Compositional and Performance Impacts of the Innova MIDI Flute

This dissertation explores the background of the Innova MIDI flute, as well as the design, build, and compositional/performance impacts of the radically new design. Through the creation and introduction of a true MIDI-capable flute, my research addresses a need which currently exists within the field of contemporary performance. While MIDI capabilities have been used with piano, guitar, percussive instruments, and others, the flute has been neglected in the field of performance research. It is my desire to provide flutists with the opportunity to be at the forefront of an evolving art form, and to create music with MIDI functions on stage during live performance, with access to the acoustic flute tone, extended techniques, and MIDI-infused music. This research will not only affect performers, particularly flutists, but also composers. The introduction of this new instrument will provide an innovative tool for the contemporary field of music composition. In designing and developing the Innova MIDI Flute, my primary objective was to fill a need for both performers and composers. From the onset of my research, I have worked with prominent MIDI experts, composers, and flutists to ensure my final product would fulfill all requirements. Feedback from Dennis Patrick, and Bruno Degazio, leaders in the Electroacoustic field; Christos Hatzis and Russell Hartenberger, highly respected contemporary composers, both familiar with MIDI technologies; and Robert Aitken and Douglas Stewart, both professional flutists, has served to ensure the final design reflects the needs of both performers and composers. To date, an instrument has not been available for flutists, or composers, which is able to access all three forms of musical repertoire: classical, contemporary, and MIDI, on one instrument. The dissertation looks at how and why this new design for the MIDI flute evolved, and why its introduction is so significant in the music community.DM