WEST BRATTLEBORO-Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center (BEEC) invites the community to experience Forest of Melody Thursday, June 25.
This “one-of-a-kind micromusic festival and summer solstice fundraiser is where live music and nature intertwine across the center’s hillside trails,” wrote organizers in a news release. Taking place on BEEC’s scenic 60-acre campus in West Brattleboro, the Forest of Melody “transforms the natural world into a roaming concert experience.”
Guests move together along a guided gentle woodland path, encountering musicians performing in the forest, the meadow, and a hilltop along the way. The result is an afternoon “where music and place are inseparable—where birdsong, blooming wildflowers, and instruments come together in a shared celebration of summer,” said organizers.
Beginning at 5 p.m., hour-long journeys will depart every 20 minutes through 8 p.m., allowing small groups to flow continuously through the musical landscape. Light refreshments will be available for purchase on site, and guests are also welcome to bring their own portable snacks and beverages.
The event features an inspiring lineup of regional singer-songwriters whose performances celebrate the heart and soul of folk music.
Featured performers include:
• The Early Risers, a Vermont folk duo celebrated for harmonies and multi-instrumental arrangements. Their debut album reached No. 1 on the National Folk DJ Charts.
• Yann Falquet and Julia Friend, whose music weaves together community-centered folk traditions with Falquet’s Irish-influenced Québécois guitar style.
• Elijah Berlow, known for his Americana sound, songwriting, and fingerstyle guitar.
Additional performances by Ruth Howe, Laurel Swift, Shawn Magee, Natalie Blake, Ben Homola, and the BMC Traditional Music Ensemble will contribute to a vibrant, evolving soundscape throughout the day.
Coordinating this year’s Forest of Melody is Peter Siegel, who is also among the event’s performing artists and brings a long-standing presence in the folk and traditional music world as a singer-songwriter and founder of the band the Gaslight Tinkers.
Forest of Melody is also a vital fundraiser supporting BEEC’s year-round environmental education and conservation work. For more than 30 years, BEEC has fostered connections between people and the natural world through hands-on learning experiences, community programs, and conservation initiatives throughout southern Vermont.
Rooted in its campus, BEEC’s mission centers on ensuring that nature-based education is accessible to all ages, with a strong emphasis on youth programming in local public schools and subsidized nature camps, with additional support provided through BEEC’s Deb Smith Youth Scholarship Fund.
Guests attending Forest of Melody are encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled journey. The experience involves a guided walk of approximately a half-mile over uneven terrain, lasting about an hour, while performances unfold along the route. Comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended, and attendees may wish to bring walking sticks or hiking poles for added stability.
Admission is free for children under 10, who must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the experience. Tickets for Forest of Melody are available at beec.org/events.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.