Music Man Project

Last updated

The Music Man Project
Founded2000
FounderDavid Stanley
Registration no.Charity number 1188041
Location
Coordinates 51°33′N0°43′E / 51.55°N 0.71°E / 51.55; 0.71
Area served
United Kingdom and Overseas
Key people
 David Amess (late President)
Michael Ball (Patron)
Anna Firth (Patron)
Penny Mordaunt (Patron)
Website Official Website

The Music Man Project (MMP) is a UK charity founded in Southend-on-Sea, Essex in 2000. It provides a music education and performance service for people with learning disabilities.

Contents

History

The MMP began as Southend Mencap Music School in 2000, providing weekly music sessions for adults and children with learning disabilities. [1] It was founded by former deputy head teacher David Stanley. [2]

In 2012, the MMP was established as a full-time music education and performance service for adults in Southend. [3] It also set up a service for local special schools. [4] Since 2016 services have been set up in the UK and Overseas.

The MMP became a company limited by guarantee in 2019 [5] and a separate charity in 2020. [6]

The MMP was awarded the King's Award for Voluntary Service on 14 November 2024. [7]

Activities

The MMP supports its students to sing, play musical instruments and use actions based on Makaton sign language. [8]

Its main activities in Southend include performances at civic engagements, [9] public events [10] [11] and Christmas concerts. [12]

It supports special schools by providing music tuition for pupils [13] and performs with mainstream primary schoolchildren. [14] [15]

Performances have taken place at the London Palladium, [16] [17] [18] Royal Albert Hall, [19] [20] 10 Downing Street [21] and USS Midway Museum. [22]

Associations

David Amess was president of the MMP. [23] He attended its concerts at the London Palladium in 2015 and the Royal Albert Hall in 2019. [24] Following his murder in October 2021 the MMP sang at the funeral mass held in Westminster Cathedral [25] and at a memorial concert at the Cliffs Pavilion in February 2022. [26]

The Royal Marines Band Service began a collaboration with the MMP in 2022. [27] They recorded a Christmas single in tribute to David Amess [28] which was released in December 2022. [29] [30] In March 2023 the MMP performed with the Massed Bands of His Majesty's Royal Marines at the 51st Mountbatten Festival of Music. The event was attended by His Majesty King Charles III. [31]

The Team Lewis Foundation charity [32] formed a collaboration with the MMP in October 2021, providing a cash donation and support with media projects. [33] In 2022 it created a new MMP website and provided training for ongoing maintenance. [34] It issued a press release covering the launch of a music video for the Christmas single. [35]

Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty attend a performance by Music Man Project at 10 Downing Street in June 2023 Akshata Murty attends a performance by Music Man Project (52979018230).jpg
Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty attend a performance by Music Man Project at 10 Downing Street in June 2023

Rishi Sunak supported the Christmas single. [36] In June 2023 Sunak and Akshata Murty attended a performance by the MMP in 10 Downing Street. [21]

Michael Ball met the MMP on The National Lottery (United Kingdom)'s Big Night of Musicals in March 2023 [37] and became its patron in April 2023. [38] Ball performed with the MMP in its concert at the Royal Albert Hall in April 2024. [39]

The National Lottery provided grants to the MMP from the National Lottery Community Fund in 2012 [40] and 2018. [41] Three MMP students took part in its 25th anniversary advertisement in 2019. [42] During the covid-19 pandemic, it gave the MMP £10,000 from its coronavirus emergency fund. This was used by the MMP to supply instruments to people with learning disabilities and provide online music sessions. [43]

UK

The MMP has replicated its Southend service by working with national organisations such as The Salvation Army [44] [45] and Mencap, [46] [47] and providing introductory sessions. [48] [49] [50]

UK Services

Overseas

MMP services have been introduced to learning disabled communities overseas. [66]

In January 2023 the MMP visited San Diego United States to undertake performances and workshops with the Royal Marines Band Service. [22]

In June 2024 the MMP visited Nova Scotia Canada to take part in the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. [68]

In September 2024 the MMP visited Milan Italy to play a concert in conjuction with Allegro Moderato, an organisation for musicians with disabilities. [69]

