Following our recent merger with Nordoff Robbins in Scotland, we are excited to announce the appointment of Angus Nelson, who will be joining our organisation in the newly created role of Head of Scotland.

We are delighted to welcome Angus who will take up the post officially on the 12 November.  Angus will work with our team, supporters and partners to develop the work of Nordoff Robbins in Scotland.

Angus has more than 20 years’ experience working in the voluntary sector for charities that focus on medical research and service delivery, the arts, the environment and latterly international development.  For more than half that time he has filled senior roles responsible for strategic planning, leading teams and managing high level external relationships.

At the British Heart Foundation, Alzheimer's Society and most recently Oxfam Scotland his remit predominately focused on generating income for projects and programmes of work from statutory and voluntary sources – high net worth individuals and charitable trusts and foundations. 

His experience and expertise will now be shared in his new role to support us in reaching more people in Scotland than ever before.

In October of this year, we merged with our sister organisation, Nordoff Robbins Scotland, a significant step which saw our two organisations come together to form a single UK wide Nordoff Robbins charity.

As a single charity, we aim to use our combined wealth of expertise and joint commitment to delivering high-quality music therapy to expand our reach and help even more vulnerable and isolated people in communities where the power of music will be used to change lives. 

The merger will offer a wealth of opportunity for us to continue developing our life-changing work in Scotland and to grow music therapy provision across the UK, with Angus playing a pivotal role.

Julie Whelan, our CEO says “We are delighted to be welcoming Angus to the Nordoff Robbins fold. Under his leadership and guidance, our charity has a truly brilliant opportunity to develop service provision in Scotland and to grow our reach across communities where our help is needed most. With Angus, along with all our Scottish colleagues, we look forward to taking some great steps in achieving our central mission – to make music therapy available to all who need it”

On 5th November 2018, Emma Banks, Co-Head of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) London and chair of the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef committee, became the 27th recipient of the highly prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award. Banks, one of the most successful and respected talent agents in the business, represents a host of major artists and has paved the way for women across the industry. 

To date, the Music Industry Trusts Award has raised almost £6million for Nordoff Robbins and the BRIT Trust. It has earned it’s respected place in the entertainment industry due to the great names that have held this honour including Sir George Martin, Ahmet Ertegun, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Sir Lucian Grainge CBE, John Barry OBE, Kylie Minogue OBE, Sir Tom Jones, Gary Barlow OBE, Annie Lennox, Michael Eavis CBE, Simon Cowell and Roger Daltrey CBE.

The award dinner was hosted by BBC radio and television personality Alice Levine, the honour was presented to Emma by her long time client and close friend Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

During the evening, the audience enjoyed performances by Florence Welch, Beth Ditto and Texas - all artists who have worked with Emma over the years.

A unique tribute film, featuring contributions from such superstars as Tenacious D, Kylie, Florence Welch, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Peter Mensch, Arcade Fire, Hozier, HAIM, Charlie Puth, Katy Perry, Kraftwerk, Mike Greek (CAA), Norah Jones, proved the high regard that Emma is held in.

Attendees on the night included Beth Ditto, Bobby Gillespie, Florence Welch, Adrienne Warren, Apl De Ap and Taboo, Nadine Shah, Naughty Boy, Emma Hatton, Sharleen Spiteri, Alice Levine, Mary Portas and The Script. 

Emma follows last year’s honouree Rob Stringer and joins the ranks of previous recipients including Kylie Minogue OBE, Sir Lucian Grainge, Ahmet Ertegun, Simon Cowell, Michael Eavis CBE, and Annie Lennox OBE.
 
Celebrating its 27th year, the Music Industry Trusts Award is recognised as one of the true benchmarks of achievement in the UK music business. Sponsored by Ingenious, PPL, SJM and Spotify, the event continues to benefit Nordoff Robbins and the Brit Trust year after year.
 
Emma’s current roster of artists is second to none, including Katy Perry, Arcade Fire, Florence + The Machine, Kylie Minogue, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lorde, among many others. Recent signings include Green Day, Muse, HAIM and Paramore, proving that even after nearly 30 years in the business, she is still a formidable force.
 
Thank you to everyone who has supported our work through this event and congratulations to Emma Banks on her incredible achievement.

On 5th November 2018, Emma Banks, Co-Head of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) London and chair of the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef committee, became the 27th recipient of the highly prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award. Banks, one of the most successful and respected talent agents in the business, represents a host of major artists and has paved the way for women across the industry. 

