Creative Sound in Milton Keynes: A New Wave of Sonic Expression

Milton Keynes may be famed for its grid roads and contemporary architecture, but beneath its modern veneer lies a burgeoning community of experimental sound-makers. Composer and cellist Hannah Marshall—best known for “music and sound tracks for theatre projects, exhibitions, films, audio-walks, podcasts & remote collaborations” —is at the forefront of this movement, weaving together tradition and innovation in unexpected ways.

Imagine strolling through Campbell Park at dawn, your footsteps cushioned by ambient drones from Sense of ourHum, Hannah’s solo collection of eight 20-minute meditative pieces. Each track—built from cello, violin, auto-harp and subtle humming—invites you to pause and breathe, turning green spaces into living soundscapes . Or picture the neon glow of Milton Keynes Theatre foyer, where field-recording-infused compositions like Little Dark / Dawning / Sites / Notions transform urban hum into rhythmic patterns, grounding you in the city’s hidden rhythms.

Collaborations are equally vital. From the award-winning LowLines – Series 1 podcast (Winner, 2024 International Women’s Podcast Award) to free-improvisation quartets such as the Benedict Taylor/Hannah Marshall/Caius Williams/Andrew Lisle ensemble (recorded live at London’s GRAIN Residency, March 2024), Hannah’s discography brims with adventurous projects recorded and released throughout 2022–2024 . These recordings highlight her versatility: one moment she’s sculpting ethereal drones for Lore of the Wild audio-walks; the next, she’s sparring with saxophones and percussion on Fluid Fixations for Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.

Here in Milton Keynes, local venues and festivals can tap into this creative energy: imagine bespoke scores for an art trail at MK Gallery, immersive audio-walks across linear parks or site-specific sound installations in The Stables’ intimate performance spaces. By blending cello improvisation, field recordings and electronic textures, Hannah’s practice offers new ways to hear the familiar.

🎧 Curious to explore? Head to hannahmarshall.net/sounds to listen to all these tracks—and more. Whether you’re planning a pop-up exhibition in Wolverton, curating a community theatre show in Newport Pagnell or simply seeking a fresh soundtrack for your morning jog along the redway, you’ll find inspirations that bridge Milton Keynes’s modern spirit with a rich tapestry of sonic expression.

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