Within months of their triumph at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Canada, The Music Man Project Global Ambassadors flew to Milan for a ground-breaking joint concert with our Italian equivalent ‘AllegroModerato’. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between our two charities and another milestone in my 25-year long campaign to promote accessible music education and performance.
But how did it happen?
TEAM LEWIS Conference at Tate Britain, London, UK 13th July 2022
The atmosphere is electric as The Music Man Project performs to employees of global media company, TEAM LEWIS as part of their annual international conference in London. Their appearance is a roaring success. Italian Martina Palmeri watches on with tears in her eyes, inspired. She seeks out a similar charity closer to home. She discovers AllegroModerato in Milan.
Two years and two months later, I guided my musicians onto the stage at the historic Teatro Lirico Giorgio Gaber in the heart of Milan. A TEAM LEWIS concert trailer announced our arrival.
Music is Magic in Milan at Teatro Lirico Giorgio Gaber, Milan, Italy 15th September 2024
As the concert concludes, I embrace Luca Baldan, the inspirational co-founder of AllegroModerato, amid the exuberant cheers of "bravissimo!" resounding through the crowded auditorium of the historic Teatro Lirico in Milan. Through the universal language of music, we’ve shown that performers with learning disabilities from different countries and cultures can achieve extraordinary things when they join together.
Our concert was the climax of a whirlwind four-day adventure which included an orchestra workshop, two rehearsals, Da Vinci’s Last Supper and a spontaneous performance at a pizza restaurant once frequented by the Pope!
Milan is renowned for its beautiful people, architecture, history, art, and music. However, its true hidden gem is AllegroModerato.
Not since I visited Daniel’s Music Foundation in New York for my Churchill Fellowship had I felt such a deep connection with another charity, with another leader. In Luca I found the same passion for teaching music to people with special needs that’s fuelled my ambition for decades. Like me, he bestows music education and performance for its own sake rather than corrective, clinical Music Therapy. He cares for each individual with humour and sensitivity but with the highest expectation and a drive to share his musicality with this once forgotten community. We’re also the same age, with the same-aged children. We’re both surrounded by a wonderful team but feel a deep sense of personal responsibility for those we lead to keep providing opportunities for us all to shine.
Our concert featured The Music Man Project Songbook and AllegroModerato’s repertoire. We had our own sections, but mainly performed together. The performance was the epitome of disability-led inclusion with a magnificent stage band and local youth wind band supporting our musicians. Two Italian comedians compered the concert, and we were introduced by national celebrity “Elio”, a much-loved singer, actor, comedian and judge of Italy’s Got Talent and the Italian X Factor. I improvised a piano accompaniment for Elio’s opening monologues, with no idea what he was saying! My face says it all!
We rehearsed at AllegroModerato’s headquarters. As with New York’s Daniel’s Music Foundation, their facility filled me with admiration and a little envy. A large room housed their choir and orchestra. It was brimming with musical instruments - violins, cellos, guitars and a host of percussion and drum kits. The walls proudly displayed photos of past achievements. A gleaming black grand piano posed majestically in the centre. We were treated to an orchestra concert and workshop by Luca and his inspirational colleague and conductor, Pinuccia Gelosa. We learnt how they adapt orchestral repertoire for people with disabilities.
We then rehearsed each others choral repertoire in preparation for the concert. Their favourite Music Man song was the expressive ‘Join Together’ and our favourite AllergoModerato song was the catchy and rhymic 'Kusimama'. It was an uplifting exchange of music, culture, skills and experiences. We were all blown away by the talent and professionalism on display. We couldn't wait to perform together.
Our world-renowned volunteer ambassadors faced new challenges in Italy: an intense 3 ½ day schedule, new musical repertoire in a different language and working with musicians with disabilities from a different country. They often looked exhausted behind the scenes but always rose to the occasion when required. Our drummer Daniel also played for the entire show, brilliantly guided by Luca on the other drum kit.
Reflecting on the experience, they handled everything with ease. They embodied the epitome of professionalism and I couldn't be more proud of them. They instilled pride in their nation.
A specific aspect of The Music Man Project's performance that profoundly impacted everyone was their showmanship. Their limitless energy, self-assurance, physical presence, sense of humor, and unique personality were truly evident. Years of performing to full houses at the London Palladium and Royal Albert Hall, making live TV appearances, touring the UK with the Royal Marines, and visiting Canada and America all culminated in this moment for the ambassadors. Their charisma transcended the language barrier.
The Municipality of Milan sponsored the concert. Their City Counsellor for Welfare, Lamberto Bertole posted on social media:
“I hope these images can convey the energy and emotions of Music is Magic, the beautiful concert of The Music Man Project UK and AllegroModerato yesterday evening at Teatro Lirico Giorgio Gaber . Congratulations to all the musicians and to those who accompanied them and prepared for this very important moment. A recognition to an important and high-quality work of inclusion.”
Music Man Project patron, Anna Firth supported us for the weekend:
“The Music Man Project completely lit up the stage and had everyone on their feet, dancing and singing along, despite the language barrier, in no time... The Music Man Project have a unique ability to spread joy and love, through music, around the globe. They are the very embodiment that disability is no barrier to ambition.”
Anna, joined by Music Man Project trustee Julie Cushion and my friend and long-time supporter Gill Lee, who both served our late president Sir David Amess, made a visit to the Duomo Cathedral to light a candle and say a prayer in his memory. I was profoundly moved by this act. Sir David would have been extraordinarily proud of us all.
The success of the event owes much to the support of Chris Lewis, Samuel Dean, and the TEAM LEWIS Foundation. They facilitated the partnership, created promotional materials, and organized our flights, accommodations, catering, and transportation. A special thank you to Michela from the Milan office. This extraordinary organisation aids numerous charities globally, enhancing leadership in individuals like Luca and me, and making the world a better place, one cause at a time.
On the Music Man Project side, ambassador parents Sue and Karen worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly. Our official photographer and bassist, Jon Webber, captured these incredible images. Vasco Dell'Oro of AllegroModerato, equally talented, also produced a collection of breathtaking photographs.
Luca was exhausted by the end of the concert. I knew this feeling well. He devised the event, formulated the programme, rehearsed the music, invited the guests, applied for funding, posted on social media, played the drums, packed away the instruments and drove the van! He also looked after 22 visitors from the UK. Luca is an example of the type of leader Chris Lewis and Inez Robinson-Odem describe in their book “The Silent Rebellion”. I was proud to present Luca with a copy during our rehearsal.
My experience in Milan was yet another unforgettable moment in my Music Man Project journey. Beholding Da Vinci's The Last Supper, delighting patrons in a renowned pizza eatery, accompanying a national icon despite not understanding his words, and sharing the stage with illustrious opera singers and actors from history—as well as the infamous Fascist Dictator, Mussolini—made for a typical Music Man Project adventure!
Music in Magic in Milan was more than just a concert. It was the first international collaboration between two disability music charities from different countries. It was our first step towards an International Alliance of Accessible Music, a worldwide network of SEND music providers. Although both charities are hugely impactful on their own, we learnt that working in partnership with like-minded organisations can significantly broaden our influence.
Thank you Luca and AllegroModerato. Thank you TEAM LEWIS. Thank you Milano!
Where will The Music Man Project go next to spread their joy and hope? Watch this space!
David Stanley BEM
Official photos by Jon Webber and Vasco Dell'Oro.
Wonderful