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Program Notes
The most important scientific discoveries of the dawning century
will no doubt be related to our increased understanding of
the human genome. Although 50 years have passed since the
discovery of the physical structure of DNA, the complete map
of the human genome was completed only a few short years ago.
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule, but a fantastically
complex one. It is bundled together into 46 individual groups,
called chromosomes, and packed into the nucleus of nearly
every one of your 10 thousand trillion cells. Each cell contains
nearly 6 feet of DNA, which means that the average adult is
carrying around more than 12.4 million miles of genetic material.
That’s enough to circle the earth 500 times at the equator.
This amazing substance is the written code for building
life. Using an alphabet of only four letters, DNA is a coded
digital recipe for building proteins. The same alphabet and
syntax are shared by all living things. Each of the four letters,
called nucleotide bases, is read together in three-letter
words called codons. Each codon stands for one of 20 amino
acids. These amino acids are combined to create even more
complex proteins, and all living things are made of proteins.
If the genome is a book, chromosomes are chapters, individual
genes are paragraphs, codons are words, and nucleotide bases
are letters.
When a complete copy of the human genome was mapped in 2000,
I became fascinated with using this data as source material
in a musical composition. The virtually limitless supply of
non-random data is perfectly suited to providing source material
for composition. The fact that these data represent the code
for life itself appeals to the artist as well as the scientist.
This first step was to devise a system to convert DNA into
musical pitches. A four-letter alphabet is not sufficient
for each nucleotide base to represent a pitch. Conversely,
the 20 amino acids are too many for each to represent a pitch.
The solution lies in the fact that some amino acids are used
more frequently than others. The 12 most-common amino acids
were arranged in a series and each assigned a musical pitch,
and the 8 least-common acids were arranged in a second, incomplete
pitch series. The 4 most common acids in series one were reserved
for the 4 pitches that are not accessed by the incomplete
second series. (See table below). By this method, each of
the 20 amino acids has similar odds of selecting one of the
12 musical pitches.
The next step was to download random sections of the human
genome, and derive long chains of pitches. I started at random
points on each chromosome, encoding musical pitches until
enough thematic material existed for a five-movement symphony.
Because much of the material was too random to make melodic
sense, I ended up encoding about four times more sequences
than needed. Allowing myself the freedom to pick and choose
interesting sequences, I was able to find melodic passages
that naturally implied a harmonic structure. Once the basic
themes were decided upon, even more genetic material was encoded
for use as small musical interjections, counterpoints, and
other musical effects. Although the music was composed freely
after this point, a strong preference was reserved for material
that was derived directly. At several points during the composition
process, I went back for more data when it became clear that
a melodic passage of a certain shape or character was needed.
In its final form, this work for winds and percussion is
very loosely based on the formal structures of some of my
favorite symphonies. Genome: Symphony No. 1 for band was commissioned
by Dr. Joseph Scagnoli and The Ball State University Wind
Ensemble. The commission and premier performance were part
of the celebration of the new Sursa Performance Hall on the
Ball State University Campus.
Table of Codon to Pitch Conversion
Codon
Amino Acid
Pitch Series
Pitch
GCA
Alanine
1
A
GCC
Alanine
1
A
GCG
Alanine
1
A
GCT
Alanine
1
A
AGA
Arginine
1
B
AGG
Arginine
1
B
CGA
Arginine
1
B
CGC
Arginine
1
B
CGG
Arginine
1
B
CGT
Arginine
1
B
AAC
Asparagine
2
G
AAT
Asparagine
2
G
GAC
Aspartic acid
2
A
GAT
Aspartic acid
2
A
TGC
Cysteine
2
B
TGT
Cysteine
2
B
GAA
Glutamic acid
2
B
GAG
Glutamic acid
2
B
CAA
Glutamine
1
B
CAG
Glutamine
1
B
GGA
Glycine
1
C
GGC
Glycine
1
C
GGG
Glycine
1
C
GGT
Glycine
1
C
CAC
Histidine
1
D
CAT
Histidine
1
D
ATA
Isoleucine
1
D
ATC
Isoleucine
1
D
ATT
Isoleucine
1
D
CTA
Leucine
1
E
CTC
Leucine
1
E
CTG
Leucine
1
E
CTT
Leucine
1
E
TTA
Leucine
1
E
TTG
Leucine
1
E
AAA
Lysine
1
E
AAG
Lysine
2
E
ATG
Methionine*
2
C
TTC
Phenylalanine
2
D
TTT
Phenylalanine
2
D
CCA
Proline
1
F
CCC
Proline
1
F
CCG
Proline
1
F
CCT
Proline
1
F
AGC
Serine
1
G
AGT
Serine
1
G
TCA
Serine
1
G
TCC
Serine
1
G
TCG
Serine
1
G
TCT
Serine
1
G
ACA
Threonine
1
G
ACC
Threonine
1
G
ACG
Threonine
1
G
ACT
Threonine
1
G
TGG
Tryptophan
2
E
TAC
Tyrosine
2
F
TAT
Tyrosine
2
F
GTA
Valine
1
A
GTC
Valine
1
A
GTG
Valine
1
A
GTT
Valine
1
A
TAA
STOP
x
x
TAG
STOP
x
x
TGA
STOP
x
x
* When within a sequence.
When ATG is at the start of a gene, it means "begin encoding."
