A CONSERVATION charity has announced a new ongoing project which will capture music from trees to be used in a choral performance.

Andover Trees United (ATU) has launched a new project, Voices in Harmony, which aims to celebrate woodlands through shared memories and music.

The project was conceived in collaboration with musician Paul Sartin and sound artist Justin Wiggin.

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Alongside the performance, the project also included a series of workshops hosted by Justin, the last of which took place on April 25.

These workshops captured bio-metric signals of trees and, through midi signals, made them audible as music.

The workshops also collected stories and memories from participants.

These collected words will be combined with the voices of the trees to create a “tree shanty” composition, which will be performed alongside traditional and reimagined folk songs in Harmony Woods, the charity’s 12-acre community planted woodland.

This celebratory performance will take place on Saturday, July 16, and feature an intergenerational choir made up of local residents.

ATU hopes that the project will produce a collection of works that will seed future school- and community-based choral workshops, as well as an annual performance in Harmony Woods.

About the project, Paul Sartin said: “Like so many things, choirs and music groups had to come to a sharp halt when lockdowns began, and people are understandably feeling nervous about returning to group singing.

“It is hoped this project will give people the opportunity to come together, flex their vocal muscles and find their voice in the wonderful setting of Harmony Woods.”

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Since 2012, Andover Trees United has organised the planting of 10,000 trees collectively with 10,000 local school children and community volunteers.

The soundscapes created for this project will be part of ATU’s 10-year anniversary – celebrating success in sustainable community conservation.

ATU founder and leader Wendy Davis said: “This is a great opportunity for local residents to enjoy their local environment, work with some of the country’s best folk musicians and get involved with one of our 10th year celebratory projects.”

Voices in Harmony is taking place from April through to July.

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