A Southend-founded charity is at the heart of a new international alliance promoting accessible music-making for people with learning disabilities.
The Music Man Project, created in 2000 by Southend musician and educator David Stanley, has partnered with Italian organisation AllegroModerato to launch the International Alliance of Accessible Music (IAAM).
The global initiative will unite inclusive music organisations worldwide, championing the right of people with learning disabilities to perform, create and enjoy music at the highest level.
Through shared performances, educational resources and international advocacy, the IAAM will highlight the talents of disabled musicians and showcase their work on some of the world’s most prestigious stages.
The alliance has already attracted members from Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East.
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Dame Penny Mordaunt, president of The Music Man Project, said: “This is an important step forward for inclusion around the world.
"I’m proud to back The Music Man Project and AllegroModerato.
"They bring people together through music and joy.
"Music can break down barriers and help build communities where everyone’s voice is heard and everyone’s talent can shine."
David Stanley BEM, founder and CEO of The Music Man Project, added: “The Alliance is a bold step forward in recognising music as a universal right.
"By working together, we can amplify our voices, share our expertise, and inspire new opportunities for performers with learning disabilities across borders."
The Music Man Project hopes the alliance will inspire more organisations to join, helping transform perceptions of disability and secure a more inclusive future for the arts.
Luca Baldan, vice-president of AllegroModerato, said: “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to accessibility, artistic excellence, and social impact.
"The IAAM gives us a platform to exchange ideas and show the world what our musicians can achieve.”
Other founding members include the Kean University/Community Access Unlimited Collaborative from New Jersey, which described joining IAAM as a commitment to ensuring music is a right, not a privilege, and SLOW LABEL in Japan, whose artistic director Yoshie Kris praised the project’s potential to bring diversity and harmony in a post-pandemic world.
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