Introduction

The Chorus of Nature is a narrative recorded over music. The narrative is an extension of a phenomenological investigation I had completed in 2002. I recorded the music myself using a hide drum, a native flute, shakers, my voice, and a modified flute. A few of the participants, involved with this investigation, utilized the native flute, so I deemed it appropriate to use a similar approach here. However, the music does not represent my findings, the narration does. That stated, I believe the music does present these findings in a moving format suited to a study considering the effects of music. In what follows, I include a brief outline of my study.

The Study: The Experience of Playing a Musical Instrument in Nature

The purpose of the phenomenological investigation was to explore the lived experience of people who have utilized a musical instrument during a nature-based leisure event. In so doing, I hoped to learn more about how people connect to the natural environment in powerful and meaningful ways. Knowledge of such positive activities are of value if attitudes, or more accurately, if emotional connections are to be made with the natural environment for the attainment of pro-environmental behaviours.

My research question was as follows: What is the emotional experience of a nature-based leisure event that incorporates (live) music? I have incorporated the central findings (a collection of themes) of this study into a narrated song. The song depicts the experience in a first person narrative. The recording of this project was done in my living room with minimal equipment. However, I recorded / edited the sounds on my computer to add reverb and echo to better mimic music in a natural area. Through this narrated song, I have attempted to capture the experience in a rather brief but moving format.

To learn more about this research project, follow the link to my resource page and scroll down to the area on research.
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