WashU’s ‘Climate Change in Concert’: A Symphony of Sound and Environmental Urgency
On Tuesday, violinist Clara Kim will grace the stage, performing delicate instrumental pieces that mimic the chirping of cicadas. This isn’t just a musical performance; it’s an immersive experience weaving the sounds of the natural world into a powerful statement about environmental preservation. Washington University’s “Climate Change in Concert,” featuring the work of composer Christopher Stark, aims to shift the climate change conversation from statistics to a realm of sound and emotion.
Bridging the Organic and the Technological
Dan Giammar, director of the university’s Center for the Environment, believes this approach is crucial. Stark’s composition, “2nd Nature,” exemplifies this bridge. He utilizes cicada chirps as the foundational element of the piece, revealing a surprising connection between nature and technology.
“The natural world is incredibly complex and noisy,” Stark explains. “When slowed down, the cicada sound actually resembles a synthesizer. It’s a natural sound that becomes the basis for a more contemporary musical style, almost paradoxically more experimental than the cicada itself.”
A Visceral Entry Point into a Global Issue
Stark hopes the performance will encourage listeners to contemplate the intricate relationship between technology and nature, providing an immediate and visceral understanding of the global climate crisis. Kim echoes this sentiment, emphasizing music’s unique ability to connect with people on a deeper level than other mediums.
“I think it’s important for music to respond to these issues and be deeply influenced by them,” Kim states. “It would be strange if it didn’t.”
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration for Impact
This concert is more than just a musical exploration; it’s a cross-disciplinary collaboration. Stark partnered with environmental engineer Giammar to create a performance that resonates with a wider audience. Giammar highlights the power of this interdisciplinary approach to foster new perspectives and expose people to unfamiliar ideas.
Connecting creative and scientific fields, they believe, can make abstract climate data more tangible and impactful. Stark envisions similar projects in the future, hoping to inspire others to engage with environmental issues through the arts.
“The hope is that it can let other creative people – or any audience member – know that they have a voice in the world,” Stark says. “What they care about, they can act upon, whether that’s through a poem, writing, doing a study, or writing a book. Anyone moved to do so can be a part of this.”
Listen and Learn More
For a deeper dive into the role of creativity in climate research, listen to St. Louis on the Air on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or by using the player below.
Event Details
- What: “Climate Change in Concert”
- When: 3 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. Feb. 24
- Where: Washington University’s Umrath Lounge, Umrath Hall, St. Louis, MO 63105
“St. Louis on the Air” is produced by Miya Norfleet, Emily Woodbury, Danny Wicentowski, Elaine Cha, and Alex Heuer. Layla Halilbasic is the production assistant, and Aaron Doerr is the audio engineer.
