A music group with learning disabilities received a standing ovation as they fulfilled a dream of the late MP Sir David Amess.

The Music Man Project is a charity based in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, that teaches children and adults with learning disabilities to sing, sign and play original music.

They have performed for the King, at the Royal Albert Hall and London Palladium, but a trip to perform in New York was the dream of their former president and Southend West MP Amess before he was murdered in 2021.

The project’s founder David Stanley said: “Following his death, I just made it my mission to fulfil that promise, really, in his memory.”

“So that we remember Sir David for all of the work he did for championing people with learning disabilities in Southend, and then obviously across the country, through the Music Man Project’s expansion.”

Stanley, who wrote, produced and featured in the show, paid a tribute to Amess during the performance.

With a crack in his voice, he spoke into a megaphone – one of Amess’ signature accessories on the political campaign trail – the words: “We promised we’d get them to the Broadway and we did it my friend, we did it.”

The morning after, Stanley told the BBC he was “exhausted” and “overwhelmed with emotion”.

“We got a brilliant standing ovation,” he said.

“It’s nothing short of what the students deserved.

“To be fair though, they’ve got a standing ovation from the King at the Royal Albert Hall before, so this was expected really with something like this.”

They performed at the Town Hall in New York with a full house of almost 1,500 people, and a venue known for its historic significance.

It was founded in 1921 by suffragists and one of the only venues in New York to openly welcome Black artists.

Stanley said his group were “perfect” and “incredible” on the night.

He said it proved what he has always said about people with learning difficulties.

“We give them the opportunities and you believe in them and you have high expectations of what they can achieve, then they will always come through, they surprise you.

“Decades ago we would have hidden certain parts of society away, now they’re performing on Broadway.”

Their performance told the story of the group’s journey, from its beginnings 27 years ago to where they are now with 200 members.

Stanley told BBC Essex presenter Sonia Watson that their visit would also include a performance at the United Nations.

“I get to make a speech at the UN. So it’s full of pinch me moments this tour.”

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