On Sunday 3rd December,  Paradise London Live presents a unique two stage one day festival, "Paradise London Live X Omeara” at Omeara London in aid of Nordoff Robbins.

Talented emerging artists are coming together to present their unique talents on the Nordoff Robbins Stage.

This is the first time Omeara, a beautiful venue, art gallery and food courtyard, owned and managed by Ben Lovatt of Mumford and sons and Communion Music, has ever collaborated to present a full two stage one day festival.  The concept has been created by Soho creative team Paradise London Live, a live music platform directly focussed on supporting emerging talent, at great London venues.  Its creation was inspired by the journeys of the three founders, Lorraine Solomons, an ethical promoter and passionate live music champion and Nick Jekyll and Martin Dunn (Paradise London agency founders) who are both musicians and fully understand the challenges and realities of any independent artist trying to reach a wider audience and achieve commercial success.  

With full bands performing in Omeara's main gig room, a beautiful and intimate acoustic stage in the upstairs bar and terrace area will host the ‘Nordoff Robbins Stage’ featuring artists including Louise Golbey, Sharlette, Tony Moore, Kingsgate and many more to be announced.  It's not to be missed!

If you're interested in attending, doors are at 12 midday, with live music from 1pm.  

Tickets are available from www.paradiselondonlive.co.uk.

Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson and Nick ‘Peanut’ Baines ceremonially broke ground at our new Newcastle music therapy centre on 1 November, supported by Nordoff Robbins ambassador Evie Whittaker.

The centre, at the former matron’s lodge at Newcastle’s Fleming Hospital, will be operational from April next year and will primarily help vulnerable children and young people from across the region, improving their wellbeing through skilled use of music.

Alison Hornblower, Nordoff Robbins Regional Manager for Yorkshire and the North East, said: "We hope to deliver around 500 sessions once the Newcastle centre is fully open and this new service will help an additional 100 people per year in the region through weekly sessions and longer-term support, in addition to the 1,500 people who currently access our services through our partner organisation work.”

Ambassador Evie added: “It feels great because I know it can help so many people like me. I know that they can help more people with a new centre.”

This will be the first purpose-built Nordoff Robbins music therapy centre outside London. It is supported by the Graham Wylie Foundation, who donated the building and raised substantial funds through Rock’n’Raise – backed by a host of stars, including the Kaiser Chiefs.

“They and many others have been unstinting in their support,” said Graham Wylie, “which is why we are delighted they have agreed to carry out the ceremonial ‘launch’ of the centre.”

The centre will provide individual and group sessions from referrals, as well as potentially offering community drop-in and more open group formats. It will also become a training base for the Nordoff Robbins Master of Music Therapy programme (subject to HCPC approval and validation by Goldsmiths, University of London), alongside our existing training bases in London and Manchester.

Julie Whelan, Nordoff Robbins CEO, said: “Our vision as a charity is a world where music therapy is available to all those who need it, and with this centre we have just taken a significant step forward to making that vision a reality. We thank the Graham Wylie Foundation for making it possible and the Kaiser Chiefs for being with us to mark this occasion.”

Construction of the new centre is being carried out by North East-based JD Joinery and Building Services and Managing Director, Joe Dixon, said: "We are incredibly proud to be involved with the Graham Wylie Foundation to create the first Nordoff Robbins centre in the North East."

The Graham Wylie Foundation was set up in 2016 by entrepreneur and founder of Sage, Graham Wylie. It is one of just a handful of charities in the world which gives 100 per cent of its donations directly to good causes, with Mr Wylie himself meeting all administration and staff costs.

Although shy, Kenneth, 18, has an open and friendly personality and loves dancing, singing and sixties and seventies music. Kenneth also has severe learning difficulties, and can struggle with concentration in lessons, finding it hard to stay focused.

It was through Kenneth’s love of music that he was referred to Nordoff Robbins music therapy, to help him engage and connect with others. Music therapist Seb works closely with Kenneth at Highfield School in Ossett, where they improvise together through music – playing on guitar, drums and creating songs together.

Rob Stringer, global CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, became the 2017 recipient of the highly prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award on Monday 6 November. Stringer, one of the most well-regarded, respected and successful executives in the worldwide music business, joined the ranks of previous honourees including Roger Daltrey CBE, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Sir George Martin, Simon Cowell, Michael Eavis CBE and Annie Lennox OBE.