To date, the Music Industry Trusts Award has raised almost £6million for Nordoff Robbins and the BRIT Trust. It has earned it’s respected place in the entertainment industry due to the great names that have held this honour including Sir George Martin, Ahmet Ertegun, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Sir Lucian Grainge CBE, John Barry OBE, Kylie Minogue OBE, Sir Tom Jones, Gary Barlow OBE, Annie Lennox, Michael Eavis CBE, Simon Cowell and Roger Daltrey CBE.

The award dinner was hosted by BBC radio and television personality Alice Levine, the honour was presented to Emma by her long time client and close friend Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

During the evening, the audience enjoyed performances by Florence Welch, Beth Ditto and Texas - all artists who have worked with Emma over the years.

A unique tribute film, featuring contributions from such superstars as Tenacious D, Kylie, Florence Welch, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Peter Mensch, Arcade Fire, Hozier, HAIM, Charlie Puth, Katy Perry, Kraftwerk, Mike Greek (CAA), Norah Jones, proved the high regard that Emma is held in.

Attendees on the night included Beth Ditto, Bobby Gillespie, Florence Welch, Adrienne Warren, Apl De Ap and Taboo, Nadine Shah, Naughty Boy, Emma Hatton, Sharleen Spiteri, Alice Levine, Mary Portas and The Script. 

Emma follows last year’s honouree Rob Stringer and joins the ranks of previous recipients including Kylie Minogue OBE, Sir Lucian Grainge, Ahmet Ertegun, Simon Cowell, Michael Eavis CBE, and Annie Lennox OBE.
 
Celebrating its 27th year, the Music Industry Trusts Award is recognised as one of the true benchmarks of achievement in the UK music business. Sponsored by Ingenious, PPL, SJM and Spotify, the event continues to benefit Nordoff Robbins and the Brit Trust year after year.
 
Emma’s current roster of artists is second to none, including Katy Perry, Arcade Fire, Florence + The Machine, Kylie Minogue, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lorde, among many others. Recent signings include Green Day, Muse, HAIM and Paramore, proving that even after nearly 30 years in the business, she is still a formidable force.
 
Thank you to everyone who has supported our work through this event and congratulations to Emma Banks on her incredible achievement.

We’re delighted to announce, alongside sponsors SSE, that even more outstanding nominees and performers have been added to the roster for the 20th SSE Scottish Music Awards on 1 December in Glasgow’s SEC. 

In a special addition for the 20th year celebrations, Annie Lennox and Susan Boyle will join the ranks of Scotland's greatest artists in being awarded the Scottish Music Hall of Fame Award, which is sponsored by the Royal Highland Centre.

Eclair FiFi is nominated for Electronic Music Award sponsored by Sub Club + BAaD Glasgow – (Ricky Scoular, Brian Traynor, Natalie Traynor and Norrie Innes) are nominated for the Evolution Award sponsored by Sunday Mail.

These incredible artists will join an amazing line up of performers on the night, featuring Snow Patrol, Mark Knopfler, Amy Macdonald, Tom Grennan and Kyle Falconer. The event, which raises money annually for Nordoff Robbins Scotland, will be hosted by Sanjeev Kohli – and includes a drinks reception, three-course meal and exclusive after show party.

Find out more and book tickets here: https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/sse-scottish-music-awards

See how our music therapy is changing lives, as our beneficiaries and their families share their experiences and talk about how music has helped and empowered them.

Music therapy can help a child with autism to communicate, reduce anxiety for a person living with dementia or provide comfort for someone facing a terminal illness. In 2017 we reached more people in more places than ever before, delivering music therapy to 7,916 vulnerable and isolated people, with 29,725 music therapy sessions.

Ahead of The Good Estate Agency Charity Art Ball, which has raised over £30,000 for our life-changing work over the past three years, we caught up with the event’s founder and organiser, Howard Ratcliffe, to find out what part of the evening he's most looking forward to, why the event is so important and what music means to him. Here's Howard in his own words:

What does music mean to you?

Music means a lot to me, as it does to so many people. Whether it’s listening to music whilst getting ready in the mornings, in the car to and from work, attending a live gig, re-living a memory or just relaxing on an evening, music is with me daily and I couldn’t do without it! But seeing my two boys, Harry 6 & Jack 4, listening, singing and dancing to Michael Jackson & George Ezra - their two favourite singers, and getting so much joy from this probably means the most to me of all. 

How has music changed your life?

Music has changed my life through so many fantastic experiences. Memorable live concerts from Pink Floyd at Earls Court in 1994, Luther Vandross at Manchester GMex in 1995 through to The Gipsy Kings at The Royal Albert Hall last year and most recently Guns N’ Roses at Download Festival this year - as you can see I have a wide appreciation of music! Over the last 4 years I’ve learnt more about Nordoff Robbins and seen the wonderful work their music therapists carry out helping to change people's lives. Through raising funds and awareness for the charity, music has changed my life once again. 

