For a Mindfulness Monday, enjoy a minute’s-worth of birdsong, recorded in a Kentish woodland on a cold Sunday in January.
Amongst other birdsong, it’s the sound of two woodpeckers exchanging drilled messages ricocheting off the trees that is particularly striking.
Enjoy a tranquil soundscape, bringing the outdoors to you.
I’ve just come from a trial session in the concert-hall in preparation for a unique event as part of University activities for World Mental Health Day 2019.
At lunchtime on Thursday 10 October, we’ll be turning the concert-hall into a tranquil forest environment, bathing the hall in birdsong and the sounds of a natural forest alongside beautiful photographic images of forest views.
Sitting in the midst of Colyer-Fergusson Hall, it was possible to lose yourself in the audio and visual environment to the point where it almost felt as though you were actually outside; the dimly-lit hall was transformed into a haven of tranquility, a welcome respite from the frantic activity and the demands of the Digital World at the start of a new academic year.
Next Thursday, we’ll open the doors of the concert-hall and people are invited simply to come for as long or as short a time as they wish, to sit in stillness and enjoy a meditative environment which (if the trial session proves anything to go by) promises to be a wonderfully relaxing experience.
The event starts at 1.10pm and admission is free; the doors will be left open for visitors to come and go whenever the wish. Come and experience the outdoors indoors…
If you’ve ever wondered what composer Benjamin Britten might have been listening to, as he took his post-prandial ‘composing walks’ around Aldeburgh in the afternoon, now you can find out.
Famed wildlife sound-recordist Chris Watson has spent a year following in the composer’s footsteps, armed with a microphone – a clip of his findings is available to listen to, in his article in The Guardian earlier this week.
From birdsong to pealing church-bells, it’s an evocative exploration of the soundworld surrounding Britten’s daily walks through the Suffolk countryside – and all from the comfort of your own armchair.
Listen for yourself here.
