The Music Man Project/Salvation Army Partnership: Music and Faith in Action
- David Stanley
- Sep 22
- 8 min read
Updated: Oct 5
“Follow this up, Chris!”
Chris Stringer had barely settled into his new role as Learning Disability Inclusion Development Manager at the Salvation Army’s Territorial Headquarters in London when Lieutenant Colonel George Pilkington descended from the eighth floor to see him. Chris was eager to impress - full of ideas and optimism. But George wasn’t there for pleasantries. He came armed with a leaflet from The Music Man Project and a firm directive: “Follow this up, Chris!”
George Pilkington was no ordinary visitor. A legendary figure in the Salvation Army and a pillar of Leigh-on-Sea’s local corps - home to our Tuesday Music Man Project group - he carried both gravitas and urgency. And he wasn’t the sort of man you could say no to.
It was 2017. The Music Man Project had debuted at the London Palladium the year before, and I had helped launch our first satellite centre in Maldon. I’d even taken my service to South Africa. But I was restless for more, inspired by letters from parents desperate to bring The Music Man Project to their communities. I was still chasing the dream of the Royal Albert Hall and knew we needed a bigger following to fill it.
So, I dreamt up the phrase: “A Music Man Project in every county of England, in every country of the UK, and in every continent of the world.”
Despite encouragement from the Prime Minister five years earlier, I felt trapped beneath the glass ceiling of locality. People didn’t take me seriously. I remember their painful words:
“You can’t clone yourself, David”
“You risk losing what you’ve built in Southend”
"You’d be crazy to give your music ideas and expertise away for free!”
And most bruising of all:“
You’re both the best and worst thing about The Music Man Project, David.”
But I ignored the naysayers, just as I had when they said we’d never reach the Royal Albert Hall. Their advice spoke more of their fears than mine. I was beginning to understand the value of a thick skin, especially as jealousy began to swirl.
I had no blueprint for national expansion. No organisation. No colleagues. No budget. The Music Man Project wasn’t even a registered charity at that time. It was just me, plotting in my own time about how to reach more communities of disabled people with my music. With support from my employer at the time, Southend Mencap, I approached the national Royal Mencap - only to be told: “We don’t get involved with services.”
Unlike now, I had no government contacts. No Churchill Fellowship. No trustees. I couldn’t clone myself. I needed a miracle.
Then one day, while playing the piano at Leigh Salvation Army, it hit me. The Salvation Army has buildings. It has instruments. It has musicians and volunteers. Most of all, it has a mission to bring vulnerable people into the church. I shared my ambition to expand The Music Man Project across the UK with Lieutenant Colonel George Pilkington. Within days he was walking down those stairs at Territorial Headquarters to see Chris - my leaflet in his hand.
With faith, I waited…
The First Visit
We love visitors at The Music Man Project. Unlike traditional music therapy, our doors are always open and our musicians come alive when they see an audience. Over the years, our Friday group at St Laurence Church Hall has welcomed a remarkable array of guests: Mr Motivator, Lee Mead, Michael Ball, the Director of Music at the Royal Marines, TV crews and politicians. Each visit brings joy, pride, and a sense of celebration.
Chris Stringer and his two colleagues were greeted with the same infectious enthusiasm. The smiles, the music, the sheer energy of our performers said more than a million of my words ever could. During a break, we gathered in the back hall. I confidently recited the words I’d rehearsed for weeks:
“Every Salvation Army church has sections who perform during the service: the band, the choir, the singing company of children. Where are the performers with learning disabilities? Why can’t they contribute to worship in the same way? They could offer so much if given the right encouragement, repertoire, and opportunity.”
Chris listened. Encouraged by George Pilkington, he immediately saw the potential. The Salvation Army’s mission was to bring people into the church, not just on Sundays but throughout the week. The Music Man Project offered a joyful, inclusive solution for the learning-disabled community.
That moment marked the beginning of our friendship and the birth of our partnership. Chris offered to find Salvation Army Corps that might like to run a Music Man Project. The Music Man Project and The Salvation Army UK have been thriving together ever since.
Eight Years On
Eight years on from George Pilkington’s famous descent from the eighth floor, I reflect on a thriving partnership that has delivered so much for both parties. What began as a leap of faith has blossomed into a movement of music, inclusion, and joy. Here’s a brief overview of our shared achievements:
1. Workshops and Performances
Our flagship collaboration has been the nationwide launch of The Music Man Project through immersive workshops. Six global ambassadors introduce our repertoire to new communities of learning-disabled children and adults. After singing, signing, playing, and dancing with our ambassadors, attendees often ask, “Can we do it all again next week?”
Chris provides instruments, and together we support new regional directors to lead their own classes. We’ve visited 22 towns and cities across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Of our 16 regional Music Man Projects, 9 are now proudly hosted by Salvation Army churches:
2. Concert Showcase at Regent Hall Salvation Army, London
One of our first concerts in a Salvation Army building was at Regent Hall in Oxford Street.
3. Salvation Army Fanfare Opens Music is Magic Debut – Royal Albert Hall
In a stirring tribute to our partnership, a Salvation Army fanfare opened our debut Music is Magic concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
4. Guest Appearance – Salvation Army Christmas Spectacular
The Music Man Project Ambassadors performed alongside the International Staff Band and Songsters. We were immediately followed by pop legend Sinitta, who exclaimed, “How do I follow that!”