Name a song that has significance to you. 

It would have to be my all time favourite song, November Rain by Guns N’ Roses. I must have listened to this song a thousand times, it reminds me of my younger days as a teenager, mesmerised by the epic music video, having long hair (yes, I was once guilty!), ripped jeans & leather jackets and good times with my friends. I think I secretly wanted to be Axl Rose! He’s still got it, by the way. He was amazing this year headlining at Donnington!

Tell us why you think The GEA Ball is such an important event.

The GEA Ball is now the biggest, privately organised fund raising event for Nordoff Robbins outside of London. We have raised over £30,000 for the charity over the last 3 years, doubling the amount raised year on year from the first event we held back in 2015…no pressure this year! It will obviously be very difficult to continue to double the amount raised year on year, however it would be absolutely amazing to match the £20,000 we raised last year. Fingers crossed - we will certainly be doing our very best to do so!

Why is it important to support Nordoff Robbins’ music therapy through this event?

By attending, sponsoring or participating in this event, you are doing your bit to help raise funds for this wonderful, music therapy charity. All our guests & sponsors play such a vital part and without their support, the event could not happen, but special mention has to go to all the artists who donate a painting to the charity auction on the night. They have collectively put in hundreds, perhaps thousands of hours creating such stunning pieces of work and to so kindly donate their paintings to raise money for Nordoff Robbins is simply amazing - thank you from the bottom of my heart to every artist who has donated a painting to this year's, and previous years’ events. 

What part of The GEA Ball are you most looking forward to?

I thoroughly enjoy the whole evening. From the stunning Aston Martin cars on display by Aston Martin Wilmslow on arrival, the Raymond Weil pop up display of beautiful Swiss watches, the 50-piece Greater Manchester Rock Choir, the stunning exhibition of approximately 100 paintings by some of the North’s leading artists, singer Alexander Stewart and 8-piece band Beat Syndicate with lead singer Sally Dawson, our two brilliant hosts BBC Radio 6 Music Presenter Chris Hawkins & Manchester’s very own Nik Maguire, the charity auction and raffle, the DJ set by Manchester music legend Clint Boon, photo booth, a superb 3 course meal in the sumptuous surroundings of the 5-star The Lowry Hotel and all in such great company, what is there not to enjoy? It is going to be another memorable night!

The GEA Art Ball is an annual event that raises vital funds for Nordoff Robbins' life-changing music therapy. Held this year on 16 November at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, the ball features an exhibition of the region's biggest named artists, with entertainment from Manchester's very own Alexander Stewart and striking eight-piece band Beat Syndicate, the world's largest contemporary choir, Rock Choir, and DJ set by XS Manchester's Clint Boon.

Find out more about the GEA Art Ball here.

Headphone Challenge Ts & Cs

We’re delighted to announce the launch of the The Music for Healthy Lives Research and Practice Network on 9 November, which we developed in partnership with The School of Music at the University of Leeds. The Network was launched at the Society for Education and Music Psychology Research (SEMPRE) conference with the following mission statement:

Recent research has demonstrated that musical experience can have a positive impact on the overall health throughout one’s lifespan. This research has influenced the publication of the All Party Parliamentary Group publication of the Arts and Wellbeing strategy in 2017. Music promotes a sense of belonging, can regulate emotions and engage the brain, increasing social, mental and even physical resilience that can increase the likelihood of living healthy lives.

The Music for Healthy Lives Research and Practice Network is committed to providing further evidence to support the existing knowledge in this area, to promote and connect music practitioners to healthcare providers; and to increase cooperation and collaboration between the members of the network.

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 The main objectives of the network are:

• To connect music and health practitioners to share knowledge and practice
• To unify strengths to amplify the impact of our collective research and practice
• To develop music and wellbeing provision and match this to the health needs of the population
• To identify shared goals and challenges
• To develop meaningful research questions grounded in practice
• To provide opportunities for Continuing Professional Development

Following the launch, our Head of Research, Craig Robertson, reflected that the conference was: “Highly relevant to Nordoff Robbins’ commitment to engaging with the wider music research community. The network was very well received, with expressions of commitment given by new partner organisations, and there was a palpable enthusiasm for our proposed ethos of sharing, openness and collaboration.”

