about soundwalks The soundwalk is a practice of focused listening in which one moves through an environment with complete attention to sound. Any environment, at any time of day or night, can provide space for soundwalking. Sometimes the walks are guided by a written or verbal instruction (a "score") and sometimes not. The participants may walk blindfolded, or stand still, or move in response to the soundfield. Sometimes the walker activates the soundscape - "playing along" with the sounds - using the voice, musical instruments or objects encountered along the way. On occasion the walks are recorded and other times they are simply free form ambles through sound filled places. The walks are usually followed by an informal conversation about sound, listening, noise and music. There exists a 30-year plus history of soundwalking, particularly among soundscape composers who work, either through electronic or acoustic means, with the sounds of natural and built environments. Under the guidance of R. Murray Schafer, a small group of musicians and activists set forth on the World Soundscape Project in the early 1970s in an attempt to document and raise awareness of the world's acoustic environments. Myriad recordings and publications arose from this process and the work of the World Soundscape Project, with it's legacy of soundwalking, soundscape documentation and acoustic awareness, continues to inspire composers, artists and acoustic ecologists today. Some of the many people who have been influenced by and expanded upon this work include Darren Copeland, Victoria Fenner, Andra McCartney, Barry Truax, and Hildegard Westerkamp. Sound artist and educator Andra MaCartney's website on soundwalking is a great place for more details. A collection of links to many more soundscape and soundwalk projects and artists can be found at Promenade Sonore, a site organized by the Canadian Elecotroacoustic Community (CEC) and eContact!. The World Forum for Acoustic Ecology is an excellent starting point for more information about noise and health issues related to sound, writing and research about sound, and art about sound as well as updates on local sound news and events occurring in acoustic ecology affiliate organizations around the world. text prepared by Michelle Nagai, 2004

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