Fifth House Ensemble partners with Friends of the Chicago River and the American Indian Center to present a series of virtual workshops and a performance of Sounds of the Chicago River, using Deep Listening to reconnect ourselves to the natural world through sound. Together, we use Deep Listening as a tool for observation and increased awareness of our environment, integrated with Native practices that explore the interconnectedness of humans, wildlife, plants, and place.

We will use nature and urban sounds to create musical experiences, share stories through talking circles, and learn more about how musical instruments can replicate the sounds of animals and our environment. Explore the flora and fauna of the Chicago River and learn about its changing landscape, conservation, and the role of humans in stewarding the river’s wildlife habitat. Our residency culminates in two outdoor back-to-back performances of Sounds of the Chicago River at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum this Spring.