In a London ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, hosted by BBC radio and television personality Jo Whiley, Nicky Wire of Manic Street Preachers - an artist and band Stringer signed in 1991 as they were starting out – presented Rob with the award. During the evening, the audience enjoyed performances by Harry Styles, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, George Ezra and Camila Cabello, all chart-topping artists who have worked with the executive during his career.

Celebrating its 26th year, the Music Industry Trusts Award is recognised as one of the true benchmarks of achievement in the UK music business, and continues to benefit great causes year after year. The MITS Award supports charities Nordoff Robbins and the BRIT Trust, and is sponsored by Ingenious, PPL, SJM and Spotify.

The esteem in which Stringer is held by the biggest names in music was further emphasised as guests viewed a unique tribute film, featuring contributions from such superstars as Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, Adele, Celine Dion, John Legend, Pharrell, Solange and Sade.

Attendees on the night included Simon Cowell, Andy Fletcher (Depeche Mode), Ian Broudie (The Lightning Seeds), Kirsty Young, Steve Norman, Gary Kemp, Paloma Faith, Bring Me The Horizon, Mark Ronson, Laura Whitmore, The Script, Hozier, London Grammar, Damon Hill, Jeff Lynne, Manic Street Preachers.

A lifelong Luton Town Football Club fanatic, Rob started his career in London at CBS Records as a graduate trainee in 1985. Quickly rising through the ranks, he became Managing Director of Epic Records in 1992, and Chairman of Sony Music UK in 2001. During this time, he worked closely with top UK artists including The Clash, Manic Street Preachers, Jamiroquai, Sade and the late George Michael.

Stringer went on to be appointed Chairman of Sony Music Entertainment’s Columbia Records in the US in 2008, and can be credited with the label’s recent stratospheric rise. With a label roster boasting some of the world’s most iconic artists, notably AC/DC, Bob Dylan, Celine Dion, Pharrell Williams and Bruce Springsteen, Stringer has overseen a number of the most ground-breaking releases of the last decade, including the record-shattering “25” by Adele, Beyoncé's cutting-edge visual album “Lemonade” Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories” and “Blackstar”, the final studio album by David Bowie, with whom Rob personally worked very closely.

Stringer’s most recent accomplishments include contributing to the monumental mainstream success of EDM-pop duo The Chainsmokers and, more recently, nurturing Harry Styles’ breakout solo career. Rob was promoted to CEO of Sony Music Entertainment worldwide in October last year.

Although shy, Kenneth, 18, has an open and friendly personality and loves dancing, singing and sixties and seventies music. Kenneth also has severe learning difficulties, and can struggle with concentration in lessons, finding it hard to stay focused.

It was through Kenneth’s love of music that he was referred to Nordoff Robbins music therapy, to help him engage and connect with others. Music therapist Seb works closely with Kenneth at Highfield School in Ossett, where they improvise together through music – playing on guitar, drums and creating songs together.

It takes real skill to ensure that Kenneth’s experience isn’t limited by the fact he isn’t musically trained, and Seb continually makes fine judgements for when to wait, listen and hang back, when to accompany Kenneth, and when to offer something new. This creates an environment where Kenneth can recognise his contributions to the music, and initiate and communicate ideas. He is motivated by the music he creates, focusing his attention for longer.

Seb said: “Kenneth’s part in the music is integral – without him, the music does not exist. Kenneth is now much more able to share his interactions with me and can sustain his playing for the entire duration of the session. He is developing his social awareness, his social skills, his ability to form relationships, and these skills are transferable – he can take that away with him to the classroom, to home life, to anywhere.”

This is the Nordoff Robbins approach to music therapy – two (or more) people making music together in ways that open up a shared musical experience. These experiences and opportunities can be particularly valuable for people who have special educational needs, as they can be difficult to access in other ways.

Jackie Craig, Kenneth’s former teacher at Highfield School, said: “I think music therapy is fantastic for our students – you can see their confidence and self-esteem just develop. What Seb can do in a session we can’t do in a lesson environment, as we’ve always got big groups of students. Seb can really work with small groups of students and individuals to get their potential in music and develop transferable skills across the curriculum.”

Kenneth’s commitment to music therapy and ability to interact with others has now transferred to a group situation – the school rock band – an idea that he inspired. From beginning in a position of social isolation, Kenneth is now thriving as a member of the band, and his peers can see his creativity as part of a social group.

