A City Full of Stories

11 ECHOES

Location: London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom

Callum Given

This city is full of stories, many unseen and unheard. The windows and the bricks of buildings older than any of us: What have they seen? Who are the strangers that find themselves sitting next to each other on a bench? Where have they been and where are they going? Who are the creatures that we share the city with? What might the fox or the pigeon tell us if we took the time to listen? This SoundWalk brings to life the imagined stories of the buildings and pathways that surround us. A City Full of Stories asks us to slow down, look around and listen…

Marking 25 years of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields’ work with people experiencing homelessness, this SoundWalk has been especially created alongside participants for Marriner100 – the orchestra’s celebration of the centenary of its founder, Sir Neville Marriner.

Find out more at www.asmf.org/soundwalk

A City Full of Stories - Prologue

Welcome to the soundwalk. We begin on the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields church, where the orchestra began its life. The Prologue music is based on Elgar's Serenade for Strings - but what music and what musicians lie beyond, in this city full of stories?

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You're My Heart

Written and sung by M from The Connection, recorded by The Connection Music Group. "You're my heart, you're my soul, I can keep it shining everywhere I go".
"You're My Heart" takes us past the Connection Day Centre, which is on your left as you turn into Adelaide Street. Keep walking, and take care when crossing the road!

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A Building's Story

Head down Chandos Street. Keep walking. There is a building on the right hand side at the end - what might its story be, and how has its experience changed through time?

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Benches

Go through the gates to the quiet space of St. Paul's church. (If the gates are closed, go back towards Bedford Street, turn RIGHT. then RIGHT again on King Street to resume the Soundwalk via the alternative route).

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Fountain Song (alternative Route)

Turn right when you reach the end of King Street, and make your way along the edge of Covent Garden Piazza. PAUSE on this corner to hear the whole Fountain Song, before rejoining the walk once you pass the grand Portico on your left.

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Fountain Song

Stop a while by Neptune's Fountain and hear our song. Will you throw in a penny and make a wish? When you're ready, go through the wooden gates and turn right and right again.

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Walking

Go through the wooden gate onto Covent Garden Piazza. Turn right, then right again onto Henrietta Street. Keep walking.

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A Fox in London

Who are the creatures with which we share the city?

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I Am

Turn into Mays Court, along the side of The Coliseum building. "I am many things ... an eagle in the sky, a snow leopard, a scorpion, a sloth"

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Compass Song

Turn left onto St. Martin's Lane. Ahead of you is St Martin in the Fields church, in Trafalgar Square, where the walk finishes. This is our last song - Compass Song, composed and recorded by The Connection Music Group. "When you know your destination, but you can't find your way, I am a compass, I have a purpose, I have a song". This Soundwalk was produced by Callum Given, Head of Social Purpose at The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. Thanks to the musicians from the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, The Royal Academy of Music Open Academy, and the staff and service users from The Connection. Music (underscores) and music workshops led by Jackie Walduck. Words (Prologue) and writing workshops led by Hazel Gould. Images drawn by Ruby Wright.

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