Voices of the living world: sound and song gathering

An outdoor gathering to listen, make sounds and sing together in nature

As autumn draws in, join us for an outdoor walk and fireside gathering to explore and deepen our relationship with the living world through listening, sound-making and song.

Whether you love to sing or are simply curious about lending your voice to the sounds of autumn, you are warmly welcome. No singing experience is needed — just curiosity and a willingness to listen, experiment and join in, in whatever way feels comfortable for you. You are welcome to take part through listening as well as making sounds or singing.

Together, we’ll explore our relationship with place through sound. We’ll pause to listen to the world around us: birdsong, wind moving through trees, fallen leaves rustling underfoot and the quieter sounds we might otherwise overlook. Through gentle, mindful invitations, we’ll listen, echo what we hear, and offer our own sounds as a way of greeting the plants, trees and wider living world. You might explore on your own, with a partner or as part of the group.

Later, we’ll gather around a firepit to weave our sounds and voices together, discovering harmonies and creating songs from what we’ve heard and shared. It’s an opportunity to meet others from different walks of life, share our different experiences and bring our voices into the mix. Together, we’ll explore how sound and song can help us connect with one another, with the place we’re in and with the wider living world.

Hot chocolate, rosehip tea, chestnuts and other treats will help keep us warm!

Programme outline 

• 1.15pm: Meet at Cambridge Heath Overground station (exit to be confirmed).
• Welcome, introductions and a walk through Victoria Park towards Mile End Park.
• Mindful invitations to listen to, echo and greet the living world with sound.
• Arrival at Mile End Community Garden for fireside sound-making, song creation and singing.
• Hot chocolate, rosehip tea, chestnuts and other treats.
• A reflective circle and closing sounds and songs.
• 4.00pm: Walk together towards Mile End Station.

What to bring
We’ll be outdoors throughout, so please dress warmly and comfortably for the weather.

• Warm layers and a jacket.
• Closed shoes and warm socks.
• A water bottle.

A few practical notes

• We’ll be walking through the parks at a gentle pace, with opportunities to pause along the way. Please bear in mind that the route may include uneven or muddy paths. If you have questions about the walk or access arrangements, please get in touch before the event so we can discuss what might help you take part.
• The gathering is designed to be welcoming to people with different backgrounds, history of settlement, experiences and levels of confidence. You don’t need to be a singer or a nature expert, and there’s no pressure to make a sound or sing if you’d rather listen. You’re invited to participate in whatever way feels right for you.
• The session will take place outdoors, including time around a firepit, so please come prepared for autumn weather. We’ll confirm any arrangements in the event of particularly poor weather.

Come as you are. Bring your curiosity, your voice — in whatever form it takes — and an openness to listening to the world and to one another!