On this first edition of Echolocation, we’ll plumb the depths of natural sound recording, and expose the roots of bioacoustics and soundscape studies. During the first hour of the show, we’ll investigate the early days of nature and sound recording, and trace the evolution of its use in scientific, musical and artistic fields. During the second hour, we’ll explore modern and emerging disciplines that draw their inspiration from the diversity of natural sound on planet Earth. We will listen to excerpts from the Sound in Theory, Sound in Practice Symposium, which took place at Bard College in April, 2016. The show will feature musical selections, as well as the melodious and cacophonous sounds of spring in the Northeastern US.

Echolocation explores aspects of environmental art, especially the use of bioacoustics in sound art and musical composition. The show dwells at the junction between art, science and natural sound, and features works by artists working in the fields of soundscape studies, deep listening and acoustic ecology. Featured composers include R. Murray Schaffer, Doug Quin, Lisa Walker, Hildegard Westerkamp, Pauline Oliveros, and others. Each quarterly program includes news and updates from fields related to scientific and artistic studies of environmental sound. Submissions of locally recorded and produced pieces are encouraged. https://www.facebook.com/EcholocationWGXC