This thesis was written for the purpose of exploring the artistic development experienced by an individual while they attempt to compose music. In unique fashion, I have chosen to be the subject of my own thesis. The reason I chose to write my thesis on this topic was so that I could simultaneously improve my limited music composition skills while also attempting to provide valuable scholarship for the students and faculty of the future.

The objective of this thesis is to document my artistic progress while composing music. As a result, I have accomplished this objective by composing a song cycle consisting of five songs. Over the past year, I have used a journal to document each step I took while writing the text and composing the music. My song cycle uses elements of atonal music as well as spoken voice. The composition of the music also uses the process of improvisation.

Throughout this process, I have noticed one key element that I have faced time and time again and that is the continuous cycle of trial and error. However, I overcame each setback by encouraging myself to explore alternative solutions for each error encountered.

One aspect I could have done differently was to have a concrete plan in place from the very start for how to accomplish my final goal of writing a coherent song cycle. Since I was oblivious to how complicated composing can be, I was not prepared for the amount of knowledge one must have before composing a work of their own. I could have greatly helped this endeavor by taking, for example, a course specifically on composition in my last semester. At a minimum, this type of course would have given me a good framework and elementary understanding of the process.

Nevertheless, I was able to successfully rely on relevant books and articles to accomplish the objective of this thesis. The material I used – and that I often sourced here – helped guide me through the compositional process by giving me insight into how to organize my composition and how to find mistakes within my work.

In conclusion, I have successfully been able to complete this thesis by making a composition of my own. I have accomplished this goal by evaluating my work in order to find solutions for any setbacks I faced. By encouraging myself to write the text and freeing myself through the art of improvisation my song cycle was born.