CHILDREN and adults with learning difficulties from Hampshire were amongst 200 musicians who took to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall last week for a spectacular concert in front of an audience of 3,000.

They were part of The Music Man Project Hampshire, run by The Salvation Army in Hedge End, the local branch of an award-winning national project, which offers people with learning difficulties the same opportunities enjoyed by aspiring mainstream musicians by providing the best tuition, instruments, musical repertoire and performance platforms available.

On April 15, 200 musicians with a learning disability will performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London, where they were supported by a symphony orchestra, massed choirs and celebrity guests, in the UK’s largest ever celebration of learning-disabled musicianship.

The concert was organised to give people with learning difficulties the opportunity to perform music on the biggest stages.

Among those taking part was Claire Steeples, 41, from Wickham, who has learning and communication difficulties. She attended with her brother, Robert, and sister-in-law Amy Staples.

They played percussion instruments, including triangles and drums.

Her mother, Jenny, said: "It was a fantastic night, what an achievement for all, especially the Hampshire Music Man Project who were only formed a year ago.

"It was an amazing experience, a dream come true. Claire was on stage for seven hours, with the rehearsals and concert. Sometimes her behaviour can be challenging, but it wasn't that day. She was so happy and felt so safe with the people she was with."

The projects and concert have come from the vision of David Stanley, who has spent some 20 years making his vision of the concert a reality.

The Hampshire group are now looking ahead to their next big date – their Christmas concert.

* The Hampshire Music Man Project group meets on Thursdays, 1-2pm in term time at the Salvation Army church in Whites Way, Hedge End.