5. Enabled Inclusive Worship Programme
We’re proud contributors to the Enabled Inclusive Worship Programme, with appearances at summer schools, online sessions during COVID, festive videos and activity days nationwide.
6. New York – Churchill Fellowship
During my Churchill Fellowship in 2019, I delivered Music Man Project sessions for disabled residents of Salvation Army community homes in New York for free. I also presented to church leaders and played the piano for the Greater New York Division’s Thanksgiving lunch for the homeless.
7. An Original Song for SAFE
Before Enabled, inclusive provision at the Salvation Army was called “SAFE.” I was honoured to compose an anthem for the 50th anniversary in 2018, which was then performed at their summer school and other events.
8. Music is Magic at the Royal Albert Hall – Massed Concerts
Salvation Army Music Man Projects featured in our massed Royal Albert Hall concerts, showcasing hundreds of musicians with learning disabilities to thousands of people. The 2024 concert was supported by the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines, choirs, and celebrity performers. We look forward to another production in 2027.
9. The Headquarters of the Music Man Project Headquarters!
As well as running their own Music Man Projects directly, some of our other regional projects hire Salvation Army buildings for their teaching sessions - including my original headquarters in Southend. With inspirational support from officers Major Rob Davis and Captain Clare Davis, Leigh-on-Sea corps has become the headquarters of the headquarters, hosting 2 full days of Music Man Project teaching every week, our national annual summer school and numerous filming days with ITV's Good Morning Britain - including a live broadcast on Christmas Eve!
Why It Works
Trust at the Core
At the heart of our partnership lies trust. I usually license my music, resources, branding, and performance opportunities to third-party organisations under a not-for-profit franchise agreement. But with the Salvation Army, this wasn’t necessary. I trust them to uphold my ideals of music education leading to performance, and I knew our collaboration would only elevate the reputation of The Music Man Project.
A Shared Understanding
As a teenager, I performed piano concerts at over-60s clubs for Salvation Army churches across Essex and East London. I met my wife at Leigh Salvation Army and eventually left my organist role at an Anglican Church to join her and our young family as an adherent member. This gave me a deep insight into the Salvation Army’s music, traditions and vision - vital in forging the collaboration between the sacred (Salvation Army Church) and the secular (The Music Man Project charity).
No Targets, No Deadlines, No Licence Cost, No Contracts - No Limits!
Although I was eager for the partnership to succeed, I set no targets or deadlines. I didn’t want anyone to feel pressured into starting a Music Man Project. It had to come from personal motivation. This grassroots approach mirrored my own journey. I simply wanted to provide the example, the opportunity, and the resources to make a difference. I realised early on that if I wanted to reach every county in England, every country in the UK, and every continent in the world, I had to let go of any financial expectations. This cause was about helping vulnerable people and inspiring others to replicate my original service. Like my international trips, I travelled the UK showing people how to do it for free. I couldn’t offer wages or cover costs for instruments or venue hire, but I could offer a proven model and unwavering support.
In return for our branding, resources, original music and performance opportunities, each new Music Man Project would run a regular programme of accessible music-making, with my repertoire and standardised instruments. I introduced the concept of Regional Partner Organisations (RPOs) who would operate independently in ways that suited their communities. The national charity would mentor, showcase, and create unique performance opportunities. This ethos of limitless possibilities shaped every interaction. Chris and I embraced every opportunity with positivity, hope, and high expectations for the communities we serve.
The Power of Global Ambassadors (and a Premier Inn Breakfast!)
My trump card is the Music Man Project Global Ambassadors. These remarkable musicians are willing to travel anywhere in the world with me, in their own time, to deliver workshops and launch new projects. Even if it means journeying thousands of miles to teach just a handful of people, they teach, they entertain and they inspire. For the Salvation Army, they show church leaders, volunteers, and their learning-disabled communities what's possible. With awards, TV appearances, and performances around the world, they became our role models - living proof of The Music Man Project’s impact and potential.
The Salvation Army kindly fund the ambassadors to visit corps around the country to help launch new centres. These trips have become legendary, bringing us together in a shared mission to inspire people with our message of music and faith. Their journeys are fuelled by a hearty Premier Inn breakfast. You wouldn’t believe how much some of them can eat!
I'm incredibly proud that our partnership has enabled thousands of children and adults with learning disabilities to access life-changing opportunities in music - all built on trust, faith, accessibility, and high expectations. Thank you to everyone at the Salvation Army for believing in my vision.
I'll let this video show you what Lieutenant Colonel George Pilkington thinks about the partnership!
And thank you, Chris for following it up!
At our next major London production, a sea of red polo shirts will rise among the hundreds of Music Man Project musicians performing. These are Salvation Army musicians, proudly wearing The Music Man Project logo on the front and the Salvation Army crest on the sleeve. As they sing their hearts out to thousands at one of the world’s most iconic venues, I can’t imagine a more heartwarming symbol of our partnership.
I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure our unique collaboration shines for decades to come.
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