Soundwalking remains a central component of MSAE’s work. We host many soundwalks each year, including our summer soundwalk series in Chicago and other events within various natural and urban environments throughout the Midwest. So, what is a soundwalk? The clearest definition, given in 1972 by Hildegard Westerkamp, states that, “A soundwalk is any excursion whose main purpose is listening to the environment”. The term is intentionally broad, and a soundwalk could include a guided tour through a nature preserve as well as an interactive artist performance in downtown Chicago. However, all soundwalks involve walking or movement, and listening, of course.
A look at our summer soundwalk series from 2023 provides a good overview of the vast range in activities that we might call a “soundwalk.” So where to start? The best answer is simple: just go for a walk and listen! Every individual will develop their own practice, as well as their own purpose and methodology. Below are some resources to help get you started, combining a few well-known pioneers of the artform, such as the aforementioned Westerkamp, and MSAE president Eric Leonardson.
Soundwalking by Hildegard Westerkamp:
https://www.sfu.ca/sonic-studio-webdav/WSP_Doc/Booklets/SHWesterkamp.pdf
Kits Beach Soundwalk – Hildegard Westerkamp:
https://empreintesdigitales.bandcamp.com/track/kits-beach-soundwalk
Soundwalking: Through Time, Space, and Technologies, Edited By Jacek Smolicki
https://www.routledge.com/Soundwalking-Through-Time-Space-and-Technologies/Smolicki/p/book/9781032044224?srsltid=AfmBOor9RiCzKXfvk9sUf16KLi6jqJcUGZVZWwJ2B_cBTMooccX5sSVG
How To Soundwalk by Eric Leonardson:
https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/blog/archive/how-to-soundwalk.html
Pauline Oliveros on Deep Listening:
http://archive.soundamerican.org/sa_archive/sa7/sa7-pauline-oliveros-on-deep-listening.html
Amanda Gutierrez: What is a soundwalk?:
https://mwsae.org/video-soundwalks-in-chicago-parks/