Sound Outside | Music Making in Nature

Not a retreat. Not therapy. Not a workshop.

A human reset.

You're ok. But between work, life, and the relentless pace of being the person who holds things together, you feel a sense of having lost touch with something. Not your edge, or your capability; something less obvious, but no less important. Something you had before working hard became hard-work.

Sound in the Woods is the flagship programme of Sound Outside. It’s a day in beautiful, quiet woodland making music with other people, led by professional musicians. No experience needed. No performance. No pressure. Just one day of coming back to yourself.

Not a retreat. Not therapy. Not a workshop. A human reset.

No musical experience required. Just curiosity

“Sound in the Woods was a life-affirming and deeply nourishing experience, touching into the essential parts of being a creative human in this beautiful world. Thank you!”

Not a retreat. Not therapy. Not a workshop.

A human reset.

Look through the photos below to see what the day looks like

Two men sitting outdoors under a wooden shelter, playing guitar and xylophone, with triangular bunting hanging above them, surrounded by trees.
Three women sitting outdoors, playing hand drums in a wooded area with a blackboard in the background.
Three people seated under a wooden shelter during an outdoor activity, with closed eyes, possibly meditating or resting, holding percussion instruments, surrounded by trees and natural scenery.
Group of people gathered outdoors in a park-like setting, some watching two musicians playing instruments, a violin and a percussion instrument.
Group of people sitting on chairs under a wooden shelter, engaged in conversation, with greenery in the background.
Two men are examining musical instruments on a wooden table under a wooden roofed outdoor setting. The man on the left holds a small orange percussion instrument, while the man on the right wears sunglasses and looks at the instrument.
A group of people outdoors, with a woman seated and smiling at the center, surrounded by others standing and smiling.
Group of people outdoors at a workshop or class, some sitting, some standing, with natural and wooden structures in the background.
A group of people sitting around a campfire inside an outdoor shelter, with some playing musical instruments, during daytime.
A xylophone with black and silver metal bars on a wooden table, with a basket nearby.
Close-up of the tuning pegs and strings of an autoharp showing detailed metal components.
Two wooden kalimbas (thumb pianos) with metal tines, resting on a dark wooden surface. Both kalimbas have colorful markings on the tines and engraved text on the wood.
Close-up of a tambourine resting on a drum case, showing metal jingles and a light-colored drumhead.
Tray of homemade granola cookies on a wooden table, with a box of tea and floral paper napkins nearby.
A group of people gathered under a hexagonal wooden pavilion in a wooded park with blooming yellow and white flowers in the foreground and tall trees in the background.
A Balafon, set outdoors with a blurred natural background.
Two people sitting outdoors in a wooded area, one playing a melodica and the other playing a shruti box, while sitting on chairs under a wooden shelter.
Two people sitting outdoors in a wooded area, engaged in conversation. One woman with glasses and a scarf, and a man in a black beanie and orange jacket. Behind them, a table with drums and other musical instruments.
People sitting indoors in a rustic wooden room, engaged in a conversation or listening to a speaker, with smiles and attentive expressions.
Group of four smiling people standing outdoors in a park, wearing jackets and hats, with trees and a wooden structure in the background.
Person drawing colourful chalk lines on a black chalkboard outdoors, surrounded by chalks, a chalkboard with symbols, and charts with numbers, in a grassy area.
A group of people sitting under a wooden shelter in a forest, some playing musical instruments, including a drum and a flute, while others watch and listen.
A man with long dark hair and a beard, wearing sunglasses and a black jacket, stands outdoors in a wooded area with leafless trees, holding a shruti box.
Three people playing folk music outdoors in a grassy area surrounded by trees during spring, with yellow flowers in the foreground.
Two people sitting outdoors under a wooden structure, engaged in conversation. One person is gesturing with their hand, and the other person is holding a drum. In the background, there are wood logs stacked and trees.
Three people sitting with eyes closed, meditating outdoors in a natural setting, with trees in the background.
Three people are seated in a rustic outdoor setting with natural wood beams, engaged in music and discussion. A blackboard with writing on it is in the background, and surrounding trees are visible outside.
Three people sitting outdoors in a wooded area, engaging in a musical activity together. They are smiling and laughing, with one woman playing a hand drum, while the two others hold percussion instruments.
A woman playing the violin outdoors while a man plays a xylophone nearby, set in a natural, wooded area during daytime.
A woman with glasses and a colourful scarf looking at colourful wooden boards outdoors in a forested area, sitting on a small bench.
Group of people playing musical instruments together in a rustic outdoor shelter.
A group of people seated in a circle inside a wooden, open-air pavilion surrounded by trees, participating in a discussion or workshop.
A woman with an orange headband and blue jacket walking through a wooded area with trees and greenery.
Three people sitting outdoors in a wooded area, playing musical instruments and singing, with various equipment and a box on the ground.
Group of people outdoors in a wooded park, standing and sitting in front of trees with bare branches, holding music-related items and blackboards with writing, some smiling
Two people sitting and trading wooden sticks, with a wood fire and logs in the background in an outdoor rustic setting.
A group of people enjoying an outdoor coffee break at a wooded area with trees and greenery, with various coffee brewing tools and snacks on a wooden table.
A person wearing a brown hat and black jacket walks through a wooded area with green plants and trees.
A man with dark hair tied back, wearing sunglasses and a dark jacket, stands outdoors, with yellow flowers and plants in the foreground. Behind him, a woman wearing a gray jacket and orange headscarf is also outdoors in a natural setting with trees a
Two women sitting near a campfire, one playing a drum and the other holding a guitar case, in an outdoor shelter with trees in the background.
Four people sitting outdoors, playing musical instruments and holding percussion mallets, under a wooden shelter with a grassy background.

  • "This was a delightful day that opened my heart and mind and reached all my senses."

  • "A perfect day of music making in a beautiful setting no matter your level of music expertise"

  • "I felt really connected and present. As a non-musician, playing music with people was a unique experience."

  • "How can you put the value on something that’s invaluable? If you think it’s not for you then it is."

  • "Welcoming and inclusive. A day that allows you to connect to others, to nature, and yourself. "

  • "A very grounding experience led beautifully by some personable and welcoming people who are passionate about making music accessible, creative, and fun!"

  • "A great way to disconnect from your normal day to connect with others and nature great fun."

  • "The sense of connection with people I have never met was very powerful."

  • "The timeless nature of the day was great. I didn’t look at a clock or a phone for, how long was it, hours?"

  • "I didn't consider myself a musician in any shape or form, yet within hours I was creating lovely composition through expert guidance."

Dive deeper into what Sound in the Woods is all about by browsing our website. If you’d like to hear about upcoming events, or start a conversation about taking part, get in touch using our contact form, sign up to our mailing list, or explore this site using the header/footer of this page. You can also go straight to the events page and book your place at a Sound in the Woods event using the button below.

Come and experience it

See upcoming music in nature days
A group of 14 people outdoors in a wooded area, holding various musical instruments and chalkboards with writing on them, posing for a photo on a grassy field.