Acoustic Ecology

Soundwalking and soundscape composition are both informed by an assocation with acoustic ecology, the study of sound environments. This association with the context of sounds makes soundscape composition quite different from the traditions of musique concrete and acousmatic music, other forms of electroacoustic music which use recorded sounds that are taken out of their context. An important way to begin learning more about sound environments is to listen more closely to sounds and their relationship to the larger sound world, becoming more aware of changes and imbalances in the acoustic environment. For instance, in the Queen Elizabeth Park soundscape, the recent absence of fountains near the parking lot has changed the soundscape in that area. The large crowds of people who come to see the sunsets at the park create a soundscape full of human voices, which (together with the air-conditioning sound) dominates the sound environment at the lookout.

The World Forum for Acoustic Ecology has a huge, well-organized and informative website with sound and text research archives, links to composers, acousticians, educators and other professionals in the field, and information about events, equipment, and publications.

Recently, a number of regional organizations have sprung up around the world. In Canada, there is the Canadian Association for Sound Ecology, which encourages Canadian work in this area. I am on the board of CASE. If you would like more information, feel free to contact me: andra@yorku.ca