REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
The Music Man Project to Celebrate Accessible Music at Royal Albert Hall
with Special Guest, Michael Ball
8th April 2024
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
The Music Man Project to Celebrate Accessible Music at Royal Albert Hall
with Special Guest, Michael Ball
8th April 2024
You only need to spend a few moments at a Music Man Project performance, to realise the importance of the arts in education and how truly special this Charity is.
“Founded by the UK’s Disability and Access Ambassador for Arts and Culture and Churchill Fellow, David Stanley BEM, The Music Man Project is a multi-award-winning, world record-breaking, international music education charity”, which “teaches children and adults with learning disabilities to sing, sign and play original music and arrangements”. From their headquarters in the City of Southend-on-Sea, David and his Global Ambassadors work together, on a voluntary basis, “promoting equal access to performance and raising awareness of the achievements of disadvantaged people in the arts”.
Today at the Royal Albert Hall (thankfully, the planned tube strike was called off) they were joined by Michael Ball OBE (one of their patrons), a whole host of special guests, an array of choirs and supported by The Band of HM Royal Marines Collingwood, all of whom contributed magnificently to an inspirational, heartwarming celebration of music-making at its very best. One cannot fail to be moved by the whole occasion.
Every single one of the Music Man Project teams (nine regions from all over the country were represented) create such joy in all they do. No wonder they chose “Music is Magic” as their mantra. In their hands, it truly is. They have the ability to transport you to another world, warm your heart and bring a smile to your face, which lasts long after you’ve left the building. If we could only bottle that feeling and sprinkle the world with their love, enthusiasm and fun. We could all benefit from a piece of Music Man Project sunshine.
It was particularly fitting that, toward the end of the evening, David received a Points of Light award from Anna Firth MP, on behalf of the Prime Minister, in recognition of his outstanding UK volunteer work. There’s no-one more deserving.
Well done to you all…..next stop Broadway!
Review: Joanna Masters
“Founded by the UK’s Disability and Access Ambassador for Arts and Culture and Churchill Fellow, David Stanley BEM, The Music Man Project is a multi-award-winning, world record-breaking, international music education charity”, which “teaches children and adults with learning disabilities to sing, sign and play original music and arrangements”. From their headquarters in the City of Southend-on-Sea, David and his Global Ambassadors work together, on a voluntary basis, “promoting equal access to performance and raising awareness of the achievements of disadvantaged people in the arts”.
Today at the Royal Albert Hall (thankfully, the planned tube strike was called off) they were joined by Michael Ball OBE (one of their patrons), a whole host of special guests, an array of choirs and supported by The Band of HM Royal Marines Collingwood, all of whom contributed magnificently to an inspirational, heartwarming celebration of music-making at its very best. One cannot fail to be moved by the whole occasion.
Every single one of the Music Man Project teams (nine regions from all over the country were represented) create such joy in all they do. No wonder they chose “Music is Magic” as their mantra. In their hands, it truly is. They have the ability to transport you to another world, warm your heart and bring a smile to your face, which lasts long after you’ve left the building. If we could only bottle that feeling and sprinkle the world with their love, enthusiasm and fun. We could all benefit from a piece of Music Man Project sunshine.
It was particularly fitting that, toward the end of the evening, David received a Points of Light award from Anna Firth MP, on behalf of the Prime Minister, in recognition of his outstanding UK volunteer work. There’s no-one more deserving.
Well done to you all…..next stop Broadway!
Review: Joanna Masters
The Music Man Project, a multi-award-winning, world record breaking disability charity, will return to the iconic Royal Albert Hall on April 8, 2024 for a concert that will be an emotional rollercoaster for the performers and audience alike. The concert will feature a very special guest - the charity’s patron, musical theatre legend and multi-platinum recording artist, Michael Ball and The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines.
Founded by Disability and Access Ambassador for Arts and Culture, David Stanley BEM, The Music Man Project is a ground-breaking, global beacon of musical inclusivity and opportunity. Recent achievements include a top 10 Christmas single with the Royal Marines, a concert tour to San Diego, a standing ovation from His Majesty the King and a performance workshop at Number 10 Downing Street.
Founded by Disability and Access Ambassador for Arts and Culture, David Stanley BEM, The Music Man Project is a ground-breaking, global beacon of musical inclusivity and opportunity. Recent achievements include a top 10 Christmas single with the Royal Marines, a concert tour to San Diego, a standing ovation from His Majesty the King and a performance workshop at Number 10 Downing Street.