As the largest music therapy charity in the UK, Nordoff Robbins works with thousands of children and young people in the school environment, as well as in their music therapy centres – supporting them to access a wider curriculum by developing key skills like communication and social interaction.

Sessions like Kenneth’s – based in an active musical recognition of his creativity and readiness to engage – are provided by Nordoff Robbins music therapists across the country every day of the week.

CLIMB TO EVEREST BASE CAMP

7-25 MARCH 2018

Do you have a head for heights? Challenge yourself in one of the most spectacular trekking destinations in the world as you trek to the Base Camp of the highest point in the world. It is an incredible journey offering panoramic views across a magical landscape of snow-capped peaks and mighty glaciers. This is the challenge of a lifetime to the roof of the world. 

Register by 08 December

Sign up here

A huge thanks to the Truants for succesful completion of their Ride India 2017, a (sometimes!) gruelling 200 km bike ride through the challenging terrain of India's southern province of Kerala.

The ride, raising money for Nordoff Robbins, Teenage Cancer Trust and Childline, took the 43 cyclists up hills totalling 7399 ft, through stunning scenery, and on roads winding through scores of small villages and towns, meeting some of the most friendly people imaginable.

But with temperatures over 96°F (32°C),humidity at times reaching 96%, and roads best described as 'interesting' it certainly proved a worthy challenge and the Truants' toughest ride yet!

Our own Director of Fundraising, Communications and Marketing, Jo Carter, who is a member of the Truants and participating in her third ride, said:

"The ride was tough but also brilliant. We set off by 6.30am every day to avoid some of the intense heat and humidity. Over the three days we cycled over 200km up hills totalling 7399ft – if you reckon Mount Snowdon is 3560ft, we did two of those on a very heavy mountain bike (with a mind of its own). 

I have come back with a few bruises (the result of a run in with a speeding tuk tuk) but also in the knowledge that Nordoff Robbins and the work we do is understood, valued and will continue to be supported by some very passionate and dedicated people, who together over the last six rides, have raised over £1million for Nordoff Robbins.

During my time with the group I spoke to many of the riders about our work and without exception whoever I spoke to was fascinated and more importantly, given what we were doing, motivated by what we do. Music played a big role on the trip, on the last night each of the new riders (Rookies as we call them!) had to give a performance, after which song sheets were handed out so that we could celebrate our achievement by singing together - overall badly."

A huge thanks again to all the Truants for yet another succesful challenge. Fundraising will continue until January, when all donors will sent a link to the Ride India site, including tall tales, stats, pics and the 'magnificant movie'.

You can find out more and contribute here.

Nordoff Robbins teamed up with Frank Warren and BoxNation to host an exciting evening of Championship Boxing on 13 November at the London Hilton on Park Lane, which saw the legendary Ricky Hatton MBE pick up the Boxing Icon Award and Joe Joyce collect a Boxing Special Achievement Award.

During his boxing career Ricky Hatton has held multiple world championships at light-welterweight and welterweight, ranked by BoxRec as the best British light-welterweight of all time - the third best in Europe, and eleventh best worldwide. 2016 Olympic Boxing Team star Joe Joyce meanwhile is arguably the hottest prospect in the world of boxing, having earlier this year signed to veteran David Haye’s promotional company. 

Hatton said: “I’m absolutely delighted to receive this Nordoff Robbins Award. Tonight I’ve been in a room with so many of my hero’s and it’s been a real pleasure – I just love boxing, it’s part of me, it’s in my DNA.”

Joyce added: “I am so very pleased and honoured to receive the award. It’s been a great night.”

The fight card featured matches between winner Danny Wright and Chris Adaway in the Welterweight contest, Gyula Dodu and winner Jay Harris in the International Flyweight contest, Jack Flately who beat Marian Cazacu in the International Middleweight contest and winner Stephen Danyo who beat Lloyd Ellett , in the WBO European Welterweight Championship contest, all exclusively filmed by boxnation.

The Boxing Dinner, which marked its eighth year, was hosted by Anton de Beke, and featured a live performance from classical star Alfie Boe. Celebrity guests included philanthropist and presenter Katie Piper, singer Lisa Mafia, Game of Thrones star Christian Vit, Love Island 2017 star Jamie Jewitt, singer Camilla Thurlow, and X Factor 2017’s Tracy Leanne Jefford.

