Hear The Forest is an effort to initiate the process of building an aural-map – essentially, an audio time capsule – of New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest. Supported by the National Forest Service and the Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire, this work will be performed by Berklee College of Music Professor, Steve Wilkes, as part of the 2017 Artist-in-residence program.
Furthermore, the hope is to make this a sustainable effort by putting in place the means for the public — residents and visitors, hikers, campers, picnickers, fishermen, loggers, mountain bikers, forest planners, ecosystems managers, bear biologists, etc. – to continue the work in future years.
In addition to his field ecology and sound recording work, Wilkes will offer several public programs, including workshops that will provide residents and visitors with information on contributing to the ongoing sound file collection on the White Mountain NF.
“I am in awe of this opportunity to immerse myself in the act of listening to a National Forest,” he says. “I cannot imagine a more diverse and inspiring soundscape. I hope to be able to express and communicate to others this profound sense of inspiration – and to help everyone slow down a bit, and really listen.”
Steve Wilkes: Producer, Artist-in-residence
David Masher: Web design and development