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References

  1. ↑ Music Marathon on Southend Pier at the Wayback Machine (archived 16 August 2022)
  2. ↑ David Stanley BEM – King’s College London at the Wayback Machine (archived 11 February 2024)
  3. 1 2 "New venture in Southend supporting Mencap". Echo. 26 June 2012. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024.
  4. ↑ Special Children – Optimus Education (Music for all: pages 8 – 10) at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 March 2024)
  5. ↑ The Music Man Project Limited GOV.UK at the Wayback Machine (archived 21 February 2024)
  6. ↑ Governance, The Music Man Project – 1188041, Register of Charities – The Charity Commission at the Wayback Machine (archived 26 February 2024)
  7. ↑ Disability music charity sets sights on Broadway. at the Wayback Machine (archived 16 December 2024)
  8. 1 2 "Disability-friendly music group to launch in Clitheroe – Lancashire Telegraph". 25 February 2024. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024.
  9. ↑ Year of Culture celebrated – Echo at the Wayback Machine (archived 14 February 2024)
  10. ↑ Centenarians Tea Party – Leigh on Sea News at the Wayback Machine (archived 11 February 2024)
  11. ↑ Music Man Project warm welcome at Southend Airport – Echo at the Wayback Machine (archived 24 May 2023)
  12. ↑ Southend the Music Man Project put on 22nd Christmas concert at the Wayback Machine (archived 1 January 2024)
  13. ↑ National Plan for Music Education Case Studies – HM Government (Kingsdown School: page 25) at the Wayback Machine (archived 14 February 2024)
  14. ↑ Joint Choirs Event – Leigh-on-Sea at the Wayback Machine (archived 9 May 2023)
  15. ↑ Pupils and brass band prepare for Remembrance Concert – Clacton and Frinton Gazette at the Wayback Machine (archived 10 December 2023)
  16. ↑ The Music Man Project presents – Music is Magic at the London Palladium – Autism Daily Newscast at the Wayback Machine (archived 12 August 2022)
  17. ↑ An orchestra of triangle players just broke this huge world record – Classic FM at the Wayback Machine (archived 1 March 2024)
  18. ↑ PM salutes music group’s record-breaking success – Echo at the Wayback Machine (archived 12 February 2024)
  19. ↑ Keynsham and District Mencap Society – Giving People a Voice through Music – The Society of Merchant Venturers at the Wayback Machine (archived 9 June 2023)
  20. ↑ Southend's Music Man Project shine at the Royal Albert Hall – Echo at the Wayback Machine (archived 9 April 2024)
  21. 1 2 "Leigh Charity The Music Man Project Perform at Number 10 – Echo". 16 June 2023. Archived from the original on 16 June 2023.
  22. 1 2 "Southend's The Music Man Charity perform on tour in America – Echo". 3 January 2024. Archived from the original on 3 January 2024.
  23. ↑ He would always turn up: Sir David Amess' community and charity work remembered – Wimbledon Times at the Wayback Machine (archived 1 January 2024)
  24. ↑ Sir David Amess: Locals remember the 'always smiling, always energetic' MP who always had time for others – Sky News at the Wayback Machine (archived 9 April 2023)
  25. ↑ David Amess: Charity Christmas single release for murdered MP – BBC News at the Wayback Machine (archived 9 December 2022)
  26. ↑ Pictures: 'Emotional' concert held in honour of Sir David Amess – Echo at the Wayback Machine (archived 4 April 2023)
  27. ↑ RM Band aim to top Christmas charts with charity single at the Wayback Machine (archived 27 January 2023)
  28. ↑ Charity Christmas single to be released in tribute to Sir David Amess – The Independent at the Wayback Machine (archived 22 December 2022)
  29. ↑ Music Man Project Christmas single music video out tomorrow – Echo at the Wayback Machine (archived 14 February 2024)
  30. ↑ Royal Marines Band and HMS Collingwood reach No 10 in music charts with charity single from learning disability choir honouring late patron Sir David Amess MP at the Wayback Machine (archived 9 January 2024)
  31. ↑ Royal acclaim for Royal Marines Massed Bands' weekend festival – RMA – The Royal Marines Charity at the Wayback Machine (archived 12 February 2024)
  32. ↑ Charity overview, Team Lewis Foundation – 1148962, Register of Charities – The Charity Commission at the Wayback Machine (archived 26 February 2024)
  33. ↑ TEAM LEWIS Foundation channels cash and award-winning creative to 500 causes worldwide selected by employee choice and involvement – Ethical Marketing News at the Wayback Machine (archived 17 February 2022)
  34. ↑ The Music Man Project x TEAM LEWIS Foundation – Team Lewis at the Wayback Machine (archived 1 December 2023)
