Since Summer 2022, I’ve hosted Soundscapes: Hear, Deconstruct, & Remix Sonic Environments several times at the Media & Maker Commons in SFU’s Bennett Library. Drawing from both my practical experience in media production and Simon Fraser University’s rich history in academic ‘sound studies’ (the term “Soundscape” itself was coined here by Professor R. Murray Schafer), this workshop (re)introduces participants to the act of listening and leaves them with basic proficiency in recording and editing.

For my work on this project I received the R. Murray Schafer Soundscape Award, made possible by the Glenfraser Endowment.

I’ve now given this ~1.5 hour workshop three times, and it gets a little better every time. In the latest version, we experimented with foley using an assortment of acoustically-interesting everyday objects—legos, ping pong balls, and more. Each workshop includes a short introduction to the study of sound environments, 30 minutes of ‘listening time’ with professional recording devices, and 30 minutes of ‘remixing time’ with Audacity. Shout-out to Dr. Yumiko Murai for testing the first rendition of this workshop with her EDUC710 Maker Education graduate course!