Nordoff Robbins Boxing Committee Chairman and Worldwide President of The Agency Group, Neil Warnock, said: “We are proud to say that the Boxing Dinner has been going strong for nine years now, supporting a wonderful charity. Nordoff Robbins deliver music therapy to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Their central mission is to change more lives through music, but with no government funding events such as these help them to raise the funds needed to make this mission a reality.

"My sincerest thanks to everyone who has made this event possible, including Frank Warren and Box Nation. We trust everyone had a great time and congratulations to our Boxing Icon winner Ricky Hatton MBE, Joe Joyce, our Nordoff Robbins Boxing Special Achievement Award winner, and to all of the brilliant boxers tonight.”

Frank Warren, Chairman of BoxNation, said: “We were absolutely delighted to once again be involved in the Nordoff Robbins boxing dinner. Nordoff Robbins are a very special charity and I am proud of the fact that all the money raised from this event allows them to continue their vital work. Congratulations to both Ricky Hatton and Joe Joyce on their awards this evening, and a further congratulations to all of our boxers who took to the ring.”

The event also raises funds for the London ex-Boxers Association.

APPLICATIONS deadline approaching FOR THE 2018 MPHIL/PHD PROGRAMME

The deadline for applications for places on the Nordoff Robbins MPhil/ PhD programme is fast approaching, so take action soon if you are considering an application.

Up two two places are available during 2018 and we welcome applicants with suitable experience who fit the criteria.

SCHEDULE FOR APPLICATIONS

Closing date for applications: 5 January 2018
Selection process: January - February 2018

About the programme

The Nordoff Robbins PhD programme has two parallel tracks:

MPhil/ PhD in Music Therapy 
MPhil/ PhD in Music, Health, Society

This postgraduate research degrees programme is validated by Goldsmiths, University of London and is linked to both the Nordoff Robbins Research Department and to the Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies Department (STaCS) at Goldsmiths. It is a practice-orientated programme designed for experienced practitioners in either music therapy, or community music/ music and health who seek further professional development through research.

Prospectus

FAQs

More information and testimonals

If you want to speak to someone currently on the programme to talk about their experiences follow the 'more information and testimonials' link which will provide you with contact details.

For all other questions, information and all things regarding applications, please contact the PhD Programme Convenor Prof Gary Ansdell: gary.ansdell@nordoff-robbins.org.uk 
 

The Deadline  for applications is the 5th January 2018 and successful applicants with be notified Jan-Feb 2018.

Best of luck to all who apply!

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There are some great raffle items on offer, including a cash prize, tickets to Bestival and the acclaimed Royal Opera House production of Manon Lescaut along with wonderful music products, champagne & wine and other items.

Whether you are a classical conoscente or your tastes are a little more crossover, it’s still not too late to sign up a team to take part in the quiz for just £150 or to donate a prize that will help support this great cause.

Please contact PPL’s Ben Hogwood for enquiries or to register ben.hogwood@ppluk.com. 

The night will start at 6pm, and the quiz itself will begin around 7pm.  Once again questions will be set by Gramophone Editor-in-chief James Jolly, and the MC will be Jeremy Elliott.

The event is inspired by the hugely successful pop quiz that Nordoff Robbins have run for the last 20+ years. It also offers a great chance to get together with friends and colleagues, and is an enormously enjoyable way of raising money for the charity.

A new paper A Systematic Review of Outcome Measures in Music Therapy has been published by researchers at Nordoff Robbins and Nordoff Robbins Scotland: Neta Spiro, Giorgos Tsiris and Charlotte Cripps. 

We ask the authors: What lead to this paper and what are the results that it describes?

Assessment has been part of music therapy practice since the early 1960s but the drive to use outcome measures in music therapy research and practice has increased in recent years. This situation may be related to changes in the field such as the emphasis on evidence based practice, funding expectations, as well as the expectation that the use of such measures and tools can contribute to understanding of the effects and effectiveness of interventions. As researchers we would often get requests for suggestions for outcome measures which are appropriate to different client groups and contexts. In many cases we would find it challenging to identify the outcome measures that existed specifically for music therapy.

In response to this challenge in 2016, we, as the Nordoff Robbins research team, published a resource bringing together all the outcome measures for music therapy  that we could find.

Our aim with the resource was to present to practitioners and researchers what outcome measures were available in the field.

In collating these outcome measures, some key questions emerged: What do these measures focus on and what is omitted in the current measures? What client groups are they designed for and what do they test?

