Wherever he is, I trust Walt Disney has heard David Curtis’ apology about Troy Story, Orchestra of the Swan’s latest project, the title of which is a cheeky play on words of blockbuster Disney film Toy Story.

But Troy Story is a brilliant name for the enterprise which comes to fruition at Birmingham Town Hall on Tuesday, bringing Homer’s Trojan War epics – the Iliad and the Odyssey – into the experience of 21st-century primary schoolchildren.

“It arose from an idea of commissioning a substantial piece of work for the Welcombe Hills Special School here in Stratford,” says David, artistic director of Stratford-based Orchestra of the Swan, explaining how Troy Story came about.

“We’d been working with them for some time, so about four years ago I asked if they’d like us to commission an opera for them. They said yes and I then approached the theatre company Talking Birds from Coventry with the proposal to commission the Odyssey.

They agreed, and said ‘Let’s put it into Space!’, so A Space Odyssey – An Intergalactic Opera with a fantastic script from Nick Walker, matched by the score from Derek Nisbet, was born.”

That performance, which also included mainstream primary schools, was a tremendous success. But that was only the beginning, as David continues.

“We always wanted that to be the start of the journey for these children, so when we secured funds from Arts Council England, Esmee Fairbairn and numerous other funders, we decided to add the prequel, The Iliad to complete Troy Story and to work with similar schools from Birmingham as well.”

And David enthuses about the interaction between these children of differing abilities.

“It’s great. Kids are kids regardless of race, colour, religion, ability/disability. They just get on with each other and the project. It’s a great lesson for the adults involved, under the skin we’re all the same. I think for me one of the most remarkable aspects has been how much all of us have learned from the children, especially the Special Educational Needs kids… very humbling.”

One of the endearing features of Orchestra of the Swan is its passion and commitment for whatever project is on hand.

“I’m very fortunate that we’ve created a team of players who really do ‘get it’,” says David.

“They’re always coming up with ideas for making it even better, It can be almost anarchic at times but there’s a real energy there!”

David pays further tribute to the contribution of his colleagues. “Very special thanks to the Talking Birds team who are just brilliant, such a great partnership and we very much hope to work together again, and to Louise Braithwaite, who has been a fantastic project manager. Without Louise none of us would be in the right place at the right time!”

And before talking about the benefits of this enterprise, he gives the audience a tip.

“Watch Christian, lad in the wheelchair from the Welcombe Hills, when he comes on at the beginning. He is, and knows, that he’s the star of the show. His parents say he listens to the songs just about every night before he goes to bed.

“So much can be learned from this type of work that then informs our next performance of a Mozart symphony… maybe it’ll help me get the right tempo in the Linz! It’s about sharing and communicating a passion for music and humanity. Sorry, that sounds pretentious but this project really does make a difference to some lives.”

A tremendous amount of work has gone into preparing for this performance, not least co-ordinating rehearsals between the six schools involved: Welcombe Hills, Thomas Jolyffe and Wilmcote primary schools from Stratford, and Birmingham’s Brays, St Edmund’s and St Patrick’s primary schools. Plus David Curtis raising funds by participating in the Stratford Marathon last April and then triathlon a few days later in May. All of this just for a
one-off performance?

“Not really just for the performance,” emphasises David. The workshops are just as, if not more, important, and the legacy is incalculable. We can’t solve all the problems of the world through music, nor even the struggles that some of these children will have as they go through life, but if we can make a difference then we damn well should.”

* Troy Story is being performed at Birmingham Town Hall on July 9 (4.30pm). Details on 0121 780 3333.