Storytelling-More Than Just Stories

It is fall, my favorite time of year. Nature gifts us with vibrant colors, clear blue skies, and refreshing breezes. It is a time of reflection for me, and I spend many cold nights reading the myths and stories of long ago people. True storytelling is so much more than a story, so much more than five or ten minutes spent having fun. The real story is true in a way most important things are true; it points us to the path that is right for us, it gives us a glimpse of how life should be lived, it makes us love one another.

Storytelling involves the listener - it is always "my" story. I see the characters in my imagination, I build the scene the way I picture it, I feel myself in the various characters. It is interactive - the teller and the listener are in this together.

So that's why I tell stories - in music, in song, in words. It is an ancient art, one where we come together to find out who we are and how we will live.

Saltillo Elementary November Program

We had a wonderful time at Saltillo Elementary in November. Around 250 third-graders listened to stories, acted out parts, sang songs, and played some of my homemade percussion instruments. In the first story, "Coyote Steals Fire" coyote uses his brains to get fire for the people, but he loses it when he trips and drops it.

















Here is coyote begging the sun beings for fire. Saltillo third graders are great actors!

















In the story "Music of the Birds" the courtiers are unhappy when the king drags them through the woods and then expects them to sit on the ground. There are many mishaps before the king learns that nature can't always be manipulated.















Another group of students get the beat and help me with the finale!!!

Summer Storytelling

It's been a great summer. Last week, I was at the Bryan Public Library in West Point, telling stories and singing songs to a rockin, rollin group of around 125 children!





I love participatory stories, and had some great actresses and actors from the audience to help with the stories.






In one story, the people in a village learn to be kind to all - including people who are very different from ourselves. They also learn that nature and the things around them, such as clean water and air, cannot be taken for granted.











Music is a part of all programs, and I always enjoy putting together a percussion band made up of children from the audience. Many of the instruments are made from everyday things: tin cans, plastic bottles, balloons, PVC pipe, etc. I try to spend a few minutes showing parents and children how they can make them at home.
Other instruments are a little harder to build, but fun to see and play. This orange crate guitar sounds surprisingly good, thanks to a cookie tin amplifier placed inside the crate.





It is always amazing to me how much children and adults enjoy oral stories. It's reassuring that in today's world of TV, movies, and computers, we can still come together and enjoy using our imaginations and talents to have fun as a group!

Week at John C. Campbell Folk School

I just got back from a week at the John C. Campbell Folk School. In addition to teaching an awesome bunch of adults in the hammered dulcimer class, I had a chance to perform with my good friend, Anne Lough. She and her husband were performing for the community concert, and she asked me to sing a song with her. I did "Long Black Veil" and her high soprano harmonies were wonderful! We had about 300 people in attendance, and everyone had a great time!

Hammered dulcimer Class at John C. Campbell Folk School

During my week at the folk school, I was the assistant instructor for a hammered dulcimer class of 10 excited, motivated adults! Happily, the teacher was my good friend, Anne Lough, so we were able to catch up on news, visit and teach. What a neat class it was! Some of the students couldn't even read music, and several were intimidated by the 60 plus strings. By the end of the week, though, everyone could play a number of tunes. In fact, the class performed at "Morning Song" before a large crowd on the last day of classes! My favorite quote was from Dorothy:"I never thought I'd be able to really hear music!"

"Luciernagas" Coming This Summer

I will be the storyteller/musician for a seven week series for Hispanic families in Vardaman this summer. "Luciernagas" is sponsored by the Ms. Humanities Council, and involves whole families in the fun of good literature presented in Spanish and English, as well as songs and discussion of the weekly theme. We will start June 10, and already have 11 families signed up!

West Point: Music in the Park Series

I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of West Point's "Music in the Park" on May 6. It was a beautiful, warm evening and we set up in the Gazebo with hammered dulcimer, orange crate guitar, and a stack of crazy percussion instruments. We had lots of fun with stories and music. Several children in the audience became my percussion band, playing gourd shakers, rattles, tin can drums, and singing along. Thanks to the Ms. Arts Commission and the West Point Arts Council for funding this series of performances.

Magee Madness!

I had a great time at Magee Middle School on March 5! Students sang, played percussion instruments, and performed as part of "Anansi and Turtle" and "Gray Eagle Catches the Sun." After the performance for around 300 fifth and sixth graders, third and fourth graders were bussed over for a second program.
Thanks to Valerie Jones and the Mississippi Arts Commission for making the fun possible, and to Valerie for the hospitality, the extra work getting buses for students, and the snacks! We also enjoyed visiting with school librarian Diane Butler. The library burned down this year, but she is staying upbeat, cheerful, and creative in providing books and stories for her students.
In the story of Anansi, a folktale from Africa, the little spider learns the true meaning of friendship. Gray Eagle, in catching the sun, learns the importance of sharing and being humble. Both stories involve the main character being taught a lesson through his own actions and those of his friends. In this vein, I sang "What Can One Little Person Do" "Hello to You" and other songs concerned with friendship and caring for others. My hammered dulcimer and styrofoam ice chest guitar playing were accompanied by volunteer student bands. Let me tell you, Magee students have rhythm!
It is interesting to me to see how eager children are to come up on stage to play an instrument, provide sound effects, or play the parts of characters. In fact, I often bemoan the fact that many more hands go up than I can call on. What happens to us by the time we're adults? I think we get WAY too concerned with what others might think. There's a lesson for all of us grown-ups here: maybe we could learn to let go and relax into the moment, and just have fun with it. Just a thought!
If you're ever in Magee, don't miss eating at Zip's, home of the Zip Burger. Wow! We were so glad we heard about this place in time for dinner. Best hamburger and fries I've ever had anywhere!