Mindgrub Technologies, a prominent technology consulting firm, has partnered with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) to present a first-of-its-kind celebratory event highlighting the incredible musical talent of the BSO and the endless possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The event, “AI in A Minor,” will take place at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on August 9th, 2023. The evening includes interactive demonstrations that seamlessly blend technology and music, by having a BSO chamber ensemble perform original compositions created using generative AI technology. The event is also designed to showcase the Baltimore region’s vibrant community of tech and artistic talent – and the region’s overall potential for continued creativity and innovation.
“The Baltimore Symphony has a national reputation for thinking outside the box. This collaboration exemplifies our dedication to innovation and highlights the boundless possibilities that emerge when traditional art forms embrace new technological frontiers,” said Mark C. Hanson, President & CEO of the BSO. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Mindgrub, GBC, and others to host this pioneering exploration of the fusion between technology and art at the Meyerhoff, featuring BSO musicians, as part of our expansive summer season.”
Doors open at 5:00pm, when attendees will have the opportunity to experience AI, ChatGPT, and virtual reality in unique artistic, food, and beverage applications. The mainstage concert and panel event will commence at 7pm, featuring performances of established and newly composed pieces for chamber ensemble by members of the Orchestra. Throughout the evening, leading technologists and creatives will shed light on the AI-generated compositional process and explore the implications, possibilities, and transformative potential that AI brings to the forefront of the artistic landscape.
The AI-generated compositions leverage the power of Amazon Web Services (AWS)’ machine learning and AI cloud technologies, alongside a range of open-source and commercial tools. By using various models, AI can generate music that is influenced by existing artists like Philip Glass, Nat King Cole, and Taylor Swift, while adhering to a specific style of music and instrumental constraints. Once generated, the music is transformed into sheet music, enabling the talented musicians of the BSO to bring it to life through their performances.
“Our region’s innovation economy and dynamic tech talent will transform science, logistics, and culture and shape the future of business. The collaboration today is a celebration of the all-hands-on-deck approach we’ll take to ensure our economic aspirations are accessible and leverage our existing institutions as the foundation for growth,” said GBC President & CEO Mark Anthony Thomas.
In May, the Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), launched the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) competition, a $10 billion initiative to designate at least 20 new Tech Hub Cities. GBC is leading the coordinated, multi-faceted strategy to secure this designation, and biotechnology and artificial intelligence have been identified as two key differentiating factors in supporting the region’s overall bid.
Jason Michael Perry, BSO Board Member and Mindgrub’s Chief Technology Officer, expresses: “’AI in A Minor’ reflects our shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and creativity, and we are honored to help facilitate this intersection of art and innovation. Partnerships like those with the BSO and GBC showcase how technology, business, and the arts communities can work together to make this city a top technology hub.”
Music and technology enthusiasts as well as families and people of all ages are invited to join in this extraordinary evening. Tickets start at $25 per person. For more information and seat reservations, please visit https://my.bsomusic.org/overview/18690.
About Mindgrub | Mindgrub Technologies is an award-winning digital agency whose mission is to create technology that people love to use—technology that makes lives better, jobs easier, and helps businesses thrive. Since 2002, Mindgrub has led digital transformations for global leaders including Exelon, NASA, and Wendy’s, and has been featured in Newsweek, CNN, and The Huffington Post. For more information about how Mindgrub can help your brand, connect with their experts at mindgrub.com/contact.
About Baltimore Symphony Orchestra | For over a century, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has been recognized as one of America’s leading orchestras and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural institutions. The orchestra is internationally renowned and locally admired for its innovation, performances, recordings, and educational outreach initiatives including OrchKids. The BSO performs annually for more than 275,000 people throughout the State of Maryland. Since 1982, the BSO has performed at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, and since 2005, with the opening of The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD, the BSO became the nation’s first orchestra performing its full season of classical and pops concerts in two metropolitan areas. In July 2022, the BSO once again made musical history with its announcement that Jonathon Heyward would succeed Music Director Laureate and OrchKids Founder Marin Alsop as the Orchestra’s next Music Director. Maestro Heyward begins his five-year contract in the 2023-24 season. To learn more, visit bsomusic.org.
About Greater Baltimore Committee | The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) is the leading voice for the private sector in the Baltimore region, providing insightful economic and civic leadership to drive collective impact. Composed of more than 500 organizations, including large, mid-size, and small companies, nonprofits, foundations, and educational and healthcare institutions, the GBC is dedicated to fostering the prosperity of the Greater Baltimore region. For more information, visit gbc.org.
