Nature notes: A tree-inspired music workshop

Join us for a day of music-making under the trees at The Glade, Dartington.Together, we’ll create musical soundscapes inspired by the surrounding woodland. Using a Plantwave device, we’ll ‘listen’ to the electrical impulses of nearby plants and respond musically with handpans and other percussion instruments. If you enjoy singing, there’ll also be an opportunity to write a song together—though if you’d prefer to stick with playing, that’s absolutely fine. All instruments will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you wish. No prior musical experience is needed—handpans are intuitive and easy to play, and we’ll find ways for everyone to join in.

This event is aimed at adults; older children who are interested in music making are welcome if accompanied but please be aware the event is not designed for a younger audience.

What to Bring

· A packed lunch

· Water or drinks to last the day

· Sturdy footwear (we’ll be moving across uneven ground)

· Warm and waterproof layers, hat, or any other outdoor essentials depending on the weather

· A camping chair if you’d prefer it to benches or mats although there will be plenty of places to sit

Site Information

Please take a look at parking and directions: https://thewoodland.co/directions/

There are a number of different parking options available. All of these will require a walk of between 5-15 minutes depending on your chosen location. If you have access needs, please let us know—there are two on-site parking spaces available which can be reserved in advance if needed.There are compost toilets onsite with handwashing facilities.

Find out more about The Glade here: https://thewoodland.co/the-glade/

Address: The Glade, Parsonage Copse, North Woods, Dartington, Totnes, Devon, TQ9

Meeting location what3words///buzz.unicorns.weekday

*** Please aim to arrive on site just before 10am, this may require arriving at your chosen car park for 9.45am*** any problems on the day give Jasmine a call on 07903 217259.

About your hosts

Lyndon Forster

Lyndon is a musician, ecologist and educator with a long-standing interest in the connections between people, nature and creativity. He has been a percussionist for over 25 years, with the handpan becoming his main instrument in recent years.Through We Need Music CIC, which he co-runs with his wife Laura, Lyndon leads music workshops and woodland retreats that use sound and rhythm to support wellbeing and connection through his project, Pankind.Alongside his music work, Lyndon has a background in ecology and horticulture. He holds a BSc in Zoology and Ecology and a Permaculture Design Certificate, and has worked in roles ranging from countryside ranger and conservation grazier to therapeutic gardening facilitator and ecology lecturer. He enjoys bringing this wide-ranging experience into creative, outdoor and community-based settings.Whether through music or ecology, Lyndon is passionate about creating spaces where people can reconnect—with themselves, each other, and the natural world.

Laura Forster

Laura is a community musician, singer and songwriter with a passion for making music accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for all.As a Forest School Leader with an MA in Youth and Community Work, she brings a thoughtful, creative approach to her sessions, drawing on years of experience in a wide range of community settings.Laura combines music and nature to offer relaxed, uplifting experiences that support wellbeing, creativity and connection. Whether through group singing, songwriting, or gentle outdoor sound explorations, her work invites people to engage with music in a welcoming, down-to-earth way.Laura co-runs We Need Music CIC and runs the Lullabubbas early years project.

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Saving Devon's Treescapes

The session is part of the Saving Devon's Treescapes project, our events help participants tune in to local treescapes and appreciate the trees that surround us.

Saving Devon's Treescapes is led by Devon Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum. It's a partnership project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as well as other funders. Read more about the project and find other ways to get involved here: https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/what-we-do/our-projects/saving-devons-treescapes