Ear to the Earth Ensemble is a contemporary music ensemble, formed by present and former students of the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. As members of the premiere contemporary music group of the school, the Ensemble Academy, the musicians are experienced in various styles and have a shared passion for new music and innovative performance practices. 

Who are we?

Formed by percussionist Porter Ellerman, the group has six full-time members: Ruth Mareen, violin; Antonio Dorado Salguero, cello; Rui Braga Simões,  piano; Petra Valtellina, flute; and Miguel Esperanza Pérez, clarinet.

Projects

Winning awards at their debut in the 2023 Delft Fringe Festival, Ear to the Earth shared their program “Festival of Whispers” with great success and positive reactions from participants and critics alike: the Volkskrant (2023) described the performance as “beautiful…[an] experience you didn’t know you didn’t want to miss”. The blend of Matthew Burtner’s “Festival of Whispers” with guided improvisation and Pauline Oliveros’ “Rock Piece” created vibrant atmospheres of expression in four different locations. This opportunity allowed the group to once more perform in Delft at the Delft Chamber Music Festival in 2024 with a brand new program, once again utilizing audience participation and a mixture of traditional performing and environmental awareness.

Ear to the Earth regularly provides workshops and activities for the community and organizations, such as Cinemaximiliaan in Brussels, an artistic newcomer’s community space, and Trashure Hunt Den Haag, a beach cleaning and environmental organization on the beach of Scheveningen. These utilize game-based music making, instrument building, and rhythm games to foster a broader sense of listening and community, while also providing further help to each collaborating organization’s goals.

Ear to the Earth had the pleasure to work alongside Ensemble Modern in their Young Ensemble Academy in the summer of 2024, performing three new works for the group and performing alongside the experienced Ensemble Modern and four other young ensembles.

Currently, the group is developing new programs for specific spaces and working on new compositions by Alam Hernandez and Porter Ellerman, created especially for the group, with performances and workshops within The Hague, Italy, and Belgium planned for 2025.

Ear to the Earth fosters a collaborative environment where musicians explore the intersection of sound, nature, and community. By integrating the innovative philosophies of influential composers like Pauline Oliveros, John Cage, and Matthew Burtner, our ensemble transcends traditional performance paradigms. We actively invite participation, encouraging audiences to engage with music as co-creators rather than passive observers.

Through guided improvisations, graphical scores, and body/musical exercises, we cultivate opportunities for active listening, allowing participants to explore sound in a supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere. This approach not only enhances musical experiences but also promotes mindfulness and attentiveness to our environment.

Our commitment to accessibility ensures that everyone can partake in the exploration of contemporary music. By dismantling barriers and fostering inclusivity, Ear to the Earth not only transforms the way music is created and experienced but also nurtures a deeper connection among audience members, nature, and the soundscape we inhabit. In this way, we inspire individuals to listen more closely—both to the world around them and to one another.