The Sounds of Stonehenge, a day-long workshop in the Department of Music, will feature talks and demonstrations from musicians, historians and archaeologists exploring the monument’s influence on musical history.

Bristol University’s Professor Ronald Hutton will discuss the cultural history of Stonehenge; Tim Darvill, Professor of Archaeology at Bournemouth University will talk about Stonehenge in rock; artist and archaeologist Aaron Watson and John Crewdson will give a multimedia presentation of music and visuals on 'Instruments of ritual'.

Simon Wyatt will give a talk entitled 'Soul music: instruments in an animistic age'. 

There will also be three further talks: 'Stonehenge and its film music' by Dr Guido Heldt, 'Megaliths in 20th-century English art music' by Professor Stephen Banfield, and 'Stonehenge: notes towards an acoustic archaeology' by Dr Joshua Pollard, all from the University of Bristol.

Professor Stephen Banfield, Director of CHOMBEC (Centre for the History of Music in Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth), said: “Stonehenge has generated, suggested and inspired soundscapes since its construction began some 5,000 years ago.  For example Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles encounters it unseen, as nocturnal sound, the humming of an aeolian harp.

“The workshop will explore the rich cultural history of Stonehenge, from the acoustics and musical instruments of Neolithic England to the representation of megaliths in 20th-century British art music, Stonehenge’s film music, and its rock music – in the most recent sense.”

The workshop is organised by CHOMBEC and will take place on Friday 28 November from 11.30am to 4pm at the Victoria Rooms, University of Bristol.

To book, please contact Ruth Hill before 4pm on Wednesday 26 November on 0117 954 5032 or email: ruth.hill@bris.ac.uk, stating any dietary restrictions.