åben skole

Sounds of catastrophe

An Interactive Music Workshop on Sound, Nature, and Disasters

• Theme: Film, Sound & Media
• Target Group: Middle school (grades 7–10), intermediate level (grades 4–6), and special education classes
• Number of classes per session: 1
• Duration: 6 hours (The workshop can run over one full day (6 hours) or be spread over two shorter days (3 hours each))
• Location: At your school
• Price: Free for public schools in Copenhagen (Regular price per session: DKK 7,200)
• Booking: Here
• Time frame: 2 x 3 hours or 1 x 6 hours
• Available days: Monday, Tuesday, Friday
• Available weeks: Weeks 34, 35, 40, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49
• If you’re interested in booking for 2026, we’d love to hear from you already.
• If you have questions please contact Delia

What is Sounds of a Catastrophe about?

Sounds of a Catastrophe is a vibrant and interactive music workshop where students explore how sound can tell stories about the wild forces of nature. Through play, improvisation, and collaboration, they create their own soundtracks for short videos depicting natural disasters.

What does it sound like when a hurricane rips the roof off the house during dinner?
Or when the schoolyard cracks open during recess in an earthquake?

In this workshop, we dive into the chaos and atmosphere of nature and translate it into sound. Students record short films – for example, using stop-motion or shadow play – and compose unique soundscapes using both acoustic and electronic instruments: keyboards, microphones, looping, and effects pedals.

It’s about creativity, collaboration, and listening – to both nature and each other:
How can a catastrophe be transformed into art?

The workshop concludes with a joint live presentation, where students share their creations with each other.

Learning Outcomes

Through playful exploration of sound and images, students develop their artistic expression and collaboration skills. They also gain a deeper understanding of natural forces and the climate-related challenges we face – and are given a safe, creative space to reflect on and process thoughts and feelings related to climate anxiety.

Instructors

Mathias Loose teaches music and ensemble playing at the Børnekulturhuset Ama’r and runs music workshops under the name “Lydlaboratoriet” in the local community. He holds a BA and MA in art and film composition and works professionally in the arts. He is also part-time staff at HYBEL, a residential program for youth under 18.

Delia Corina Keller is a educated (Master)  in theatre and education  at  Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (Switzerland) with many years of experience in teaching and leading art projects in Denmark, Switzerland, and Burkina Faso – including at Tove Ditlevsen School, Blågård School, and Tårnby Park Studio. At Tårnby Park Studio (DK), she teaches in the Fremtidsklubben and co-develops engaging projects in collaboration with the local Pigeklub and UngTårnby. She also works as a director in children’s theatre and has staged performances at Sydhavn Teater (DK), Tårnby Park Studio (DK), Fabriktheater (CH), and Espace Gambidi (BF).