Thank God for the Salvation Army!

06/10/20 • 40 min

Episode 12 of The Music Man Project Podcast, presented by founder and CEO of The Music Man Project charity, David Stanley.
Since 2017 The Music Man Project has worked in partnership with the Salvation Army. The Music Man Project UK Ambassadors have travelled thousands of miles around the country, including flights to Scotland and Northern Ireland to deliver workshops and performances, and to launch new regional Music Man Projects together.
The Music Man Project is a great big musical family and people often comment on the fellowship, joy, love, kindness and general sense of community at our teaching sessions. It is incredibly fitting that the Salvation Army, with its tradition of music and service is working with us to extend our music to an often-forgotten society of people. The Salvation Army opened our Royal Albert Hall debut in 2019 with a special fanfare and we dedicated our performance of Kumbaya to our partnership.

This week's guest is Chris Stringer – Disability Inclusion Development Manager at the Salvation Army. Chris talks about the origins of the partnership and his admiration for the Music Man Project UK Ambassadors. He also chooses his favourite Music Man Project song: "Peace and Hope".
We also hear from the Music Man Project/Salvation Army workshop in Wrexham, recorded just before the coronavirus lockdown.

The world record-breaking Music Man Project provides award-winning accessible music education and performance opportunities for children and adults with learning disabilities across the UK and around the world. These remarkable musicians have performed at the Royal College of Music, the London Palladium and the Royal Albert Hall.
Every podcast includes news, music, interviews and lots of other exciting features and surprises. It celebrates the achievements of all people with learning disabilities from around the world.
To find out more visit www.themusicmanproject.com, follow "The Music Man Project UK" on Facebook, subscribe to David Stanley's blog at www.themusicmanblog.com and subscribe to The Music Man Project's YouTube channel.
Devised and presented by David Stanley
Produced by Jon Webber
The Music Man Project, charity no. 1188041
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Previous Episode

Ruby Sparrow

Episode 11 of The Music Man Project Podcast, presented by founder and CEO of The Music Man Project charity, David Stanley.
A personal message from David:
I always thought the secret of The Music Man Project was to keep it purely about the Music. I never had any training in disabilities, syndromes, behaviours, medication, social care or even clinical Music Therapy. Music education for its’ own sake remains vitally important but, as the years go by, it is clear that this mini musical empire I created all those years ago is incredibly important for families on a far deeper level than just musical achievement. This podcast can play an even greater role in sharing advice, supporting families in hours of need and being there for them as they and their children get older. I adore my students and their families, and I am continually astounded by their resilience, determination and demonstration of love in all its many forms over a lifetime.

A case in point is this week’s guest, Laura Sparrow. Laura is the mother of Southend Mencap Music School student Ruby, who has Rett syndrome. Laura talks movingly about caring for her daughter, especially during this pressure-cooker period of lockdown.

Next Episode

Margaret Rimmer

Episode 13 of The Music Man Project Podcast, presented by founder and CEO of The Music Man Project charity, David Stanley.
This week's guest is Margaret Rimmer, inspirational retired Headteacher of Kingsdown Special School. Margaret was vital to the development of The Music Man Project. She wanted to make Kingsdown “a musical school” and engaged The Music Man Project to help her embed music across the curriculum, to play a central role in the life of her pupils and to support their basic skill development. Margaret’s legacy lives on in the music teaching, the school choir, orchestra and assemblies. Her pupils performed with The Music Man Project at the London Palladium and in concerts, fundraising events and competitions.