  35. ↑ The Band of the Royal Marines launches Christmas single with the acclaimed Music Man Project – Team Lewis at the Wayback Machine (archived 9 February 2023)
  36. ↑ Music Man Project gets Rishi Sunak’s support for Christmas number one – Echo at the Wayback Machine (archived 23 December 2022)
  37. ↑ Music Man Project founder presented award on BBC One – Echo at the Wayback Machine (archived 26 March 2023)
  38. ↑ The Music Man Project unveils Michael Ball OBE as celebrity patron – Echo at the Wayback Machine (archived 25 April 2023)
  39. ↑ Michael Ball sings with disability group at Albert Hall – BBC News at the Wayback Machine (archived 9 April 2024)
  40. ↑ The Music Man – Project – The National Lottery Community Fund at the Wayback Machine (archived 1 March 2024)
  41. ↑ The Music Man Project Expansion – Project – The National Lottery Community Fund at the Wayback Machine (archived 1 March 2024)
  42. ↑ Music Man stars fronting National Lottery’s 25th anniversary ad – Echo at the Wayback Machine (archived 3 January 2024)
  43. ↑ The Music Man Project’s vital lockdown work helping disabled people in Southend – Echo at the Wayback Machine (archived 3 January 2024)
  44. ↑ The Music Man Project – The Salvation Army at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 January 2024)
  45. ↑ The Music Man Project: Musical momentum at the Wayback Machine (archived 26 February 2024)
  46. ↑ Music Man Project Keynsham – Keynsham & District Mencap Society at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 January 2024)
  47. ↑ The Music Man Project – Grove Cottage at the Wayback Machine (archived 7 June 2023)
  48. ↑ Music Man joins forces with Ellesmere Port Salvation Army – The Salvation Army at the Wayback Machine (archived 3 December 2023)
  49. ↑ Free educational activity launches for young people with learning disabilities in Liverpool – Forever Strawberry Field at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 January 2024)
  50. ↑ Pictures: delight at free music lessons in Bognor Regis at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 January 2024)
  51. ↑ Music project hits the right notes in Lowestoft – Lowestoft Journal at the Wayback Machine (archived 13 March 2024)
  52. ↑ Pictures: The Music Man Project sets up school in town at the Wayback Machine (archived 11 March 2024)
  53. ↑ Simply Connect Medway – Music Man Project (Maidstone Mencap) at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 January 2024)
  54. ↑ The Music Man Project – BeyondAutism at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 January 2024)
  55. ↑ The Music Man Project (Kent/Medway) CIC filing history – Gov.UK at the Wayback Machine (archived 25 February 2024)
  56. ↑ The George Steven Community Hub – The Salvation Army at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 January 2024)
  57. ↑ Keynsham Mencap perform at the Royal Albert Hall at the Wayback Machine (archived 12 March 2024)
  58. ↑ Local musicians with learning difficulties perform at the Royal Albert Hall – Daily Echo at the Wayback Machine (archived 4 March 2024)
  59. ↑ Musicians at Grove Cottage in Bishop’s Stortford to perform with Michael Ball at Royal Albert Hall at the Wayback Machine (archived 4 August 2023)
  60. ↑ Music Man Project – Stronger Together Thurrock at the Wayback Machine (archived 5 July 2022)
  61. ↑ Bognor Regis – The Salvation Army at the Wayback Machine (archived 17 January 2024)
  62. ↑ New Bridgwater music project for learning disabled adults – The Salvation Army at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 January 2024)
  63. ↑ The Music Man Project – Essex Local Offer at the Wayback Machine (archived 11 March 2024)
  64. ↑ Balham The Salvation Army at the Wayback Machine (archived 17 January 2024)
  65. ↑ Portsmouth Music Hub at the Wayback Machine (archived 11 December 2024)
  66. ↑ Music Is Magic: the charity Christmas single connecting people with learning disabilities and military musicians at the Wayback Machine (archived 9 June 2023)
  67. ↑ Transforming lives by building love of music – Echo at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 October 2019)
  68. ↑ Des musiciens handicapés au Tattoo d’Halifax pour promouvoir la musique accessible – Radio Canada at the Wayback Machine (archived 3 July 2024)
  69. ↑ Southend music group wows audiences with show in Italy at the Wayback Machine (archived 24 December 2024)

Further reading

Bradford, Natalie (15 June 2021). What is the effect of active music participation on well-being among adults with Down's syndrome? (PhD). Royal College of Music. doi: 10.24379/RCM.00001948 . Archived from the original on 23 June 2021.

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