Composing Ecological Empathy

Through an interest in trees and forest ecology, the entanglements of the natural world have become a wellspring of inspiration for my artistic work. I have recently begun composing works that highlight phenomena of the natural world that can change the way listeners think of and engage with the more-than-human

beings around them. There are many amazing and frightening ecological phenomena affecting our world. My composition work aims to educate audiences about these kinds of occurrences and propose ways for listeners to empathize with the more-than-human world around them. Additionally, I will engage with

current scholarship and literature in order to draw connections between arts and sciences, allowing for the examination of the effectiveness of musical works by others in the field that engage with nature as part of their compositional conceptions. Through this research, I aim to answer questions such as: what elements of a

piece of music directly connect it to the research it is based on? Can music made about a specific place or phenomenon engender appreciation or understanding in people who have never experienced the subject first-hand? And, to what extent is it possible for music made in this context to affect the lives of those who

experience it, either through its creation or reception? Ecological issues are always tied to a specific location. In the case of ash dieback, the topic of my most recent compositional work, European ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior) found in the UK as well as across Europe are threatened. This brings up the question of "place," or, more specifically, how are distinct populations and

communities tied to a particular location affected by ash dieback? Arguing for "place" is an argument for awareness. It may sound reductive to say, but most people don't know the names of any of the non-human beings that they share the world with. This separation of humans and non-humans is not only

detrimental to our personal, inner lives, but the lives of those around us, both human and non-human (Kimmerer, R. W. 2013). This is something my work addresses. It asks audiences to consider the point of view of other species and empathize with their way of life. Inherent in this empathy is an understanding of

intelligence as a trait that is not exclusive to humans (Bridle, J. 2023). My compositions also address this, through ascribing agency and importance to the perspectives of other beings. Creating compositions in my artistic style comprises the main method for answering the questions I've raised. Currently, my compositional style involves

instrumental writing, electronics, video, improvisation, speech, and performance. In terms of engagement with the scientific community, I have recently been in contact with researchers who work in the Geography Department at Oxford, and I was allowed to accompany them on field work in Whytham woods. This

relationship is crucial for the kind of interdisciplinary work I plan to continue. Using the resources available at Oxford, including the ability to collaborate with researchers, I will create an evening-length composition that engages and answers the questions outlined above. Additionally, I will be researching and

writing a survey and analysis of musical works that take nature as a main subject.