Forest Étude

by Lauren Hill

As a musician, I have chosen to center sound in this creative and contemplative journey by collecting audio samples to enhance my reflective process. I recorded the initial samples near our walking group, capturing voices, laughing, footsteps, the crunch of leaves and gravel, as well as the distant sounds of traffic. As we ventured further into the forest, I captured a second set of audio samples that prominently featured the sounds of nature, including bird calls, the wind, and rustling leaves. These audio recordings, layered with improvised keyboard and xylophone melodies, formed the basis of a sound collage inspired by the musical form musique concrète. Entitled Forest Étude, this short composition allows me to practice connection, tension, and release. It serves as an invitation to the listener to ponder the human experience within the intricate tapestry of the natural world.