David Stanley
An Emotional Freeman of the City!
On Thursday 20th May 2023, Southend Council bestowed on me the honour of Freeman of the City of Southend - the highest recognition a city...
top of page
Home: Welcome
THE MUSIC MAN BLOG
A global campaign for accessible music education and inspirational performance opportunities for all by David Stanley BEM
Home: Blog2
Search
David Stanley
- Jun 25
- 3 min
An Extraordinary Workshop at 10 Downing Street
Just a few years ago, ‘SEND Music Workshop’ meant children with special needs receiving instruction from school music teachers, local...
184 views0 comments
David Stanley
- Jun 1
- 4 min
Disability & Access Ambassador for Arts & Culture: Year 2 Update
In my second year as Disability and Access Ambassador for Arts and Culture, I continued to advocate for grass roots opportunities for...
154 views1 comment
David Stanley
- Apr 11
- 4 min
Thank you National Lottery and Thank you Michael Ball OBE!
As surprises go, receiving a special award from Musical Theatre legend, Michael Ball, in front of 12,000 people at the AO Arena, Manchester
462 views0 comments
David Stanley
- Apr 5
- 4 min
A Standing Ovation from The King!
Before the final chord has even been played, a wave of emotion sweeps the Hall. Led by The King, the audience of 5000 rise to their feet.
569 views0 comments
David Stanley
- Jan 20
- 8 min
The Story of San Diego and the MMP Global Ambassadors
Until this year, The Music Man Project’s international visits were restricted to tutoring new students overseas. Most were self-funded,...
904 views0 comments
David Stanley
- Dec 28, 2022
- 9 min
Review of 2022 - A Year of Collaborations
What an extraordinary year for The Music Man Project! Our remarkable musicians made the biggest impact I’ve seen in over 20 years of...
318 views2 comments
David Stanley
- Sep 28, 2022
- 10 min
Next steps for the SEND Music Curriculum in England
I was recently invited to deliver a Keynote Address at the Westminster Education Forum policy conference. The conference was entitled...
110 views1 comment
David Stanley
- Jun 27, 2022
- 3 min
Disability & Access Ambassador (Arts/Culture) Year One Update
In my first year as Disability and Access Ambassador for Arts and Culture I promoted grass roots opportunities for disabled people as...
163 views0 comments
David Stanley
- Jun 25, 2022
- 3 min
A National Plan for Music Education to help children and young people with SEND thrive
Last year I was invited to join a panel of advisors to help the Government produce their new National Plan for Music Education (NPME). It...
444 views0 comments
David Stanley
- Jun 21, 2022
- 4 min
My Video for the United Nations in New York
In November 2019 I travelled to New York to learn about music education and performance for people with learning disabilities in America....
115 views1 comment
David Stanley
- Feb 18, 2022
- 2 min
'Any Dream Will Do' for our Wendy and the incredible Lee Mead
It was a truly magical moment. The Music Man Project is all about making dreams come true - and any dream will do!
287 views1 comment
David Stanley
- Feb 18, 2022
- 2 min
When TV's Mr Motivator met The Music Man Project!
In my head I could hear Sir David telling me that TV coverage of this type was not something to pass over. "You've got to go for it".
148 views0 comments
David Stanley
- Feb 18, 2022
- 2 min
A Salvation Army Festive Return to the Royal Albert Hall
The performance was best summed up by the words of Sinitta who walked onto the stage as we left and proclaimed, “How do I follow that!?"
90 views0 comments
David Stanley
- Sep 19, 2021
- 3 min
Southend bids to become a city!!
Southend is an international beacon of disability potential, the first ever global exporter of accessible Arts and Culture.
114 views0 comments
David Stanley
- Sep 11, 2021
- 4 min
The UK Disability and Access Ambassador for Arts and Culture - An opportunity and a responsibility
Accessible performances have been a wonderful advancement but now is the time to add “performers” to the legacy of disability Arts.
185 views0 comments
David Stanley
- May 26, 2021
- 4 min
Sometimes it takes a crisis to reveal ignorance and prejudice
The coronavirus pandemic presented many challenges for the learning-disabled community. I have blogged about these issues and talked...
250 views0 comments
David Stanley
- Apr 19, 2021
- 6 min
My story so far...
In 1999, I taught music to a young man with Downs Syndrome called Tony. I did it out of compassion for one individual and it felt...
75 views0 comments
David Stanley
- Mar 5, 2021
- 4 min
The Music Man Project Radio Show!
From a modest podcast to a monthly radio show with the potential to reach thousands - all in the City which invented the Wireless!
78 views0 comments
David Stanley
- Jan 1, 2021
- 4 min
A New Year's Message of Peace and Hope
On 31st December 2020 it was officially announced that I am to receive an award from Her Majesty The Queen in the 2021 New Year Honours...
269 views1 comment
bottom of page