“In 1999, I befriended a young man with Downs Syndrome called Tony. One day I sang him “I Am The Music Man” and he soon requested his favourite song: “The 12 Days of Christmas”. 14 renditions later we both collapsed in fits of laughter. It was the middle of July after all! Tony’s reaction changed my life forever. I taught a small workshop for people with learning disabilities and promised them that one day they would play the Royal Albert Hall. It was a joke that became a dream, that became an ambition and then my obsession.
Twenty years later, The Music Man Project presented 200 children and adults with learning disabilities from across the UK in a concert of my original music. ‘Music is Magic at the Royal Albert Hall’ was the UK’s largest ever celebration of accessible music-making. My students have now played the Royal Albert Hall four times, played the London Palladium twice, broken a world record, entertained Royalty, appeared on TV and performed alongside Michael Ball, the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines and the Band of the Royal Air Force. They’ve performed all over the world, including America, Canada and Italy.
The Music Man Project joins a remarkable community of people together through song, country by country. It multiplies that original moment of joy I experienced with Tony and shows what people with learning disabilities can do, not just what they need.”
Accessible Music Education and Performance for All
The Music Man Project teaches children and adults with learning disabilities to sing, sign and play original music and arrangements. We train our students to become respected musicians in their community, capable of entertaining large audiences at prestigious concert venues through the study of standard repertoire using standard instruments. Our approach is not corrective music therapy but instead responds to the demand for the same practical live group music tuition and performance opportunities afforded to the mainstream.
The chance to see and hear people with learning disabilities perform in the most prestigious venues across the UK and around the world, alongside celebrities and industry professionals, with national media coverage, holds incredible value for everyone involved, from the performers and their families to the audiences they inspire.
Documentary Playlist
Musical Collaborations, Celebrity Endorsements and Political Suppport
The Music Man Project works with politicians, celebrities, world renowned musical ensembles and industry professionals to help us promote the talents of musicians with learning disabilities. Our collaborations include legend of musical theatre, Michael Ball, His Majesty’s Band of the Royal Marines, the Royal Air Force Band Service, Taiwanese mezzo-soprano, Der-Shin Hwang, singer and actor, Lee Mead, singing duo Classical Reflection, actor Peter Egan, the Phantom Peter Kerrie and stars of Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor. We receive support from Prime Ministers, the Leader of the House of Commons, the Speaker of the House of Commons and members of the British Royal Family.
From Southend to San Diego: Meet the Global Ambassadors
The home of The Music Man Project is Southend-on-Sea, the City where David established his first weekly music school. Following the debut of 80 Southend-based Music Man Project performers at the London Palladium in 2015, a group of 12 original students became the charity’s first Student Ambassadors. These leading musicians tour the UK with concerts and workshops to encourage other communities to duplicate David’s original service. They regularly appear in the national media and at major concert venues, and they have delivered workshops to 17,000 primary school pupils. In 2023, the Student Ambassadors became Global Ambassadors following their tour of San Diego, supported by His Majesty’s Band of the Royal Marines and courtesy of our global marketing partner, TEAM LEWIS. In 2024 they performed at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Canada.
Corporate Away Days
Our inspiratoinal Corporate Disability Team Building Sessions bring disabled and business communities together through singing, signing, playing and dancing with our award-winning musicians. Find out more.
Education Workshops
Our workshops for schools inspire future accessible music educators and reduce prejudice and ignorance in future generations. Pupils learn to sing, sign, play and dance to repertoire from the Music Man Project Songbook, led by The Music Man Project Global Ambassadors. Book a visit.
“I stood back at one point to take in the children’s reactions, all I saw was smiling, happy and laughing faces. The children were hugging and dancing with the Music Man group, just having the time of their lives. They didn’t even want to go back to class!”
Higher Education and Academic Research
The Music Man Project is the basis of PhD research at the Royal College of Music by Music Man Project Director, Dr Natalie Bradford. We have lectured at Berklee College’s ABLE Assembly in Boston, Manhattan School of Music in New York, the UK’s National Music Mark Conference and the Inclusive and Supportive Education Conference (ISEC21), hosted by the University College of London Centre for Inclusive Education and the National Association of Special Educational Needs. Regional Music Man Project work in partnership with local colleges and universities and we support research students at universities around the UK, including Bath Spa University, the University of Birmingham and University College, London.
“Inspiring, informative and impactful for our students” [Manhatten School of Music, New York]
Charity Directors
Patrons
