Well it's hard to believe where Storytelling has taken me over the last couple of months.
From writing a brand new piece for my performance at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, as part of the annual food festival, "Fantasy Cookery for Children and Exceptional Grown-Ups", to adapting a Christmas tale, "The Christmas Wish" for the magazine, and online resource for primary schools, "Springboard Stories".
But perhaps the most surprising aspect has been how some 'Exceptional Grown-Ups' have wanted to make use of the storytellers art.
I am currently working with CBSO on their latest event for school children (this one is aimed at Year 3) bringing together a programme around road safety, sponsored by DBS lawyers. A 10 piece offshoot of the orchestra will be performing repertoire and specially commissioned music by Vicky Arlidge, with words by yours truly - the debut isn't until the end of January - but with creation, arrangement, tweaking and rehearsals to take place before then, it doesn't seem that far away.
I was also invited to attend the Music Leaders conference at Midlands Arts Centre, spending one day pulling together the story of a day, dedicated to exploring work bringing together music and people with learning difficulties - with fabulous workshops from W.N.O., Richard Hayhow (ex Shysters) and Louise Braithwaite from Orchestra of the Swan amongst others. The preceding day was spent facilitating a deep and fulfilling discussion between some of the Music Hub Leaders in the West Midlands - fascinating stuff, and totally heart-warming to hear how passionate these people still are about the power of music in education, and how seriouslty they take their role in trying to protect it's continuation.
Both days were a privilege to be part of, and I'm very much looking forward to some follow up work that has arisen as a result of my initial involvement. . . onwards and upwards .
Professor Smedley of Storytelling