@article {99,
	title = {A Variable Neighborhood Search Algorithm for Composing First Species Counterpoint Musical Fragments},
	volume = {2011017},
	number = {Technical Report 2011:017- UA, Faculty of Applied Economics},
	year = {2011},
	month = {October},
	type = {Working paper, University of Antwerp, Faculty of Applied Economics},
	abstract = {In this paper a variable neighbourhood search (VNS) algorithm is developed that can generate musical fragments of arbitrary length consisting of a cantus firmus and a first species counterpoint melody. The objective function of the algorithm is based on a quantification of existing counterpoint rules. The VNS algorithm developed in this paper is a local search algorithm that starts from a randomly generated melody and improves it by changing one or two notes at a time. A thorough parametric analysis of the VNS reveals the significance of the algorithm{\textquoteright}s parameters on the quality of the composed fragment, as well as their optimal settings. The VNS algorithm has been implemented in a user-friendly software environment for composition, called Optimuse. Optimuse allows a user to specify a number of characteristics such as length, key, and mode. Based on this information, Optimuse {\textquotedblleft}composes{\textquotedblright} both a cantus firmus and a first species counterpoint melody. Alternatively, the user may specify a cantus firmus, and let Optimuse compose only an accompanying first species counterpoint melody.},
	issn = {Technical Report 2011:017- UA, Faculty of Applied Economics},
	url = {http://ideas.repec.org/p/ant/wpaper/2011017.html},
	author = {D. Herremans and K. S{\"o}rensen}
}
