Genresis is a term coined for this three part sound composition that stands for genre synthesis and genre genesis. My aim is to synthesize acoustic recordings of different genres and merge with experimental and electronic music. In Genresis III, the AI narrator sounds human and almost not detectable that it is generated. Genresis III is the most organic and natural sounding of the three parts of Genresis and is noticeably voiced by a female AI. This change in narrator is meant to make Genresis III the most inviting and comforting installment. This decision to progressively change the narrator’s artificialness from maximum to undetectable captures the real time evolution of the progress AI is making as well as symbolizing our growing acceptance of this technology in our everyday lives.

This composition starts with a familiar instrument- an acoustic 12 string guitar. When the drums and bass join into the audio story, the music invites the listener to be taken away by the current of where music is taking us. Music is the sonic mirror of society. Music dismantles barriers, both as a reaction to our society and is a catalyst to ignite a generation to act. The profound power of music to act as both an agent of change and a bridge between worlds is ascribed to no other art. Music invites the listener to interact with the art either in nodding a foot or singing along to a chorus.

With such a diverse range of genres, we see how music captures the human experience like none other. Cultures can cherish their unique forms of music and instruments made within their cultural history.

There are dangers though. Just as music can be used as a catalyst for change, it can be harnessed by those with ill intentions. The use of eerie sounding electronic music amplifies this feeling of unease. Music can be used to adopt cultures into a collective assimilated bundle of melodies packaged for commercial gain for a targeted audience. Music becomes boiled down to songwriting formulas and loses track of the intrinsic power of itself.

What music is uniquely capable of doing is transporting the listener into a story never before experienced. Greater empathy can be gained through listening to the struggles of a person singing their heart out.

To represent the parabellic power that music conveys, Genresis III ends with a rendition of Sonata in A Maj. written by Dominic Scarlatti around the year 1775. This recording sample that I produced is performed by one the most prominent guiding forces in my professional musical career, Alister Smith. Alister is my first guitar instructor and musical mentor who is a classical guitar instructor at Illinois Wesleyan University. This recording of Sonata in A Maj. was recorded December 22nd, 2022 at Illinois State University’s Center of Visual Arts. The decision to end Genresis is to reference my origin story. Where I began as a guitar player to where I am as a professional music composer is a perfect symbol of how music is constantly being recycled. What we humans do with that recycling of notes and chords is remarkable. The continuing synthesis of musical genres with digital and acoustic instruments guides our understanding of what it is to use music as a medium of art.

Genresis is a summary of my musical understanding and abilities inside this medium of sound art. Genresis III is a proper resolution to the questions posed throughout this sound narrative. Music is a medium of expression. Music is a purpose people use to keep living. Music changes the world. Music is fine art. 

Released October 18, 2023
Composer, Guitar, Bass, Scriptwriter, Production - Noah Renken-Kapatos

Classical Guitar - Alister Smith

Lyrics:
Music is The Sonic Mirror of Society

In the tapestry of human existence, the resonance of music has echoed since time immemorial. Its origins, shrouded in mystery, have stirred the curiosity of scholars and storytellers alike.

In the realm of music, a profound revelation unfolded- a mirror reflecting the ever-evolving society. Music was no passive bystander; it was an entity, dynamic and responsive. It captured the zeitgeist of each era, resonating with societal progress. Perhaps one of the most exciting themes is how music can transmit values and stir up deep emotions. It has this incredible ability to make us feel, to understand, and to challenge the status quo.

However, music isn't merely a passive bystander in this process; it possesses the power to be an agent of change. It can serve as a champion of tolerance and acceptance, bringing together individuals from diverse walks of life. It becomes a powerful catalyst for dismantling barriers and celebrating our rich tapestry of diversity. With a harmonious voice, it can champion tolerance and acceptance. Music forever is weaving disparate threads into a rich tapestry of diversity.

But within this symphony, a shadow can loom. Dominant musical styles can cast their imposing shadows, threatening to eclipse unique cultural expressions. Blurring the vibrant colors of diversity into a more homogenous landscape. Musical homogenization can adopt meaningful traditions into a commercially packaged box that loses its value. It can become exclusive to the elite by defining fine art truly as something limited to classifications by prestigious institutions.

Music can, and is, fine art in its own right.

One of the most captivating themes that emerge is purely the profound power of music. It was not merely a melody or verse; it was an emotional megaphone that amplified society's deepest values and stirred the deepest of emotions. It was a clarion call for change, a bridge between worlds, and a voice for the voiceless.

Stories conveyed through the medium of music, like parables of old, illuminated the multifaceted nature of the essence of music. It was more than notes and lyrics. It was a potent tool, shaping cultures and guiding humanity toward a harmonious and interconnected world. They reminded us that music, with its symphony of diversity and unity, remained an enduring hallmark of the human experience, echoing through the annals of time like a timeless melody.

Music is more than just melodies and lyrics. It's a powerful tool that both reflects and shapes our cultures, pushing us to be more accepting, inclusive, and open-minded. For some people, music is their reason for continued existence in response to an unforgiving and ever changing cultural landscape. Music is their joy. Music can heal the mind and bring together a fractious world.

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