Our new paper summarises the findings of our exploration of these questions. Among other observations, the findings show that most measures concern work with people with autism, developmental and learning disabilities, and special needs. They also show that the existing measures have the following main categories of focus: Musical engagement, functioning, communication and/ or interaction, relationship, and music therapy process. 

For more information, take a look at the paper. We hope the findings from the research paper, alongside the original resource, will support practitioners and researchers in the field.

The third running of the annual Nordoff Robbins Classical Quiz, held at The Phoenix, Cavendish Square in Central London, raised just over £4,000 for the music therapy charity. 

The event has now contributed close to £10,000 to Nordoff Robbins since it was first staged in 2015.

The quiz was won by the team from Presto Classical, who finished narrowly ahead of BBC Music Magazine (last year’s winners) and Gramophone, who tied for second place in a keenly contested quiz.

Seventeen teams drawn mainly from classical labels and distributors took part, filling The Phoenix venue to capacity.  Among the raffle prizes on offer were premium opera tickets, festival passes, hampers and champagne along with box sets generously donated by record companies.

The quiz was compiled by Gramophone Editor-in-Chief James Jolly and compered by Jeremy Elliott.

The organisers – members of the BPI Classical Committee – would like to place on record their sincere thanks to everyone involved.

Through a well-chosen video from Nordoff Robbins, presented by Carys Robshaw, the participants were also able to see at first hand, through a therapy session visited by Alexander Armstrong, how much the charity achieves with the money raised each year.

Founder and co-organiser, PPL’s Ben Hogwood said: “We’d like to thank everyone involved for their time, generosity and enthusiasm in supporting such a worthwhile cause.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and we’re proud that we were able to raise nearly a third more than last year. 

“The aim is to keep growing the event so that it becomes a key date in the music industry calendar and each year does that bit more to help Nordoff Robbins and the wonderful work that it does.”

Co-organiser, Classical Music Consultant at Proper Music Distribution, Ginny Cooper, added: “I am always humbled to see so many people drawn from across the classical industry come together to dip their hands into their pockets and support such a worthy cause. I’m proud to be associated with it and to see so many friends and colleagues donate their time and energy to take part in what has become such a fun event.”

On 28 November, we were delighted to return to Parliament to host the second Nordoff Robbins roundtable, supported by the BPI.

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After welcome and introduction from Nordoff Robbins CEO Julie Whelan, BPI CEO Geoff Taylor, set the context of BPI support and interests in mental health – emphasising the BPI’s commitment to raising awareness of the economic, social and cultural Value of Music, with a focus on wellbeing and mental health.

In 2016, Nordoff Robbins delivered 26,500 music therapy sessions to 6,985 people, through our own centres and by working in partnerships with others. Our Director of Music Services, Oksana Zharinova-Sanderson explored this in the context of ongoing research being coordinated by Nordoff Robbins, into the impact of those services across schools and other settings, sharing examples from music therapy practice about the impact that our work has on people’s wellbeing.

We were grateful to all participants for their valuable contributions. The attending Parliamentarians, in many cases, shared personal and compelling testimonies to the power of music, with the Rt Hon Norman Lamb, in particular, drawing on his experience as Minister for Community and Social Care to share a story of witnessing the impact brought by the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra to a Merseyside mental health trust. The debate was concluded by David Munns, Nordoff Robbins Chair of the Board of Trustees, who shared his insights into the importance of music and music therapy as a powerful tool for communication.

A range of themes came out of discussions, including:

• Mental health issues can be very isolating, but music and music therapy can have a positive impact, for example in anxiety reduction and social interaction.
• Music therapy offers a means of interaction where verbally based thought processes are bypassed and a range of communicative and interactive possibilities can be used.
• Personal, cultural and social dimensions can be identified to support ‘what works’ for mental health and wellbeing.
• The landscape for health and care commissioning is complex and becoming more fragmented – which is a potential challenge for music therapy service provision.
• More needs to be done to raise awareness of the compelling positive impact of music therapy, in order to ensure that funding is there to provide it.
• Research is vital in making this case, extending our intuitive sense that music can have powerful effects on wellbeing towards providing clear and rigorous evidence for commissioners and policy-makers.
• Funding for music education is essential, especially in schools. A lack of funding for musical study risks reducing numbers of music students at later stages of education.
• The value of opening up the debate to a broad range of collaborators, to consider the value of music and wider social impact, that can be built upon going forward.

A note on the importance of evidence.

A key theme in the discussion highlighted the essential role of evidence in making the case for the impact of music and music therapy on mental health.

