Planted Symphony - a lovely picture of a frog amongst flowers.

What if a garden could make music? How would it help us grow, be healed and transform?

Immerse yourself in the magic and mystery of music and nature with Planted Symphony, taking place at 3 outdoor locations this summer.
Download the app and follow the accessible audio trail, where songs and stories intertwine to bring the gardens to life!

Download the app

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Don't forget your headphones

Tour Dates 2021

14 - 18 July
11am - 5pm
Milton Keynes International Festival
Near the canal, Campbell Park, Canalside, MK9 4AD
18 - 19 September
11.30am - 5pm
The Highams Park, Waltham Forest
Keynsham Avenue entrance, IG8 9TA
24 - 26 September
12.30pm - 5.30pm
Inside Out Festival, Dorset
South Entrance, Radipole Park & Gardens, Weymouth, DT3 5EZ
Picture of a rose.

About Planted Symphony

Planted Symphony is a new way to experience music in nature. Download the app and listen as GPS technology triggers sounds and songs. Explore the trail, enjoy the music and keep your eyes peeled for installations along the way.

Planted Symphony tells the tale of Lagether, a herbalist who calls upon the natural world to share its secrets of transformation. Using headphones and your senses, you meet her through spoken word and song lyrics, flowers and foliage. As you move around the music shifts, from wind and whispers to full pomp and glory. Together cello, clarinets, MiMu gloves, voice and marimba create musical alchemy and enchantment.

Planted Symphony was commissioned and developed by Drake Music, in partnership with Arts & Gardens. It is produced and presented by Drake Music. Planted Symphony features exciting new work made by disabled and non-disabled musicians, poets, storytellers and artists working together. The score for the audio trail was sketched by the talented Disabled composer Lucy Hale, who sadly passed away in January 2021. The team would like to dedicate this project to her memory.

Picture of a potion.

Practical info

Planted Symphony is a free accessible experience for adults and families, most likely to be enjoyed by ages 8+. It involves listening on headphones to music and narration, via an app, while moving along an outdoor trail of installations. Come to the Welcome Tent when you arrive to get set up.

The audio trail is Covid-safe, lasts around 20-30 mins and is all outdoors, so dress appropriately! Each trail is wheelchair accessible on hard paths with some very slight inclines. They are under 400m long with rest points available. We encourage everyone to take it at their own pace.

At Higham's Park there is on-street parking close by and accessible toilets are available in the park cafe. At Radipole Park there is a small car park. There are no public toilets at Radipole Park Gardens, the nearest facilities are at the Swannery Car Park, Radipole Park Drive where Disabled toilets are available.

The app works with the standard accessibility settings of your iOS or Android device. The narration includes audio description and captioned BSL videos are integrated into the app. Easy Read guides will be available on the day.

Bring your device and headphones with you to enjoy the experience. The following equipment will be available to loan, up to 45 mins before close, subject to terms and conditions:

  • Mobile Phones
  • Headphones (in-ear and over-ear types)
  • Headphone splitters
  • Subpacs (wearable tech for Deaf/Hard of Hearing visitors)

Last entry is 45 minutes before close.

Credits

Planted Symphony, the audio trail, features:

  • Lucy HaleComposer
  • Ben Sellers Musical Director
  • Cassandra Gurling Composer/Arranger
  • Georgina Aasgaard Cello
  • Miryam Solomon Vocals
  • Kris Halpin MiMu Gloves
  • Sonia Allori Clarinets
  • Jenni Parkinson Marimba
  • Dave Young Narrative and Lyrics
  • Nickie Miles-Wildin Experience Director/Narrator
  • Jon Van Beek Production Design
  • Alex O'Donovan Music Production/Mix Engineer
  • Amy Sibley-Allen Producer
  • Crin Claxton Production Manager
  • Sarah Danby Stage Manager
  • Tim Yates Executive Producer
  • Kim Thompson Illustrations

The R&D of the Planted Symphony audio trail was led by Daryl Beeton and Sofie Layton was the Creative Producer


Planted Symphony was commissioned and developed by Drake Music, in partnership with Arts & Gardens, supported by Arts Council England.