(Southend West) (Con): ...David
Stanley’s students recently performed alongside the Massed Bands
of His Majesty’s Royal Marines in the Mountbatten festival of
music at the Royal Albert Hall. A total of 15,000 people gave
them a standing ovation over three performances. One such
supporter was none other than His Majesty the King, who rose to
his feet to applaud these incredible musicians
It was a remarkable moment and testament to the power of music to
shine a light on a once forgotten society.
Quite rightly, in February this year, David Stanley received a
special recognition award from the National Lottery for his work
with the Music Man project. Everyone in Southend is incredibly
proud of his work and that of these incredible musicians with
Down syndrome who are achieving so much. Some will know that one
of their astonishing achievements was to come out with a
Christmas single, “Music is Magic”, which made the top 10—it may
have been at No. 10, but never mind. It was an amazing record,
featured on BBC1’s “Breakfast”, Sky News, ITV’s “Good Morning
Britain” and across national radio and press. It was officially
launched with a performance at the Painted Hall in Greenwich, and
the Prime Minister was presented with his own copy by the Leader
of the House. I took my team to Waterloo station where
the musicians were
performing. It was an incredible and joyous occasion to help them
and to sing with them there.
Not content with just storming the charts here in the UK, the
Music Man ambassadors—bandassadors—also stormed America on their
recent concert tour to San Diego, where they performed onboard
the iconic aircraft carrier the USS Midway. Their groundbreaking
collaboration with the Royal Marines connects elite
military musicians with
people with learning disabilities, through the universal language
of music. Last year, they also received four “yes” votes from the
celebrity judges of “Britain’s Got Talent”. Simon Cowell
described them as
“like drinking a glass of happiness”.
Watch this space.
I could go on about the project’s incredible musical success. As
I have said, it is the perfect example of “With Us Not For Us”.
The students are treated as fellow musicians and
enjoy the same incredible opportunities to express themselves and
share their talents. As a result, musicians with
Down syndrome are now role models for their community and global
ambassadors for the UK’s accessible arts and culture. David
Stanley himself says,
“Sometimes it feels as if I’m clinging on for the ride while they
go on and make history.”
