Marwell’s Musical Safari Inspires Young People to Explore Wildlife Through Music

Hundreds of children and young people from across Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole are set to embark on a unique creative journey as part of Marwell’s Musical Safari, an innovative partnership between Marwell Wildlife, South Coast Music Partnership and Hampshire Music Hub.

The exciting initiative will see schools matched with animal species from Marwell Zoo and challenged to create original musical compositions and soundscapes inspired by their assigned animals, habitats and behaviours.

The finished works will form part of an interactive trail around Marwell Zoo. Visitors will be able to hear compositions created by local children and young people while learning about wildlife conservation and the natural world.

Marwell’s Musical Safari has been designed to be fully inclusive, with accessible resources and adaptations to support participation by children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. The project aims to ensure that every learner can engage creatively, regardless of background, experience or ability. Educators will receive curriculum resources, training and practical ideas to support classroom delivery, helping pupils make meaningful connections between music, science, geography, conservation and environmental sustainability.

Kath Page, Consortium Lead for South Coast Music Partnership, said:

"Marwell’s Musical Safari brings together two powerful drivers of learning: creativity and curiosity. By combining music-making with the exploration of wildlife and conservation, we are creating memorable experiences that will inspire young people, develop their musical skills and strengthen their understanding of the natural world. Working alongside Hampshire Music Hub and Marwell Wildlife allows us to extend these opportunities to even more children and communities across the region."

Laura Read, Chief Executive at Marwell Wildlife, said:

“Connection to nature can take place in many ways, and we are so excited to be partnering with South Coast Music Partnership and Hampshire Music Hub to bring the wonder of wildlife to children though music. The inclusivity of the project really fits with the Marwell values, and the end results will shine a spotlight on the vast diversity of the natural world in a completely unique and special way. We cannot wait to hear what the children produce, and we look forward to welcoming our visitors to discover the musical safari on their visits through 2027. This is the first stage in an exciting new Arts and Culture strategy for Marwell Wildlife, set to be launched early next year.”

Jon Cranston, Lead for the Hampshire Music Education Hub, said: 

"Marwell’s Musical Safari is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when organisations with a shared commitment to young people come together. The partnership between Marwell Wildlife, South Coast Music Partnership and Hampshire Music Education Hub creates a powerful blend of environmental education, creativity, and inclusion, enabling children and young people across the region to explore, learn and express themselves in new and exciting ways." 

The project forms part of a wider commitment to provide enriching educational experiences that connect young people with creativity, culture, nature and conservation.