Southend charity aims for Christmas no. 1 with single in memory of Sir David Amess
The Music Man have dedicated the song to the late MP, Sir David Amess, who was a patron for 20 years
An Essex charity is releasing a Christmas single today - in honour of late Southend West MP Sir David Amess.
The Music Man Project have teamed up with the Royal Marines band on 'Music is Magic' - and they're bidding for Christmas number one.
The Music Man Project is an international music education charity, that works to give those with learning difficulties an opportunity to reach their full musical potential.
With the help of mentors, the children and adults hone their craft before getting the chance to perform in front of packed out audiences.
To continue their work, the charity have released a new song, entitled 'Music Is Magic' - with all proceeds going to help support learning-disabled people across the UK.
The track is available to download today, and founder, Dave Stanley, is very excited: "Music is magic. It's the universal language that brings people together. We're working with elite military musicians and yet the music acts as a leveller, everyone is the same."
Since teaming up with the charity, Director of Music at the Royal Marines, Sam Hairsign, has been blown away by the impact Stanley's work has had.
He said "It shows what music can do, the power of music, it has the ability to inspire everyone. It can help you feel joy, control concentration, build communities and bring people together.
"It's just wonderful to work with such brilliant ambassadors, who show what people with learning disabilities can do."
"I think this is one of the most meaningful things I can remember doing, because of the inspiration the Music Man Project give to everyone they come into contact with, including us. Every minute we've spent with the charity, we've had a smile on our faces."
Hairsign, who enjoyed a brief cameo in the music video, added that the experience has given him a brand new perspective.
"It's a real feelgood collaboration, and when you're doing it as a career, you're always looking to the next thing. But this reminded us why we do it, because we love music."
The song has an extra-special meaning, as it's dedicated to Sir David Amess, a supporter of the charity, who was stabbed to death during a constituency surgery at Belfair's Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on October 15, 2021.
Through his endorsement, Stanley has changed the life of so many children and adults, including David Kater.
David is one of the musicians involved with the charity and the song: "I started with the Music Man project in 2013. I love what they're doing, they show other people what we can do. They show that we've learnt skills and instruments and I can conduct now too."