The Peterborough Symphony Orchestra might be taking a rest before the start of the 2024-25 season, but that doesn’t mean its musicians are taking a break from sharing their passion with those who will listen — and for their next outreach this fall, they’re bringing it outside.
With a stunning classical music backdrop and a trail walk along secluded woodland acres, the non-profit organization’s Musical Nature Walk will have you feeling like you’ve stepping into a National Geographic program.
On Saturday, September 14th from 1 to 3:30 p.m., the orchestra is joining forces with the Peterborough Field Naturalists for an afternoon of exploring, learning, and listening at Tecasy Ranch, just 40 minutes outside Peterborough between Buckhorn and Burleigh Falls.
Encouraged to carpool, guests will meet at the 550-acre private property, where they will be divided into smaller groups of eight to 10 people. Led by a knowledgeable field naturalist, groups will learn about the flora and fauna that surrounds them while walking to four different stops and hearing performances from selected musicians with the orchestra.
“Nature is obviously a huge inspiration for art of any form,” says Peterborough Symphony Orchestra general manager Christie Goodwin. “As a musician, you’re aware that you’re playing music that’s been inspired by nature — birdsong, ocean events, or, for example, a great storm in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6. Nature is always being imitated and represented in art and music.”
Performing on the main stage pavilion in intervals throughout the day will be principal oboist Tori Owen, violinist Laurie Mitchell, and cellist Andrew Randall. Guests can watch a performance prior to beginning the walk or take a break by getting the snacks and refreshments that will be for sale in the area.
“The main stage group will just play on and off throughout the afternoon, so there is always something to be heard — besides birds of course,” Goodwin says.
While much of the trail at Tecasy Ranch is marked as green (“easy difficulty”) for casual hikers, a small optional section of the Musical Nature Walk will cover a blue (“medium difficulty”) trail. Terrain is uneven with rocks and roots, and hikers typically needing hiking poles or other equipment are encouraged to bring them. The terrain also means the event is not suitable for people who use mobility devices.
After walking no more than 10 minutes at a time, where they can learn from and ask questions to the field naturalists, groups will stop for brief ensemble performances in the middle of the trails.
Concertmaster (lead violinist) Jennifer Burford and principal flautist Jaye Marsh will be one such duo performing together, and Goodwin notes their repertoire covers anything from Baroque to more modern compositions or even familiar show tunes.
“We’ve left the musical choices up to the individual groups, so we’re going to get a huge variety,” explains Goodwin, noting that there will be wide range of participating musicians. “It’ll be a different combination of instruments and sounds at every stop.”
Goodwin is hopeful that combining music and nature will not only make both more accessible to new audiences — nature lovers who are new to symphony orchestras and vice versa — but that it will also work towards her mission of engaging music lovers beyond the City of Peterborough.
“It’s outside of Peterborough and that’s exciting because our outreach with the symphony shouldn’t always be in town,” she says. “Hopefully holding it in the fall means milder weather and fewer bugs too.”
Dogs are not allowed on the Musical Nature Walk. A rain date is set for the following day (Sunday, September 15th).
Tickets for the Music Nature Walk cost $45 and can be purchased online at www.thepso.org/musical-nature-walk-2024 or by calling 705-742-1992. Guests wanting to be grouped with friends are encouraged to email requests to marketing@thepso.org.
For more information about the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, including the orchestra’s 2024-25 season of five concerts, visit thepso.org.
For more information about the Peterborough Field Naturalists and other upcoming nature events, visit peterboroughnature.org.
