Podcast recorded and produced by Shane Bagot
Text by Hayden Fugee
The annual Sound Planet Music Festival, which connects musical performance and the environment, features two events at Rowan University during the month of April 2026.
The Sound Planet Music Festival was founded in 2023 by Dr. Joseph Higgins, the director of bands at Rowan University, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble. Dr. Higgins said the goal is to showcase impactful performances and learning opportunities.
“[It’s] an opportunity to explore the intersection of the climate and biodiversity crisis and music, performance, and artistic expression,” said Higgins. “We have a lot of students who care a lot about the environment and local sustainability issues who are in the music department.”
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States and Sound Planet will feature indigenous music to bring a Native American perspective to the events.
The festival will kick off on Wednesday, April 15 at 5pm, with the event Student Center Performance: Indigenous Voices, in which performers of the Rowan University Wind Ensemble will give a live performance of “American Ledger No. 1” by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Raven Chacon.
The performance will mirror the narrative of the founding of the United States, the creation of civilization, and the erasure of land using graphic notation, percussive instruments, coins, axe and wood, a police whistle, and a match to immerse the story.
“A lot of musicians are celebrating American music because it’s the 250th anniversary,” said Higgins. “And so we wanted to do that, but rather than like a patriotic American band version, which we’re also doing, we’re using Sound Planet to explore sort of an indigenous point of view.”
The second event planned is the Arboretum Walk Concert on Friday, April 24, at 12:30 p.m. to celebrate Arbor Day with an outdoor concert. Those in attendance will be led through a tour of Rowan’s Arboretum and Gardens as members of the Wind Ensemble perform live at different locations on the path, featuring performances from the Saxophone Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Brass Ensembles, and more.
“This is gonna be a really special one because there will be artists and displays throughout the walk,” said Higgins. “There’ll be elements that are still evolving, possibly with dancers.”
All events are free and open to the public.
