'A City Full of Stories' is a 25-minute immersive audio experience created alongside people experiencing homelessness. This SoundWalk is the result of a collaboration between the Academy of St Martin in the Fields (ASMF), The Connection at St Martin's, The Outside Project and Open Academy. It was specially created for Marriner100, ASMF's celebration of the centenary of its founder, Sir Neville Marriner.

Over the course of this project, workshops and recording sessions were led by Open Academy lecturer Jackie Walduck and writer Hazel Gould. In these sessions, music and words were composed and created by members of The Connection at St Martin’s and The Outside Project participants, and subsequently performed and recorded with Academy students and Fellows and musicians from ASMF.

'A City Full of Stories' is free to the public between 15 April and 15 October, and can be experienced by visiting the Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields on Trafalgar Square and picking up a leaflet. Find out more on the Academy of St Martin in the Fields website.

'The partnership with ASMF and Connection is a welcome addition to Open Academy's portfolio, offering students and Fellows the opportunity to take part in an existing orchestral Learning and Participation project. The project challenges all of us to use our in-the-moment creativity and flair to create in an unpredictable environment.'

Jackie Walduck

'This project reminded me why I enjoyed playing music as a child, because I was able to express myself without having to articulate it in words. It was a wonderful experience to be a part of this, and to witness such a welcoming space was really special.'

Anna, postgraduate harp student

'This project was very rewarding and reminded me how music can connect with people and how it's a tool to support and motivate individuals.'

Hugo, Open Academy Fellow

Open Academy, the Academy’s community and participation department, works with around 6,000 music makers, beyond our enrolled students and staff, each year. Through the work of this department, students can develop their musicianship, make connections with people from all walks of life and reflect upon the contribution they can make to society through their artistry.

Illustrations: Ruby Wright