Institute, USA)
- Luke Burkhart (Performer, Yale Quantum Institute & Keysight Technologies, USA)
- Kyle Serniak (Performer, Yale Quantum Institute & MIT Lincoln Laboratory, USA)
- Florian Carle (Producer, Yale Quantum Institute, USA)
Composition performed live from Yale’s Quantum Labs at the Becton Center in New Haven USA. A short introduction to the piece will be given before the performance. (See also Research Papers Session II)
DAY 2: 20 Nov 2021
Tutorial II (09:00 - 10:30) [playlist]
09:00 - 10:30: Intro to Quantum Computer Music – Part 2 [recording]
- Omar Costa Hamido (University of Plymouth, UK)
Research Papers Session III (11:00 – 12:00) [playlist]
11:00 – 11:30: Quantum Audio Representations [recording]
- Paulo Itaboraí (University of Plymouth, UK)
11:30 – 12:00: Quantum Frequency Detector for Audio Files [recording]
- Rajiv Mistry (Pivotport, USA)
- Jonathan Ortega (Purdue University, USA)
Research Papers Session IV (13:00 - 14:30) [playlist]
13:00 – 13:30: Photonic Sound Synthesis [recording]
- Eduardo R. Miranda (University of Plymouth, UK)
- Paul Finlay (Xanadu, Toronto, Canada)
- Tom Lubowe (Xanadu, Toronto, Canada)
13:30 – 14:00: Applications of Quantum Annealing to Music Theory [recording]
- Özlem Salehi (Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland)
- Ludmila Botelho (Polish Academy of Sciences and Silesian University of Technology, Poland)
- Ashish Arya (ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India)
- Fabiola Cañete (Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Mexico)
- Dhruvi Kapadia (Sarvajanik College Of Engineering and Technology, India)
14:00 – 14:30: Quantum Adiabatic Computing and Applications to Music [recording]
- Jake M. Chuharski (MIT, USA)
QuTune Brainstorming Session (15:00 - 18:00)
Working groups by invitation only
Demonstration (18:30 – 19:30) [playlist]
18:30 – 19:30: Software - Quantum Music Playground [recording]
- James Weaver (IBM Quantum, USA)
Announcements and Goodbye (19:30 - 19:45)
- Organising team