Oracle Song (in development)
Oracle Song (in development)
Initiated through Sound and Music’s New Voices programme, this multi-part vocal performance uses sound, music and language to explore the human connection with non-human species.
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Composed through dialogue between a neural net and a vocal ensemble, the project imagines a form of inter-species communion, through creation of a hybrid human/animal vocality. This unique sonic encounter connects listeners to an expanded understanding of non-human life and intelligence, and the intimate sensation of our precarious co-existence.
The project responds to the crisis of species extinction, and engages with the processes of machine learning as a way to playfully broaden anthropocentric narratives of intelligence and inter-dependence.
During 2021/22 Melanie partnered with RNCM PRiSM (Practice & Research in Science & Music lab, Manchester) to develop material using their neural net. She presented a work in progress sharing in Manchester in February 2022, with an ensemble of singers including:
Benoît André
Peyee Chen
Adey Grummet
Kate Huggett
Rosie Middleton
Robin Morton
Melanie Pappenheim
Edmund Phillips
Héloïse Werner
and
Michael Betteridge - music facilitator and conductor
Sam Salem - project mentor
Bernie Whittle - project producer for Fuel
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Read a blog of the project journey so far here.
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Melanie continues to develop this project, with the aim of presentation and touring in 2025.
The project is produced and co-commissioned by Fuel.
Sound and Music’s New Voices 2020/21 is funded by Arts Council England, PRS Foundation and Garfield Weston Foundation.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/84521fb71d8a9e33067f999b7aef7a71c5e60f1ab77a374c5bdb727ef865f608/SQ-Lge-RGB-OS-NOText.jpg)
Composed through dialogue between a neural net and a vocal ensemble, the project imagines a form of inter-species communion, through creation of a hybrid human/animal vocality. This unique sonic encounter connects listeners to an expanded understanding of non-human life and intelligence, and the intimate sensation of our precarious co-existence.
The project responds to the crisis of species extinction, and engages with the processes of machine learning as a way to playfully broaden anthropocentric narratives of intelligence and inter-dependence.
During 2021/22 Melanie partnered with RNCM PRiSM (Practice & Research in Science & Music lab, Manchester) to develop material using their neural net. She presented a work in progress sharing in Manchester in February 2022, with an ensemble of singers including:
Benoît André
Peyee Chen
Adey Grummet
Kate Huggett
Rosie Middleton
Robin Morton
Melanie Pappenheim
Edmund Phillips
Héloïse Werner
and
Michael Betteridge - music facilitator and conductor
Sam Salem - project mentor
Bernie Whittle - project producer for Fuel
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bf88043549a8d5e87e3e94123bc99c9ede826d87f68260c2e946417d6c65d61b/oracle-R-D.png)
Read a blog of the project journey so far here.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0636de7c4de92714e032aad8a55e2ba3a91a8c800fb970eb730deef0a03de1b0/PRiSM-training-whiteboard.jpg)
Melanie continues to develop this project, with the aim of presentation and touring in 2025.
The project is produced and co-commissioned by Fuel.
Sound and Music’s New Voices 2020/21 is funded by Arts Council England, PRS Foundation and Garfield Weston Foundation.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6ebddbdfc68f36226fe10d7842e7a82b7c3f3326d71117ce3a838279406a2eba/PRiSM-logo-CTA-aspect-ratio-1536x703.png)
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![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3022a31eb883b3cb3b3675de94d21b8a7b56d618e7427ed6aa8f937a1c28152a/grant_png_black.png)
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