Composing Ecology is a creative, participatory music project devised by composers James Weeks and Eric Egan.  

At the centre of Composing Ecology is a collection of pieces by each of us, designed to be used in different contexts. Some are suitable for individual performance, others are intended for group workshops or performances. We hope that many will be useful for meditation or wellbeing practice. 

Our starting-point is the soundscapes of natural ecosystems, and how we might engage with these musically and creatively towards the goal of enhancing and deepening our relationship with the natural world through its sound.  

Composing Ecology began in response to a need for workshop materials that addressed this desire to connect more deeply with the natural world, in the present age of climate crisis. We are not the first to feel or respond to this need, and many composers, writers and artists have influenced us. We hope that this collection of pieces is a useful contribution to this larger collective endeavour, and that you’ll find pieces that resonate with you and that you can use in your own practice, either as an individual or a music leader. 

On this site you will find links to these scores, including James Weeks’ New Nature Pieces and Eric Skytterholm Egan’s Woodshadows as well as select field recordings, all of which are freely downloadable and can be used in workshop or performance without charge. We only ask that if you do use our materials, you get in touch via our email address (composingecology@yahoo.com) with any comments you have, and any reports of performances (individual or group) or workshops in which they were used. Do please let us know of upcoming events including our materials. 

You can also get involved with our own workshops and events, which take place around the UK. See Events for details of upcoming opportunities.

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We gratefully acknowledge the support for Composing Ecology from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Durham University, UK. 

James Weeks, Eric Egan 

January 2026