Tree Choir (for adults)

Course dates Sept 6th - Oct 18th 2023, 5.30-7pm Spring Rise Community Gardens, Forest Row

Price Options

£15 drop-in

Buy Tickets Contact us

About the course

Come and join Jack Durtnall and Anna Richardson round the fire for Tree Choir at Spring Rise Community Gardens! Each week, we will come together to connect with the land through songs and nature-based practices. Following the cycles of the year and sparks of inspiration, we will learn tree and folk songs that reflect the seasons. We will sing in parts and rounds to create beautiful harmonies. Once a month, we will walk the land to take our songs to the trees. This season of Wednesday evening Tree Choir sessions is for grown ups. Children are welcome, but please note that activity is not being specifically provided for them. Please note that booking ahead of time online for the term or for a one off session is now essential. We look forward to welcoming you!

Who is this course suitable for?

  • This is an adults choir for all levels of experience; beginners as well as the more experienced. Accompanied children are welcome.

The course will cover

  • Learn tree and folk songs that reflect the seasons. We will sing in parts and rounds to create beautiful harmonies.
  • Connect with the land through songs and nature-based practices.
  • Opportunities for adults to connect with the natural world together through creative processes.

Booking:

Pre-booking is essential. Please book using the following link:

Book here

About the tutors

Jack Durtnall Jack is a musician, nature connection facilitator and forest school leader who came to nature connection work through an innate love for nature and folk song, inspired by the life-work of Jon Young and the 8 Shields. Jack’s background is in music. As well as his role leading workshops and facilitating on plantings, Jack co-leads the Children’s Forest Tree Choir and is part of the team bringing through the Song Forest project. Jack is part of the Folkadelix band, hosts a monthly jam session at the Hop Yard in Forest Row and performs solo shows.

Anna Richardson: Anna has been a musician, nature mentor and trained forest school leader for over 20 years. As well as hosting the Forest Row folk nights with fiddle and song, Anna works with children of all ages and mentors adults in plant lore, foraging, nature connection and bushcraft. She works as a facilitator with Cultivating Curiosity and Red Squirrel Resources and the 8 Shields movement deeply informs her work and approach. She is passionate about connecting to nature through creativity and reverence for life. Anna is the the co-author of two books: Learning with Nature and The Children’s Forest and is the founder of the Children’s Forest movement and the writer of many of the songs populating the Song Forest!

Testimonials

Slide 1

“I love everything about Children’s Forest's courses. These immersive nature days are filled with so much enchantment and joy that leave me feeling deeply connected to the more than human world and to my true self as an inseparable part of nature. I particularly adore singing tree songs together, which feels like a beautiful way of reciprocating the many gifts the trees offer us. I've shared with my children and they are now Children's Forests biggest fans!"

Rachel P
Slide 2

"A really wonderful day connecting with trees and learning more about our own indigenous traditions too. I'd highly recommend these workshop for anyone looking for a couple of hours escape - I arrived exhausted and left energised and rejuvenated!"

Lucy R
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"I've attended numerous Children’s Forest short courses and each time I leave brimming with inspiration and new knowledge that I can't wait to share with my family and the groups I teach. I've learned so much from the wealth of wisdom they share on tree lore, responsible foraging and some truly connective nature crafts, games and songs that will really enrich my educational groups!"

Sally B
Slide 1

“Thank you so much Children’s Forest, the days you bring feel very special, like a forest school for adults. Beautiful beloved songs sung from the heart, weaving and connecting hearts together, hands on experience with nature from source to creation, gathering in circle and being truly human and releasing all the bliss you have inside can be shared.”

Jo P
Slide 1

"I loved learning how to process and eat the nourishing acorns on the acorn workshop. The Children's Forest course was fun and left me with skills that I will be using for the rest of my life!"

Millie D
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Upcoming courses

October 30 - December 4 2023, 4-5.30pm

Forest From Seed 'Greet the Trees' Autumn term offering (for community)

Adults £48, children free (for 6 week block) or £8.50 drop-in per family

During this 6-week block we will meet a new native tree each week, close to the tree nursery. We will learn the song of the tree together and gather in gratitude for the fruits and seeds. We will process the tree seeds to prepare them for germination after their winter sleep and enjoy together a story and tea around the fire.

Find out more

December 17th 2023, 10-2pm

Winter Community Celebration

Adults £50, children free (see booking link in details below)

Come & celebrate the trees together with us this Winter Solstice at Spring Rise. Fun & crafts for all the family. There will be singing & storytelling around a hearty fire, and tree based crafts galore. Make Christmas tree decorations, wreaths, healing tree salves for gifts and more. Learn how to plant holly seeds which will one day be planted out in the Children's Forests. You will also receive a gorgeous Hawthorn book and Winter Solstice print by Lucinda Warner on the day.

Find out more

May 23-26th 2024

Three day Facilitator Training Course

Standard rate: £475, supporters rate: £550 (contact us for supported rate)

The Children’s Forest Facilitator course is an immersive 3-day camp that aims to provide participants with a deep nature immersion experience in a beautiful Sussex woodland while experiencing the four step journey of the Children’s Forest. Our aim is to create a heart centred learning experience that will inspire you to create your own tree planting projects through nature connection practice, practical knowledge and indigenous wisdom.

Find out more