Royal Marines Band and HMS Collingwood reach No 10 in music charts with charity single from learning disability choir honouring late patron Sir David Amess MP

Music Man Project performers pose with the Royal Marine musicians.

The Southend-based disabled musical group, The Music Man Project, has seen their track, ‘Music Is Magic’, rocket to number 10 on the iTunes Download chart.

The single has been released in memory of Sir David, who supported the music group for more than 20 years before his murder in October 2021.

All proceeds from the single will help support learning-disabled people across the UK.

The Royal Marines Band being conducted during the recording of the single.

The Royal Marines Band, which rehearsed with the singers at HMS Collingwood throughout the year, could not be prouder of the ‘unique’ collaboration, according to Lieutenant Colonel Jason Burcham, commanding officer of the Royal Marines Band Service.

He said: ‘Each performer radiates warmth, energy, and positivity. They are also incredibly talented musicians.

‘Rehearsing and recording this single was a wonderful experience. Everyone at the Royal Marines Band Service looks forward to creating magic this Christmas with The Music Man Project.’

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Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt, who has helped support the project in the wake of colleague Sir David’s death, called on city residents to support the single.

She said: ‘I want to thank the Royal Marines, HMS Collingwood an others from Portsmouth who have helped produce this single. It will do so much good across the whole country. It would be amazing if we got to be the Christmas number one. Please help them get there.’

In 2019, Sir David helped the Music Man Project organise an event in which 200 children with learning disabilities played at the Royal Albert Hall in front of a crowd of 3,000 people.

The project’s founder, David Stanley, said: ‘The single celebrates the power of music to bring people together and transform lives, no matter their background.

‘I hope our song can inspire people to put their differences aside this holiday season. Whilst our aim is to get the single to Christmas number one, showing the world that magic can happen when we work together is more important.

‘Creating unity is the main aim of our collaboration with The Royal Marines Band Service.’