Nordoff Robbins aims to demonstrate the benefits of music therapy on mental health and wellbeing for children and young people, through adding to the current research on music therapy in schools and places of education. Nordoff Robbins has undertaken a study on the impact of its music therapy services in school settings, with overall findings showing that Nordoff Robbins music therapy was seen to have a positive impact on quality of life and wellbeing by 87% of respondents, and a positive impact on interaction, communication and/or relationships by 91% of respondents.

Nordoff Robbins is now planning a further research study, to commence in January 2018, investigating music therapy in mainstream and special educational needs schools. The research will support future research and practice concerning music therapy in educational settings and decision-making in music therapy, contributing to broader debates on arts in health and wellbeing.

A blog from Nordoff Robbins researcher, Katie Rose Sanfilippo:

This weekend, the London Centre was host to a major international conference organised by Nordoff Robbins in collaboration with SAME (Spirituality and Music Education). More than a hundred delegates arrived on Saturday morning from all over the world to present and share ideas about music, spirituality, therapy and education.
Saturday began with Sara Mackian’s fascinating keynote about the role that music can play in sparking moments where the spiritual is realised in everyday life, with Sara underlining the importance of leaving space for mystery in our engagements with spirituality, wellbeing and learning in music. Lars Ole Bonde then responded with some carefully considered remarks, with the two speakers setting the tone of the conference to include diverse, respectful conversations in the spirit of curious investigation and inquiry.

Following this there were three parallel sessions on Saturday and Sunday, with a total of thirty presentations on topics as diverse as music in hospice care, ideas about sexuality in shakuhachi music, Guided Imagery Meditation, ways of approaching music and spirituality in the national curriculum, representations of theology in music, and more. 

On Saturday night delegates were treated to a musical extravaganza which included the Nordoff Robbins Community Choir and some great solos, ending the first day in Nordoff Robbins style with everyone participating in music-making. Sunday morning brought large amounts of unexpected snow and all kinds of travel delays for delegates, but some festive tunes on the piano kept attendees warm while the day got started. Most were able to make it in sooner or later for another informative and interesting day of talks and discussion, starting off with a launch in the morning for two books that displayed quite different approaches to the topics of the conference, while in the end showing the rich diversity of perspectives on the chosen theme of our event.

Finally, a roundtable discussion brought everyone together again to draw out themes from the two days, thinking about ideas and questions contributed throughout by participants. Fresh inspirations, potential collaborations, and just as importantly, new friends had been made as everyone headed back out into the wintry weather on Sunday afternoon. So many attendees remarked on how impressed they were with the space, the event, and with the contributions of Nordoff Robbins people, from research presentations by our music therapists, to the participation of students, volunteers and colleagues in supporting the event and contributing to a lovely atmosphere.

Thanks so much to everyone who helped make the event such a success!

Now to start thinking about how to make next year’s even better…

Nordoff Robbins' annual carol service featured a host of very special guests, with readings from the ever-joyous Rory Bremner, Dame Eileen Atkins, Anna Maxwell Martin, David Gyasi and festive performances from Izzy Bizu, Esther Yoo and The British Collective.

The event, held at St. Luke's Church in Chelsea on 12 December, began with a heartfelt welcome from the Reverend Emma Smith, before Director of Music Services Simon Procter spoke on the impact and reach of our music therapy, as well as the importance of funding to enable us to continue our work. We were also lucky enough to be joined by pupils from the Latymer Prep School, who sang a selection of festive favourites including Once in Royal David's City.

There was an exclusive performance from singer-songwriter Izzy Bizu, who since being shortlisted for a 2015 BRIT’s Critic’s Choice Award has gone from strength to strength, supporting Sam Smith, Rudimental and Foxes on their latest UK tours and picking up the coveted BBC Music Introducing Award at the 2016 ceremony. Joining Izzy was violinist Esther Yoo, the first ever Artist-in-Residence with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who has taken the classical scene by storm. Also treating guests to a special set were the ‘Godfathers of UK Soul’ The British Collective.

The congregation joined in for festive carols including God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and following the service mince pies and mulled wine were shared with guests.  

Esther Yoo said: "Music plays a great part in our lives, and as we saw tonight, there were so many fantastic performers and instrumentalists, as well as singers and choirs - and it's just fantastic to bring all those great musicians together to create this wonderful evening." 

