Founder of disabled music project to take performers to Broadway in memory of murdered MP Sir David Amess

A man who founded a music project for disabled people is taking his performers to Broadway in memory of the charity’s president, murdered MP Sir David Amess, so that he is “remembered” for his advocacy rather than the “tragic circumstances of his death”.

Sir David Amess, a 69-year-old father of five who served as MP for Southend West for 38 years from 1997, was stabbed to death while meeting constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on October 15 2021. His killer, Ali Harbi Ali, was found guilty of murder and handed a whole-life prison term at the Old Bailey in 2022.

Sir David was the president of David Stanley’s Music Man Project – a group for people with disabilities ranging from autism to Down syndrome – and encouraged the group to take their show to Broadway.

At age 18, David Stanley played I Am The Music Man on piano for a young man with Down syndrome, which sparked a lifelong mission to teach music to people with disabilities and “recreate that moment” on “international stages”.

After training as a classical musician, he taught disabled people every Saturday until, in 2012, he left his day job as a deputy head teacher to grow the Music Man Project full time.

There are now over 20 Music Man Projects across the UK, with performances worldwide, a Guinness World Record, a top 10 iTunes charity single recorded with His Majesty’s Bands of the Royal Marines, performances in front of members of the Royal Family, and even a collaboration singing with Michael Ball.

At a Royal Albert Hall gig, in 2019, the charity’s then-president, MP Sir David Amess, stood up and said their “next stop” should be Broadway.

After Sir David Amess was murdered in 2021 David became even more determined to make his dream a reality.

David, now 48, has secured a venue in New York for October this year, but estimates it will cost £150,000 including travel costs, so he is currently fundraising.

David, who lives in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, with his wife Sarah, 45, told PA Real Life: “Sir David Amess stood up at our Royal Albert Hall debut and said: ‘You’ve conquered the London Palladium. You’ve taken the whole Albert Hall by storm. The next stop is Broadway.’

“So, that became our dream.

“We performed at his funeral and I couldn’t get it out of my head that I’d made this promise.

“I want him to be remembered for championing people with disabilities – not for the tragic circumstances of his death.”

At age 18, David – who had always had a passion for music – was keen to do some voluntary work to “look good on his CV”.

Through a friend of a friend, he met Tony, a young man with Down syndrome and decided to play the piano for him, starting with I Am The Music Man, a 1989 track by Black Lace.

This was followed by a rendition of The Twelve Days Of Christmas – Tony was in “fits of laughter” as it was July, and asked for the song to be played dozens of times.

“It was a pivotal moment that changed my life forever,” David said.

“Before that, I had no experience of disability, but it sowed the seed for a love of communicating through music and using it to inspire people.

“I wanted to recreate that moment with Tony on the biggest international stages.”

David went on to become a classically trained musician and, over the years, performed in care homes and for stroke survivors, saying he “loved bringing joy to more vulnerable people”.

He continued teaching Tony music and approached a local charity to find others with disabilities who might also enjoy it.

For the next 12 years, David hosted group classes every Saturday morning, while also developing his career as a teacher in a mainstream secondary school, eventually becoming a deputy headteacher.

By 2012, he had around 50 music students – with disabilities ranging from autism to Down syndrome – and had staged several local concerts.

At that point, he began to re-evaluate his career and decided to give up his “secure job and pension” to follow his passion and run the Music Man Project full-time.

Over the following years, it continued to grow, with daily classes, increasing numbers of students, and him registering the Music Man Project as a charity.

David’s students perform original songs written by him, often designed to be memorable and easy to follow, as many of his students have learning disabilities.

“The sessions are not therapy – I’m not trying to fix anyone,” he said.

“I want them to improve and become purposeful musicians in their community.

“Some of my lyrics are, ‘Have you ever stopped to think why you were put on the earth? What role you play right here today?’

“Suddenly, you have disabled people challenging the misconception that they can’t teach us something or express powerful emotions.”

The group also visits mainstream primary schools to deliver music workshops.

“A lot of the children haven’t met disabled people before,” he said.

“By the end of the performance, they want their autographs – they think they’re rock stars.

“I hope that in ten years’ time, when those children are older, they’ll approach disabled people with kindness – shaking their hand and saying hello.”

Wendy Wilson, one of the musicians at the Music Man Project, said: “Music Man gives me confidence, I have been to some amazing places and performed with some amazing people.

“I like learning all the instruments and new songs, it is like a big family, we all help each other.”

From the beginning, MP Sir David Amess was a strong supporter of David’s work and became the charity’s president, with the pair developing a close friendship over the years.

David and his students have since performed around the world, including South Africa, India, Nepal, the USA and the Philippines, as well as at The Mountbatten Festival of Music, receiving a standing ovation from the King.

He said: “Tony performed in front of the King and it shows how far we’ve come – we want to break through these glass ceilings and inspire others.”

They have also performed at the London Palladium in 2015 and 2017.

During their 2017 show, they broke a Guinness World Record for the largest triangle ensemble, with 1,521 participants including Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.

They performed at the Royal Albert Hall in 2019 and 2024 too, collaborating with Michael Ball.

At their Royal Albert Hall debut, Sir David Amess stood up and said the group’s next goal should be Broadway.

After Sir David Amess was murdered on October 15 2021 in a terrorist attack, David became even more determined to reach Broadway and grow the charity internationally.

The Music Man Project is now a founding member of the International Alliance of Accessible Music, to help reverse perceptions of disability through music education and performance across the globe.

David has since secured a venue for October 7 2026 at The Town Hall, New York.

He has titled the show Music is Magic, which will tell the story of the Music Man Project’s journey, including Sir David Amess’ death.

“We’ll also pay tribute to members we’ve lost,” he added.

“Sadly, we’ve lost many students due to their conditions – one just recently was diagnosed with dementia and died very quickly.”

The group is also aiming to perform at the UN during their trip to help spread their “message of peace”.

While in New York, Harry Styles will be performing at Madison Square Garden, and several group members are “superfans” – they hope he will hear about their show and make a guest appearance.

“Our musicians are the best in class – they are the Harry Styles of the learning disability community!” David said.

However, David estimates the trip, including flights and accommodation, will cost £150,000, which the charity is raising from scratch.

“Every step of the way has been incredibly difficult and often lonely,” he said.

“There’s pressure on me and on my family.

“I have to keep everyone else positive, because many of our musicians wouldn’t understand if I came in feeling upset.

“Sometimes I forget to talk about how hard it can be – it makes me emotional just thinking about it.”

Reflecting on the journey, David said: “All of this feels extraordinary. I’ve always been a very determined person and wanted to leave my mark – to create a legacy.

“I could never have imagined where this would lead.

“It makes me incredibly proud, but I also feel a sense of responsibility.

“We need to ensure this isn’t just a fleeting moment – it’s important to record this work so others don’t have to spend 20 years battling to prove its worth.”

David is “not stopping there” – his next dream is to perform in Las Vegas

To donate to their fundraiser, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/music-is-magic-on-broadway.

For more information, visit: themusicmanproject.com and www.thetownhall.org/event/music-is-magic-on-broadway-the-story-of-the-music-man-project.