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The City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra partners with The Music Man Project to record virtual lockdown-themed song

09:43, 04 March 2021

updated: 09:59, 04 March 2021

A music education service for people with learning disabilities has produced a song with a Kent orchestra which will debut tomorrow.

The Music Man Project and The City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra will share "Join Together" at noon on Friday via Youtube and Facebook.

Members of The Music Man Project from across the UK sent in their clips for the song. Picture: The Music Man Project
Members of The Music Man Project from across the UK sent in their clips for the song. Picture: The Music Man Project

The song, written especially for the charity, is based on the trials and tribulations people have faced during the pandemic.

Charity members from across the UK filmed themselves singing or playing their individual parts while isolating at home.

The project is an accessible music education service for people with learning disabilities, offering opportunities for learning, singing, playing, and performing together.

Director of The Music Man Project, Sarah Mann, said: "Lockdown has been difficult for everyone, but perhaps even more so for people with learning disabilities.

"A lot of our performers have had to face the crisis alone, cut off from family, friends, and all their familiar structures and routines.

The City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra recorded their parts from home. Picture: The Music Man Project
The City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra recorded their parts from home. Picture: The Music Man Project

"We've had to find new ways to help our performers stay connected.

"During this latest lockdown we decided to open our weekly Kent Zoom sessions to others, and it's been a great way to connect with performers from all around the country.

"We have an average of 48 performers that attend each week and we've made lots of new friends.

"It seemed only natural then to invite our regional partners to take part in this orchestral project with us."

Sian Ford, a parent of one of the performers, said: "The project has been amazing during the period of lockdown.

'The joy is so wonderful to see in all the members regardless of their disabilities and situation they are in.'

"My autistic daughter, who also has learning difficulties, has lost all her routines.

"The Music Man Project has been amazing in providing Zoom sessions when we can all meet, greet and sing.

"The joy is so wonderful to see in all the members regardless of their disabilities and situation they are in."

The song will be revealed on The Music Man Project YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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