Photo: Jon Webber
“Music is Magic at the Royal Albert Hall” will showcase the talents of hundreds of musicians with learning disabilities from across the charity’s UK network. It follows acclaimed performances at the London Palladium in 2015 and 2017 and a spectacular Royal Albert Hall debut in 2019. The concert features the world premiere of David’s new musical “The Music Man Time Machine”, with a special performance by Michael Ball and The Music Man Project students, who will sing a new track titled “Make A Difference”.
“This concert will be a night the audience and The Music Man Project will never forget,” said David Stanley. “It will be an emotional rollercoaster, filled with joy, laughter and tears. But most of all, it will be a night of magic, as we celebrate the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community. We’re so thrilled that our patron, Michael Ball and The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines will be joining us for this incredible evening.”
“We are delighted to be supporting The Music Man Project at the Royal Albert Hall for this ground breaking concert,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jason Burcham, Principal Director of Music Royal Marines. “The Music Man Project is an incredible organisation that is breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for people who often don’t get the chance to shine. The Music Man Project are our friends and playing alongside them is an honour for everyone at the Royal Marines Band Service.”
“This concert will be a night the audience and The Music Man Project will never forget,” said David Stanley. “It will be an emotional rollercoaster, filled with joy, laughter and tears. But most of all, it will be a night of magic, as we celebrate the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community. We’re so thrilled that our patron, Michael Ball and The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines will be joining us for this incredible evening.”
“We are delighted to be supporting The Music Man Project at the Royal Albert Hall for this ground breaking concert,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jason Burcham, Principal Director of Music Royal Marines. “The Music Man Project is an incredible organisation that is breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for people who often don’t get the chance to shine. The Music Man Project are our friends and playing alongside them is an honour for everyone at the Royal Marines Band Service.”
Photo: Jon Webber
“The Music Man Project is such a beautiful project,” said Michael Ball. “The students have shown me nothing but love since I first met them at the start of 2023. I am so excited to be performing alongside these talented musicians at the Royal Albert Hall. This is such an important event, and I am honoured to be a part of it. I know that the audience will be inspired by their incredible talent.”
Tickets for “Music is Magic at the Royal Albert Hall” are on sale now.
For more information, please visit www.themusicmanproject.com.
Tickets for “Music is Magic at the Royal Albert Hall” are on sale now.
For more information, please visit www.themusicmanproject.com.
Photos: Jon Webber
About The Music Man Project
The Music Man Project is an award-winning international music education and performance service for people with learning disabilities, founded by the Government’s Disability and Access Ambassador for Arts and Culture, David Stanley BEM. The charity operates across the United Kingdom and has reached Nepal, the Philippines, South Africa and India. David’s musicians have performed to members of the Royal Family, entertained thousands in original productions at the London Palladium and Royal Albert Hall, featured on TV and radio, broken a Guinness World Record and opened a national TV advert.
About Royal Marines Band Service
The Royal Marines Band Service is the musical wing of the Royal Navy and an independent element of the Royal Marines. It currently consists of five bands plus a training wing – the Royal Marines School of Music at HMS Nelson – and its headquarters is at HMS Excellent, Whale Island, Portsmouth.
About Michael Ball
Michael Ball is Britain’s leading musical theatre star, a double Olivier Award-winning, Grammy nominated, multi-platinum recording artist and a hugely popular radio and TV presenter. For over 30 years he has been at the top of his game, starring in musical theatre productions in the West End and on Broadway, winning critical acclaim, a devoted following and awards for his stage work and recording career.
His debut novel, The Empire, was published in Autumn 2022 and became a Sunday Times Bestseller.
The Music Man Project is an award-winning international music education and performance service for people with learning disabilities, founded by the Government’s Disability and Access Ambassador for Arts and Culture, David Stanley BEM. The charity operates across the United Kingdom and has reached Nepal, the Philippines, South Africa and India. David’s musicians have performed to members of the Royal Family, entertained thousands in original productions at the London Palladium and Royal Albert Hall, featured on TV and radio, broken a Guinness World Record and opened a national TV advert.
About Royal Marines Band Service
The Royal Marines Band Service is the musical wing of the Royal Navy and an independent element of the Royal Marines. It currently consists of five bands plus a training wing – the Royal Marines School of Music at HMS Nelson – and its headquarters is at HMS Excellent, Whale Island, Portsmouth.
About Michael Ball
Michael Ball is Britain’s leading musical theatre star, a double Olivier Award-winning, Grammy nominated, multi-platinum recording artist and a hugely popular radio and TV presenter. For over 30 years he has been at the top of his game, starring in musical theatre productions in the West End and on Broadway, winning critical acclaim, a devoted following and awards for his stage work and recording career.
His debut novel, The Empire, was published in Autumn 2022 and became a Sunday Times Bestseller.
David Stanley at the Royal Albert Hall with the Music Man Project