About this Event
The first performance and exhibition at the Royal Society of Arts by the multi-award-winning Music Man Project.
A musical performance and opening reception to celebrate The Music Man Project's first exhibition. This is the opening reception, and the exhibition will be on from 13-17 April 2026 at the Royal Society of Arts.
The Music Man Project presents its debut exhibition, The Music Within: One Beat at a Time, showcasing a powerful series of black‑and‑white portraits by official photographer Jon Webber. The opening reception features a special performance by The Music Man Project Global Ambassadors, celebrating the creativity, talent and spirit of musicians with learning disabilities.
Guests are invited to enjoy an evening of music, conversation, and portrait viewing in the historic Great Room at RSA House, with the photographer in attendance to share insights into the stories behind the images.
The Music Man Project
Founded by former UK Disability and Access Ambassador for Arts and Culture, David Stanley BEM, The Music Man Project is an award‑winning international music education and performance charity for people with learning disabilities. Its ground‑breaking concerts at the London Palladium and the Royal Albert Hall, international tours to America, Canada and Italy, acclaimed collaborations with The Royal Marines and Michael Ball, national television appearances, and performances for Prime Ministers and His Majesty The King have helped drive meaningful reform in the inclusive arts sector. Today, The Music Man Project stands as a powerful symbol of British leadership in accessible music, showcasing the extraordinary talent and potential of musicians with learning disabilities on the world stage.
Jon Webber – Official Photographer at The Music Man Project
Jon Webber has photographed students of The Music Man Project since 2018, quickly discovering that his unobtrusive approach allows genuine moments of concentration, joy, and emotion to unfold naturally in front of the lens. He and founder David Stanley soon realised that these images were capturing something irreplaceable - fleeting moments in time that may never come again.
Alongside his role as the charity’s bass guitarist, Jon has documented many of its greatest adventures, from collaborations with The Royal Marines, The RAF, The London Community Gospel Choir and Michael Ball to international tours and unforgettable performances at the Royal Albert Hall. Grateful for the trust and access he is given, Jon continues to preserve the spirit of The Music Man Project through candid, expressive photography.
In 2024, he began developing a series of black‑and‑white portraits using natural light and a simple backdrop, stripping away distraction to focus entirely on each student. Jon does not consider himself a traditional portrait photographer; instead, he uses quick, playful interaction to reveal the relaxed expression that follows.
The opening reception and performance will take place in the Great Room, and you are welcome to come to our Muse Bar before and after the event.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The RSA, Great Room, London, United Kingdom
GBP 12.50
