The Music Man Project Essex
The Music Man Project Essex is the original service established by David Stanley BEM nearly 25 years ago. It is home to both the headquarters of the national Music Man Project charity and the acclaimed Music Man Project Global Ambassadors. Following a series of workshops with his friend Tony and other young adults with learning disabilities from Southend, David launched a Saturday Music School in 2001 supported by local charity Southend Mencap. David’s former pupil, Jenny Hitchcock, volunteered at the Music School and became David’s assistant when he took the service full-time in 2012. The Music Man Project Essex now runs classes 6 days a week, including daily sessions for adults, the continuation of the original Saturday music school plus curriculum and enrichment services for local special schools. For over two decades The Music Man Project has provided accessible music education and performance opportunities to over 1000 children and adults around South Essex. Their students have broken a world record, twice performed at the London Palladium, led Music Man Project regions at the Royal Albert Hall, sung to the King and established ground-breaking national partnerships with the Salvation Army, Royal Marines and global marketing company, TEAM LEWIS. In 2016, Music Man Project Director, Dr Natalie Bradford launched the first UK satellite centre outside of Southend in Maldon. This was joined by a centre in Thurrock in 2022.
Music Man Trading Limited (MMP Headquarters)
Dr Natalie Bradford (Maldon)
We Are Creatives Thurrock (Thurrock)
David Stanley and Jenny Hitchcock (Southend)
Dr Natalie Bradford (Maldon)
Victoria Jarmyn (Thurrock)
Email: musicmanprojectsouthend@gmail.com
Mobile: 07786 864853 (South Essex classes) and 07852 268575 (Maldon class)
Regional Facebook
Adult Sessions (South Essex)
Time: Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10.00am-3.30pm (term time)
Term Dates 2023/24:
Autumn Term: Monday 4th September 2023 – Friday 15th December (Half Term 23rd October – 27th October)
Spring Term: Monday 8th January 2024 – Thursday 28th March (Half Term 19th February – 23rd February)
Summer Term: Monday 15th April 2024 – Friday 19th July 2024 (Half Term 27th May – 31st May) Bank Holiday 6th May
Venues:
Monday and Tuesday: Leigh-on-Sea Salvation Army, Glendale Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 2AR
Thursday: Benfleet Methodist Church, High Rd, Benfleet SS7 5LH
Friday: St Laurence Church Hall, Eastwoodbury Lane, Eastwood SS2 6UH
Cost: £30 per session (full day) or £15 per session (half day)
Adult Sessions (Maldon)
Time: Every Monday 10.30am-11.45am (term time)
Venue: URC Maldon, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex CM9 4PZ
Cost: £5 per session
Adult Sessions (Thurrock)
Time: Every Monday 10.00am-11.30am
Venue: The Community House, Sherfield Road, Grays RM17 6FJ
Cost: £5 per session
Children’s Music School (Southend, age 7-18)
Email musicmanprojectsouthend@gmail.com to book sessions.
Time: Every Saturday 9.00am-10.15am (term time – see dates below)
Venue (NEW): St Laurence Church Hall, Eastwoodbury Lane, Eastwood SS2 6UH
Session Dates 2023/24:
Autumn Term: September 9th (David), 16th (Jenny), 23rd (Jenny), 30th (Jenny), October 7th (David), 14th (David), November 4th (David), 11th (Jenny), 18th (David), December 2nd (Jenny), 9th (David)
Spring Term: January 13th (David – Royal Albert Hall full rehearsal 9.30am-12pm), 20th (Jenny), 27th (Jenny), February 3rd (David – Royal Albert Hall full rehearsal 9.30am-12pm), 10th (Jenny), March 2nd (RAH rehearsal full rehearsal 9.30am-12pm), 9th (RAH rehearsal full rehearsal 9.30am-12pm), 16th (RAH rehearsal full rehearsal 9.30am-12pm), 23rd (RAH rehearsal full rehearsal 9.30am-12pm), 6th April (RAH rehearsal full rehearsal 9.30am-12pm).
Cost: £5 per session – email musicmanprojectsouthend@gmail.com to book the children sessions
Kingsdown Special School
Every Wednesday – Curriculum Lessons, School Choir, School Orchestra, Assemblies
Glenwood Special School
Every Thursday Morning – Curriculum Lessons and Whole School Choir