The carol service raised vital funds for music therapy, which will enable Nordoff Robbins to continue our life-changing work and support vulnerable and isolated people across the UK. We are very grateful to everyone who contributed to make this such a wonderful evening, and particular thanks go to sponsors Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management, who recently acquired Hargreave Hale - a long standing supporter of Nordoff Robbins, and were thrilled to continue this tradition with their support of this year's service. 

We've shared filmed performances from the evening on our Twitter and Facebook accounts, so check them out for some festive favourites to get you in the Christmas spirit. 

In November this year, the UK’s first superchoir ‘Choirs with a Purpose’ launched their inaugural single, the beautiful ‘We All Stand Together’

Choirs with a purpose is a coming together of 12 choirs ‘with purpose’ from all across the UK, who in response to recent events which have threatened peace and unity in our communities, are collaborating on a crowd-funded album “all about hope in a time of uncertainty, division and conflict”.

The superchoir has recorded more than 1400 voices from all across the country in groups of all sizes, and the Earl Mountbatten Community Choir, led by Nordoff Robbins music therapist Fraser Simpson, were delighted to contribute to this. 47 members travelled to Bristol in September to join forces for a recording with other hospice choirs from across the UK.

The Earl Mountbatten Choir was launched just over a year ago as part of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice/Nordoff Robbins partnership and includes patients, staff, relatives and volunteers at the hospice – but it’s open to all.

Fraser said:

“Singing is a fabulous way for people to join together – it promotes wellbeing on every level, being a great form of exercise as well as a very social and uplifting activity. On an average Wednesday evening we have 60-70 singers which is indicative of the appetite that exists for community singing.”

“The highlight of the choir’s year was definitely our day trip to Bristol at the end of September to record songs for the Choirs with Purpose album ‘Stand Together’. It was fascinating for everybody to see how the process worked, with each voice part being recorded one by one, and the day also gave members of the choir a lovely opportunity to get to know each other better.

The results of course are stunning and it has given people a massive sense of achievement to have contributed to such a worthwhile and exciting project that has been so professionally organised and run, and that will bring joy to many people.”

We want the album to have all the success it deserves and hope that Nordoff Robbins supporters will want to buy a copy to enjoy some really great singing, and support a very worthy cause, with profits going to the participating charitable organisations.

Let’s hope for a Christmas Number One!

You can listen to the single below

Or purchase the album here from tomorrow (15th December)

We are delighted to say that applications for the 2018 intake of Nordoff Robbins MMT courses in London and Newcastle are now open!

(Newcastle intake is subject to validation from the HCPC and validation from Goldsmiths University)

About the Course

The Master of Music Therapy (Nordoff Robbins): Music, Health, Society is an internationally renowned Masters level programme, validated by Goldsmiths, University of London. 

Successful completion of this two-year course gives you eligibility to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council for registration as a music therapist, the UK legal prerequisite for working in the profession. If you’re passionate about what music and music-making can achieve, download our  prospectus and a look at the FAQs to find out more.

More on our Masters Pages here

For Jamie, music therapy gave him the chance to process and express difficult feelings, following brain injury and the tragic death of his younger sister. 

In 2004, Jamie sustained a traumatic brain injury in a road traffic accident. Following three months in a coma, he began the long process of rehabilitation – re-learning how to walk and talk, and adjusting to living with the lasting effects of his injuries.

Jamie’s injury made it challenging to process and express emotions, and this challenge was made even more acute by the tragic death of his sister Angharad, following a horse riding accident. Jamie’s sister was just eighteen, and such an enormous loss has been difficult for him to deal with.

Jamie worked closely with Nordoff Robbins music therapist Jo, to write a song about his sister. After initially declining to play an instrument in music therapy, song-writing gave Jamie a musically interactive experience and an outlet to express deeply personal words and feelings, which had weighed heavily upon him.

Jo said: “The song writing process was one of close collaboration. I asked Jamie to tell me about his sister and wrote down his exact words as he spoke. From this, verses and choruses developed and as he read them out, I played an underlying piano accompaniment, listening to the rhythm and melodic line of his speech and colouring it with the depth of emotion that I felt in his words. I sang his words back to him, and the melody of his song emerged.”

Jamie has never played an instrument or sung himself during sessions with Jo, and song-writing proved the channel he needed to process feelings and emotions.

Jamie said: “You don’t know how much it’s helped me. You’ve helped me express what I was feeling. Get the words out of my head. It’s like a weight lifted off my shoulders.”

