Music Inspired by Nature Campaign

Composing Music Inspired by Nature Workshops

Research and studies have shown that both nature and music can generate positive emotions and bring about great joy and well-being. Why not combine these two powerful elements for a greater well-being? This workshop is created by self-taught singer-songwriter, Shirley Ho as part of her advocacy to promote nature appreciation through music.

It was actually by chance that Shirley discovered how to compose her original songs while strolling in Singapore Botanic Gardens. Being a music and nature enthusiast, she discovered her own easy and achievable method of journaling one’s thoughts and feelings to compose songs with the help of nature. With the passion in music and nature, she decided to volunteer with the Nature Society to share her discovery so that more people enjoy music inspired by nature. She also initiated “Music Inspired by Nature” campaign to support Nature Society Singapore's nature conservation efforts as her way of contributing to the community.

This is the website for my campaign if you want to find out more about it!

There were two such workshops conducted by Shirley with approximately a small group of about 10 participants each workshop. One workshop was conducted before the circuit breaker in 20 March 2020 at Bishan Park which was particularly memorable as it was the last volunteer workshop that Shirley has organised without social distancing measures. Shirley missed the face to face interaction with the participants in which she had a live performance of her original song, West Coast. The workshop was a great opportunity for them to enjoy the nature outdoor and also bond with family members. Shirley also realized that one of the participants was her JC school mate. What a coincidence!

Participants enjoyed the hands-on session whereby they had to take a walk in Bishan Park and make observations of the surrounding to be inspired to write their own song. The result was amazing, all participants were able to exercise their creativity and all managed to compose one verse or chorus at the end of the workshop. One participant even made use of garage band, a phone app to create the melody of her own song, while another created a musical to express the beautiful scenery that he saw.

Another workshop that was conducted via online zoom after circuit breaker in 13 December 2020 was a different experience. Shirley used her own music video featuring her nature walk at the Lower Pierce Reservoir. Participants were able to relate it to their own nature walks during the Covid-19 pandemic period. They managed to apply the songwriting techniques taught quickly as most of them had some music background. There was an immense sense of joy and fulfilment listening to the song presentation by the participants who managed to compose their own songs with catchy tune and meaningful words about the nature at the end of the workshop. Participants have definitely increased and deepened their appreciation and love for nature through the workshop.