Yes readers, I'm really going to sound
off today.

You can blame one of our regular
columnists, Melissa Martin, who today has warned us all to, Shhh…do
you hear that? Close your mouth and eyes. Open your ears and pay
attention. It’s the sound of World Listening Day approaching; an
annual global event held every July 18th.

I have to admit I had never heard of
“World Listening Day”.

Seems to me a sound idea.

Ms. Martin informs us “The 2019 theme
is “Listening With” created by internationally acclaimed sound
artist Annea Lockwood. “Listening with an awareness that all around
you are other life-forms simultaneously listening and sensing with
you – plant roots, owls, cicadas, voles – mutually intertwined
within the web of vibrations which animate and surround our planet.”

“The World Listening Project (WLP) is
a not-for-profit organization devoted to understanding the world and
its natural environment, societies and cultures through the practices
of listening and field recording. The WLP was founded in 2008 and is
supported by the Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology, a non-profit
membership organization affiliated with the World Forum for Acoustic
Ecology.”

Aha. We have The World Forum for
Acoustic Ecology (WFAE) as an affiliate.

“The American Society for Acoustic
Ecology (ASAE) is a membership organization dedicated to promoting a
holistic understanding of sound, listening, and environment through
research and creative exploration.”

A holistic understanding of sound,
listening, and environment through research and creative exploration.

What on earth does that mean?

Going to their website I found out
their “members participate in an interdisciplinary community that
supports and encourages their artistic, scholarly, and scientific
endeavors. Through its activities, the ASAE provides a ground for
communication and collaboration among diverse fields and individuals,
establishing connections among its membership, with the public, and
with related organizations.”

I am still no wiser.

I then went to the advertisement on
their website promoting “World Listening Day”.

“You are invited to participate in
the seventh annual World Listening Day 2017, an annual global event
held on July 18. This year’s theme is “Listening to the Ground”
created by the Pauline Oliveros (1932–2016):

“Sometimes we walk on the ground,
sometimes on sidewalks or asphalt, or other surfaces. Can we find
ground to walk on and can we listen for the sound or sounds of
ground? Are we losing ground? Can we find new ground by listening for
it?”

WLD 2017 reflects and honors her life
and legacy. Oliveros was an influential woman pioneer of electronic
music composition and improvisation, as well as a founder of the
practice called Deep Listening. July 18 is the birthday of R. Murray
Schafer (b. 1933), Canadian composer and founder of the World
Soundscape Project and Acoustic Ecology.”

I have to admit Ms. Martin's column
throws much more light (or sound?) on this very special day in our
lives. I, therefore, thoroughly recommend you read it.

That's my sound advice for the today. Stop and Listen Up. July 18!!