The musical alchemy of the Acorn MusEcology Project
Three performances of the group’s newest project, ‘Covered in Birds,’ are happening this weekend
By Diana Badger
The eyes of the future are looking back at us, and they are praying for us, to see beyond our own time. —Terry Tempest Williams
For music lovers, bird lovers, and poetry lovers alike, coming up in Sebastopol this weekend are three opportunities to hear the latest concert by the Acorn MusEcology Project, a 22-voice local choral ensemble, guided by interim Musical Director Robin Eschner.
As the name MusEcology suggests, the intent of this unique undertaking of singers, musicians, songwriters, and composers is to inspire a deepened relationship with the natural world through music, poetry, and multi-media.
Part of the mission of Acorn MusEcology, according to its website, is to “inspire positive action within our community toward the critical, collective work at hand: tending to our relationship with the Earth, with our animal and plant brethren, and living systems—toward the rediscovery, healing, and reimagining of a vibrant planet beyond our own time.”
The focus of the upcoming concert is all things ‘bird.’ The concert title, “Covered in Birds,” is based on a compilation poem about words penned by prominent Sonoma County poets including Elizabeth Herron, Terry Ehret, Katherine Hastings, Jodi Hottel, Maya Khosla, Greg Mahrer, Phyllis Meshelum, Larry Robinson, and Mike Tuggle. In addition to multiple original compositions, the program includes well-known songs about birds, as well as traditional and contemporary folk songs. ‘Covered in Birds’ will also feature musical accompaniment on piano, guitar, drum, mandolin, banjo, stand-up bass, and toy pianos.
Prior concerts have focused on the theme of beavers—honored for their vital homespun dam technology that remediates damaged ecosystems—and on celebrating other elements of nature’s wisdom and majesty, through lyrics by well-known writers and poets like Terry Tempest Williams, Annie Dillard, and William Stafford, among others.
The Acorn MusEcology Project first took root in January 2020, when composer friends Sarah Dupre, former director of the Occidental Community Chorus (OCC), and Robin Eschner teamed up to form a new chorus that would focus on their shared passion for ecology. From its inception, Dupre was Acorn MusEcology’s musical director, and Eschner assumed the role of creative director. Presently, however, Dupre is on leave until early 2026, and Eschner is filling her shoes.
Acorn MusEcology’s singers come from diverse musical backgrounds. At first their ranks were drawn from members of the Occidental Community Chorus, the Kitchen Choir, the Cinnabar Chamber Singers, and Take Jack. Over time, they added singers from Santa Rosa Symphonic Chorus, the Threshold Choir, the Boon Hiker Band, Chimney Full of Birds, and Cantiamo Sonoma, a premier Sonoma County a cappella group.
Dupre first started singing with the Occidental Community Chorus in 8th grade, along with her parents, and it was her musical proving ground. In a recent Earth Love newsletter interview, Dupre said, “The OCC was the crucible in which my character and talent were formed. My maturation as a musician all happened there. My time in the OCC set a template for how to give performances, how to talk to the audience, and create a cohesive aesthetic experience that takes them somewhere.”
Dupre and Eschner were both influenced by former Occidental Community Chorus Director Doug Bowes and by the renowned musician and composer, Allaudin Mathieu—also a former director of the OCC—who encouraged choristers to bring their instruments and to cross-pollinate. Eschner studied privately with Allaudin for seven years, and in 2006, she undertook further studies in composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Eschner is also a very accomplished visual artist, with her works on display at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Rosa (and at the top of this article).
The legacy of instrumental cross-pollination from the Occidental Community Chorus lives on today with Acorn MusEcology Project. Why “project”? Eschner explains: “I wanted that word in our name, because I like the idea of this being something where everybody comes together to work on music, share ideas, and influence how the world might be generations from now, through our combined efforts.”
Eschner shared of how the group’s mission to inspire people to take care of the Earth has rubbed off on her.
“My whole life I’ve been very interested in birds,” she said, “That led me to volunteering at the Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa. I went from singing about birds to walking through the door at the rescue center, doing the training, and learning everything I could to be more helpful in a tangible way.”
Eschner now spends eight hours a week volunteering at the center and does additional field rescue and release work farther afield, which includes travel to Bodega Bay, Ukiah, and Mendocino. She noted that the Bird Rescue Center has been impacted by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which has been time-consuming and expensive to address and has raised concerns about the health of the wild bird population.
The upcoming concerts this weekend are benefits for the Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma County and the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation. In line with its avian theme, Saturday’s concerts at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation will also feature an opportunity to see “ambassador birds” from the Bird Rescue Center.
This weekend’s performances take place on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 2 pm and 5 pm, at The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation’s Heron Hall, where there will be opportunities to view “ambassador birds.” The performance on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 5 pm, will be at the Teen Annex of the Sebastopol Cultural Community Center. For additional information and tickets, see Acornsings.org. (Tickets can be purchased at the door as well, although for the Saturday 2 pm show, check the website first).
Diana Badger, a 25-year Sebastopol resident, is a writer, counselor, and earth lover who sings with Acorn MusEcology Project.
