Musical Gladiators: An Unforgettable Night in Rome

It is 11pm in Rome on Friday 12th December 2025 and history is about to be made. The Music Man Project Global Ambassadors dance as they wait backstage at Teatro India – once a bustling soap factory in the heart of Italy’s capital. Thirteen months of meetings, rehearsals, recordings and visits have led to this moment. Ten musicians with learning disabilities from the UK are about to perform their first rock concert, side by side with Italian band 'Scooppiati', at a time when they would all usually be tucked up in bed.

The Global Ambassadors take a deep breath as the audience swells with anticipation. A promo video announces their arrival on stage. This night was more than a concert — it was another massive step on our global journey.

From South Africa’s townships to India’s bustling cities, from the mountains of Nepal to the shores of the Philippines and across to America, I’ve carried The Music Man Project’s message of accessible music around the world. My students have lit up stages in San Diego, Nova Scotia, Milan — and now, wonderfully, in Rome. The language of music needs no translation. Wherever we go, one truth rings out with joy: Music is Magic, everywhere in the world.

Our debut in the Eternal City followed the release of Best Life with Rome‑based ‘Scooppiati Diversamente Band’. Our collaboration quickly grew into a friendship, and it wasn’t long before we planned a joint concert. Best Life in Rome would become the first major event since launching the International Alliance of Accessible Music, founded by The Music Man Project together with our Milan partners, ‘AllegroModerato’.

Every global adventure presents different challenges for my role‑model musicians with learning difficulties — and each one reveals something extraordinary about their courage, resilience and joy. Every time they rise to the challenge. Every time they exceed my expectations. Every time they leave me questioning the term “learning disability” altogether. These wonderful individuals are achieving more than most people could ever dream of.

The final performance is the tip of the iceberg. The Ambassadors have already spent three days in Rome, hosted by the incredible Peppe Sallis of Scooppiati. We gave a press conference to thank our Rome sponsors, we rehearsed, we toured Rome’s ancient sites… and we ate lots of food! The Italians certainly know how to make a meal out of a meal!

Scooppiati Diversamente Band are a revelation. Their rock arrangements breathed fresh air into my music, and their performers inspired my students to up their level. This is why we established the International Alliance of Accessible Music – to connect and enhance accessible arts and culture worldwide. Peppe plays bass and is joined by Andrea on guitar, Daniele on drums and Giammario on keyboards. Their lead singer is Ketty. The chemistry between the band and my students is beautiful to witness.

Our drummer Dan performed better than I had ever seen him, no doubt inspired by his hilarious namesake, Daniele, from Scooppiati.

Their lead singer, Ketty, inspired our soloists to sing with more confidence and their duets together were magical.

Our bass player, Jon Webber, shared the playing with Peppe and they attempted a duet on the same instrument!

For me, I was blown away by the musicality and kindness of their keyboard player, Giammario. His ability to improvise and play my music by ear was incredible.

The two official photographers even bonded over their camera lenses!

Everywhere you looked, the UK and Italian counterparts were supporting each other, lifting their talents to new heights.

While we all had a wonderful time and made beautiful memories to take home (one parent was convinced she saw Steven Spielberg walking into a train station!), these adventures are intense, exhausting and challenging. They require commitment, patience and determination. Above all they require experience. My students have spent the last 10 years spreading The Music Man Project across the UK and around the world. In Rome, that knowledge showed. I thank the relatives who accompanied their ambassadors. Without their support we would not be able to achieve these milestones together.

It is 12am in Rome on Saturday 13th December 2025. The concert is a spectacular success. Despite the late hour, the global ambassadors sing, play and dance their hearts out, thrilling the adoring Italian crowd. Their performances bring tears. Daniel’s bottom, Clare’s feather boa, Chris’s wiggle and all the dancing bring hysterical laughter. Most special of all are the joint rock Music Man songs we perform together – as one global family.  

We look up at the standing ovation filling the auditorium and take it all in. It wasn’t quite the Colosseum but for one night in Rome the Global Ambassadors became Musical Gladiators!