WHAT IS SOUND SENSE?

Explore the Power of Sound with Sound Sense

Sound Sense is an immersive, multi-sensory journey where music and science brilliantly merge.

In this unique experience, you'll explore how sound vibrations are created and travel, helping us interpret the world around us. Through engaging sound experiments, energetic rhythm games, and creative movement activities, you'll uncover the therapeutic nature of sound. You'll also learn how we utilize all our senses to perceive and understand it. The concepts you'll discover will transform your understanding of listening, opening you to a state of being and connection. This deeper appreciation for sound will help us reconnect with our stewardship of the Earth and beyond.

Why is understanding how we interact with Sound Important?

Unlock the Power of Sound: Navigating Our World with Greater Awareness

Understanding how sound vibrations influence our perception isn't just fascinating—it's a powerful tool for navigating the world around us. Have you ever wondered why certain sounds cause anxiety, while others instantly soothe us? Or whether sounds can even contribute to violent behavior?

By actively listening to the soundscape, we gain invaluable clues about environmental health, the changing seasons, and even the time of day. This heightened awareness empowers us to make conscious decisions and develop meaningful solutions for both mitigating harmful noise in our environment and preserving the natural sounds that are often masked by increasing human activity.

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Benefits to having a deeper understanding of sound

Elevating Our Human Experience:

Sound profoundly shapes our emotions, thoughts, and even our physiological state. By understanding how different frequencies and patterns impact us – from the calming effect of nature sounds to the anxiety-inducing nature of noise pollution – we can make conscious choices to cultivate more positive and supportive auditory environments. This awareness empowers us to harness sound for relaxation, focus, emotional well-being, and even therapy.

Informing Us About Our Environment

The "soundscape" of our surroundings is a rich tapestry of information. Listening closely to environmental sounds provides clues about the health of an ecosystem, the changing seasons, and even the time of day. Recognizing the "voices" of nature, like the diversity of bird calls, can signal a thriving habitat, while an absence of such sounds might indicate environmental degradation. This auditory insight allows us to become more attuned to our planet and encourages greater environmental stewardship.

Revealing the World of Other Creatures:

Animals rely on sound in remarkably sophisticated ways for their survival and social interactions. From the intricate echolocation used by bats and dolphins to navigate and hunt in darkness, to the long-distance communication of whales and elephants using low-frequency sounds, understanding animal acoustics reveals the hidden complexities of the natural world. This knowledge fosters a deeper appreciation for biodiversity and highlights the critical role sound plays in the lives of countless species.

A Direct Line to the Cosmos: Our Universal Frequency:

Imagine sound not just as vibrations, but as a fundamental, universal frequency that permeates existence. Just as a single note resonates within a symphony, understanding sound reveals our inherent resonance with this cosmic hum. This perspective offers a sense of being part of something vast and interconnected, providing a direct, energetic link to the cosmos itself. It suggests that, at our core, we are attuned to a universal vibration, offering a tangible connection to the spiritual fabric of the universe.

Exploration and Experimentation

is Essential

SOUND SENSE EXPERIENCES BOOKING NOW available 2026/2027

Sound Walks: Discover Your World Through Sound (30-90mins)

Immerse yourself in your surroundings and explore new ways of interacting with the soundscape. While traditionally enjoyed in parks and forests, soundwalks are equally fascinating in a bustling city or a quiet town—you'll be amazed by the everyday sounds you experience. Mad Composer Lab offers guided soundwalks, helping you discover and feel sounds both near and far.

Oregon (June-September, Portland Metro Area) Southern California (October-December).

Sound Hike/Backpacking: (2 hours - 10 days)

For teenagers and young adults craving a unique outdoor adventure, a Sound Hike offers an extended journey into the world of sound. Beyond a typical sound walk, these outings provide ample time to fully engage with your surroundings. You'll participate in activities like journaling your auditory discoveries, making your own field recordings to capture the moment, and discussing the many ways sound can contribute to healing and well-being. It’s an adventure designed for deeper connection and reflection.

Oregon Locations include Dry Creek Falls (PCT)

Sound Sense Summer Camp (Color, Movement, and Emotions) The lines were drawn with the body. Colors were chosen based on feelings or from what was ‘seen’ in the lines. Each drawing is then interpreted into music using sounds from objects in the space.

Cymatics is looking at the behavior of sound waves. In this exploration, we used tuning forks and mallets to see how each one created different shapes. Oh! and food coloring…

Indoor Assemblies (TK-6, 45-50 mins)

Assembly 1 (VERY POPULAR)

RHYTHM

What is rhythm? Well, it’s an illusion created through sound. Using a basic call and response, participants will engage their voices, bodies, and small hand percussion to produce simple rhythms by clapping, tapping their bodies, and vocalizing. By the end, everyone will have

a newfound awareness of movement, hand-eye coordination, team-building, and leadership.

Assembly 2

SCIENCE OF SOUND AND MUSIC

What sounds do you hear? Can you see sound waves? Which travels faster, light or sound? Can you tell the difference between hot and cold water poured into a cup? We will answer these questions as we learn about sound and music. This assembly shows how music, math, and science are connected.

Assembly 3 (NEW!)

COLORS OF EMOTION: A MUSICAL JOURNEY

An immersive assembly that explores the fascinating links between colors, emotions, and music. Ever wonder why certain songs make you feel a specific way, or how a color can shift your mood? We'll dive into these connections using vibrant colors and light to visually represent different feelings. Then, we'll discover how music can be a powerful tool, helping us understand and navigate our emotional landscape. Get ready to see, hear, and feel your way through a unique sensory experience!

Summer Camps/After School Programs

Summer camps and other enrichment programs offer a unique and immersive experience designed to deepen your understanding of how sound shapes our perception and worldview. We explore the fascinating connection between our senses and the sonic landscape around us.

Activities include:

Soundwalks: Embark on guided explorations to actively listen and observe the sounds of our environment.
Music as Therapy: Discover the powerful role of music in well-being and emotional expression.
Sound and Science: Uncover the basics of arithmetic and geometry as they relate to sound, and visualize what soundwaves truly look like.
Emotions and Acoustics: Understand the intricate relationship between sound and our emotional responses.
Intro to Music Lessons: Hand percussion, Body Movement, Idiophones

These enriching programs are typically offered in partnership with non-profits, community centers, after-school initiatives, and various wellness and enrichment programs. We offer flexible schedules, with camps running from three to five days a week, to accommodate different needs.

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