Project Story: Sonic Music for the Mid-Autumn Festival

Inspiration

The inspiration for this project came from the cover picture of the Mid-Autumn Festival. I wanted to create a piece of music that embodies the peaceful atmosphere of this special time. The scene I imagined was one of sitting beneath a serene moon, surrounded by flowers, where the gentle moonlight made time feel slower. This peaceful, tranquil ambiance was the essence I aimed to capture through the music.

Concept

The idea behind the piece is to convey a sense of leisure and calm, similar to the experience of watching the moon in a quiet, beautiful setting. The music flows in a steady rhythm that reflects the slow passage of time, creating a continuous portrayal of the moonlit scenery. The repetitive, gentle beats evoke the ongoing beauty of the moment.

Location and Setting

The peaceful atmosphere I wanted to convey was inspired by my current environment in Richmond Hill, Canada, where the first snow of the season had just fallen. On a snowy night, the yellow streetlights reflected off the white snow, casting a warm glow that contrasted with the cold, crisp air. This quiet, reflective setting was the perfect backdrop for the tranquil music I created.

Creation Process

Building this project involved integrating the peaceful ambiance with sounds that could express calm and serenity. I used soft melodies, subtle rhythms, and atmospheric tones to bring the scene of moonlight and snow to life.

Challenges

One of the biggest challenges I faced was capturing the essence of peace through sound. It was difficult to balance the gentle rhythms with the need to evoke a strong sense of stillness and tranquility. Another major challenge was learning how to code in Sonia, which was necessary to create the music. It took time to edit the durations of notes and rhythms to ensure the piece felt as serene as possible. But through experimentation, I was able to overcome these technical obstacles.

What I Learned

Through this project, I learned how music can be used as a powerful tool to evoke specific feelings and atmospheres. I also gained a deeper understanding of how environmental factors—such as weather and time of day—can influence artistic expression. Additionally, learning to code in Sonia gave me a new technical skill, while the process of editing durations and rhythms taught me patience and attention to detail.