A new collaboration between The Royal Parks and the Royal Academy of Music has been launched, where visitors are taken on an immersive, interactive journey through the trees of Regent's Park.
An app has been created which offers park visitors a soundscape connected with where they are located and which tree they are near in the park. Students from the Royal Academy of Music have composed pieces which are inspired by different species of tree.
The experience begins in Gloucester Gate, in the north east corner of the park, and the music changes according to which trees visitors are near. Each tree has been given a specific musical signature, and the sounds feature acoustic instruments, percussion, strings and woodwind. A layering effect can be heard where canopies of trees overlap.
The music changes depending on the age, variety and other characteristics of the trees and the app will also provide information about the types of trees, the composers and compositions.
Matt Steinmann, the royal parks arboricultural officer, came up with the idea for the app. "I tend to listen to music while I work, and sometimes the music seems a perfect accompaniment. I took the next step and imagined whether music could be composed for trees."
Visitors can download the free app from Google play or Apple app by searching for Music for Trees.