Listen Up!

Did you know the British Library is home to the nation’s sound archive? An extraordinary collection of over 6.5 million recordings of speech, music, wildlife and the environment, these recordings - from the UK and around the world - date from the birth of recorded sound in the 1880s to the present day.

Join us for Listen Up! – our sound and listening workshops for Key Stage 2 students.

Listen Up: Dive into Sound (90mins)

In this mindful and creative workshop, learners’ develop confidence in listening and responding to sounds from a wide range of contexts. They will uncover the history of recorded sound, experience how a sound can transform a space, tune into the everyday noises around them and see where close listening can take the imagination. Inspired by these experiences, they will create original responses through discussion, drawing, writing, mapping and movement.

Playful and exploratory, Listen Up! supports learner well-being, encouraging grounding in the moment as we focus on the sounds around us.

Listen Up: Sound Lab (90mins)

What do we hear when we play with sound? What do textures sound like? How can we amplify the sound of drawing? What do we create when we mix sounds together?

Inspired by the history of recorded sound, students will use a range of techniques to create, collect, amplify, mix, layer and record sound. They will use digital equipment including speakers and contact microphones as well as sandpaper and pencils. This exploratory and hands-on session culminates in a performance of sound compositions celebrating learners’ creativity and experimentation.

Sessions can be booked as a stand-alone workshop, or combined to make a full day at the Library. If booked on the same day, one session will run before lunch and one after lunch.

Also available:

• To take a deeper dive into sound: discover our Coast website, or explore domestic sounds with the website If Homes Had Ears
• Request our Listen Up! digital resources to use in your classroom

Details