Pandemic as Sound: The COVID-19 Composition

Our Data Sources:

#1) https://glitch.com/~rhythm-covidmusic

We took the daily new cases from March until November from the CDC. Next, we sonified the data using web audio and created a syncopated rhythm. Then, we transcribed the rhythmic motif into audible pitches and used a Cello technique called “col legno” to express the data in an aesthetic way.

#2) https://glitch.com/~econ-covidmusic

We took Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) on the monthly employment rate from February to October. We sonified these data and utilized binning to approximate the frequencies we obtained into notes. This became the harmony line of our composition. We expressed these data using a Cello that played the low notes for a longer duration to signify the longer range of these data points.

#3) https://glitch.com/~melody-covidmusic

This is the same CDC data set that we used to obtain our rhythm. However, we chose to sonify only the weekly new cases in order to obtain a functioning melody for our composition. The higher the daily new cases correspond to a higher pitch. Consequently, you can notice the frequencies getting higher and higher over time as the daily infection rate of COVID-19 increases over time. We expressed these notes aesthetically using a piano.

All music is performed by Gabriela (cello) and Brendan (piano).

Personal Story Audios by: Sofia Lopez, TX; Emily, PA; Ronan Locker, OK.