Jamie started to work with music therapist Jo, as a way to provide emotional support, as part of a partnership between Nordoff Robbins and Morriston Hospital’s Traumatic Brain Injury Service in Swansea.

Jamie’s Song is a heartfelt tribute to Angharad, which clearly and honestly communicates his feelings of loss, guilt and despair. It is also a personal achievement for Jamie, and with his permission, we are pleased to share the music here:

We have an exciting new opportunity for someone to join the corporate team here at Nordoff Robbins, the largest charitable provider of music therapy services in the UK. The person we are looking for is confident, enthusiastic, energetic and would like to work as part of a successful fundraising team.

The Corporate Assistant plays a vital role in developing and maintaining relationships and income streams with new and existing corporate partners. From assisting the Senior Corporate Manager with the logistical delivery of all aspects of the corporate fundraising portfolio, to individually stewarding certain corporate relationships and fundraising campaigns, the Corporate Assistant will play a crucial role in the fundraising team.

Based in the London Headquarters in Kentish Town, designed from the ground up to focus on music therapy and featuring beautiful modern music rooms, this is a truly inspiring work space that would really suit someone looking to work in a non-traditional charity environment. It is also vital that the post holder has empathy for the work Nordoff Robbins does; and is motivated by their cause, which is to transform lives through music.

If you believe you have all the requirements for this role, and you would like to join Nordoff Robbins in the position of Corporate Assistant, please contact Sandy Trappitt  sandy.trappitt@nordoff-robbins.org.uk immediately. The position closes on 12 January, with interviews being held week commencing 15 January 2018.

Download the job description

We are looking for an office volunteer to support the corporate and community fundraising teams

Context:

The corporate partnerships team has a successful track record in securing and building long term, mutually beneficial and strategic relationships with UK-based companies. The team works in collaboration with companies across a range of fundraising mechanics including strategic business partnerships, marketing or social responsibility alignment; sponsorship; cause related marketing and employee fundraising. The corporate partnerships team works closely with other key teams, including community fundraising, events and communications. 

The community fundraising team supports individuals and organisations in the community such as schools, colleges, theatres, musicians and choirs, engaging with them to set up their own fundraising events such as concerts, cake sales, charity evenings and challenge events. It is also responsible for sourcing volunteers to help out with Nordoff Robbins events.

Nordoff Robbins is the largest independent music therapy charity in the UK, dedicated to changing the lives of vulnerable and isolated people. We support thousands of people in our own centres and by working in partnership with a wide range of organisations including care homes, schools and hospitals. When delivered by a trained practitioner, music therapy can be used to support people living with a wide range of needs. It can help a child with autism to communicate, reduce anxiety for those living with dementia or provide comfort and celebrate the life of someone facing terminal illness. Music therapy can be life-changing for so many people.

Key responsibilities:

This is a flexible role and duties will vary depending on need, skills and interest, ideally you will be based in the Kentish Town office one day a week. Tasks could include researching new companies and their approach to supporting charities, speaking to companies about their corporate social responsibility (CSR), recording information about companies and their CSR, researching fundraising activities and promoting the work of Nordoff Robbins in the community. 

Skills and competencies:

• Attention to detail is vital
• Solid mathematical skills
• Experience of working in an office environment is desirable
• Aptitude for effective communication and research
• Fully IT literate, with experience of Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint
• Ability to work efficiently to a deadline
• Strong organisational skills are vital
• A passion for the charity sector and music therapy is desirable
• Keen to learn and develop new skills

What this role can offer the volunteer:

This role will offer you the chance to work within one of Nordoff Robbins offices alongside colleagues from a variety of Nordoff Robbins teams. You will be working closely with the corporate and community teams and will get a taste of how a successful fundraising team works, and help support Nordoff Robbins life changing music therapy work. 

• You will help Nordoff Robbins in its mission to change lives through music.
• You will learn about the various aspects of working in the corporate and community fundraising sectors both at practical and strategic level.
• This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who is interested in developing a future career in corporate or community fundraising and/or the fundraising sector.

Details:

This is a volunteer role and as such is unpaid. However, we may be able to reimburse reasonable expenses.

We try to offer flexible volunteering hours, to fit with other commitments you may have

Application process:

Please send a CV and cover letter to fundraising@nordoff-robbins.org.uk

Application deadline:

31st January 2018. Applications will be considered as they are received

Interview date:

To be arranged.

Start date:

As soon as possible.

You can download a copy of the job description here