We were well-represented at the conference with our Head of Research, Craig Robertson, Director of Music Services, Dr Simon Procter, Head of Training, Allison Hornblower and Head of Music Services, David Robinson in attendance, along with collaborators from the School of Music in Leeds. Simon also took part in the closing panel for the conference, where he shared his expertise in this field.

Visit the Music For Healthy Lives website to find out more. 

This Christmas, please support our life-changing music

Last Christmas was Ali’s first in the UK. He was forced to flee his home in Iran fearing for his life after facing severe persecution.

Escaping was the only way to retain any hope for the future, but it came with a heavy price. "When I first arrived," Ali tells us, "I felt so lost and lonely. Life was so difficult that I even thought about suicide, because I missed my home and my family so much." 

Ali first heard about Nordoff Robbins at the Croydon Refugee Day Centre he was attending. He jumped at the opportunity of having music therapy, and never missed a drop-in session.  Over time, our music therapist Kerry got to know Ali well. She discovered his huge passion for playing electric guitar and for heavy metal - music which is outlawed by the Iranian regime.  

Please consider donating this Christmas, to help us reach more people through music therapy

Kerry and Ali share their story

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“In the beginning of our work together, Ali was very anxious that his application for asylum was going to be rejected and that he would have to return to a country where he was experiencing persecution. His distress was reflected in his music making - his playing was very fragmented and he found it hard to concentrate.” 

Through music, Kerry was able to help Ali experience a sense of meaningful connection, which increased his focus and helped to reduce the isolation he felt from being alone in the UK. Kerry fostered Ali's passion for music, giving him access to an electric guitar, and the opportunity to make music together.

At first this wasn't easy, as Ali tells us: "I felt constantly anxious and worried that I would not be accepted for asylum, and be sent back to Iran, where I would be persecuted. But soon, in music I started to feel more focused and confident. I was finally able to express myself in the way I had always wanted to – letting go of my fears and worries.”

Over time, Ali and Kerry began working on arrangements of songs he loved. Ali was invited to play at a concert during Refugee Week in June this year, and again at a Nordoff Robbins concert later in the summer. It was a positive experience for Ali and as Kerry tells us, "It was fantastic seeing so many members of the audience come up to him afterwards to compliment him on his playing, and to see the change in his confidence as a result.”

Music has given Ali the opportunity to connect to others, and to be valued in doing so. In a situation where Ali felt like he didn’t have a voice, music has given him the chance to be heard.

Please help us to change more lives through music by donating today

Ali has found hope for the future

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"What I went through will leave its mark. But I am not here to talk and for you to cry. I am here to tell you how powerful music is.

"I have got to where I am thanks to Kerry, and Nordoff Robbins. And it is thanks to everyone supporting the charity, that people like me get to re-build our lives with the help of music."

This is the power of music, and testament to how it can change lives for the better
 

Ways to support us this christmas

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Buy your Christmas cards from Paperchase this year and support our life-changing music therapy

Season's greetings? More like tweetings! This year our charity Christmas cards feature a lovely little hat and scarf-wearing robin!

50 pence from the sale of each pack proudly goes to Nordoff Robbins, to support our life-changing music therapy.

A few details:

• Each card measures approx. 150 x 150 mm.
• Message inside reads "merry christmas".
• Suitable for letter post.
• Printed on FSC approved materials.

Buy your cards here 

Boxing legend Prince Naseem and Olympic champion Nicola Adams were honoured at the annual Nordoff Robbins Boxing Dinner, which raises vital funds for our music therapy. We once again teamed up with incredible Nordoff Robbins supporters, Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren and BoxNation, to host an exciting evening of Championship Boxing on 19 November, at the London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane.

The prestigious ‘Nordoff Robbins Boxing Icon Award’ was handed to multiple world champion Prince Naseem in celebration of his glittering career, who was joined in the ring to accept the award by Frank Warren, Nordoff Robbins supporter Danny O'Donoghue from The Script, Anton Du Beke and Paul Martin of Blou Construction. The ‘Special Achievement Award’ went to Olympic champion Nicola Adams OBE, proudly recognising her tremendous contribution to the sport itself, and the representation of women in boxing.

Celebrating its ten-year anniversary milestone, the event raised £120,000 in aid of Nordoff Robbins, which will help us to change the lives of even more vulnerable and isolated people across the UK.

Guests were led through the evening by BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing veteran Anton Du Beke, with an exclusive live performance from the legendary Suggs, of Madness fame.  

The event featured title-fight boxing, which included a clash between Boy Jones Jnr and Welshman Craig Evans for the vacant WBO European Lightweight championship, with Evans taking the victory.  

Forget your Xmas Jumper! Our friends at Everpress are running an awesome fundraising campaign to support Nordoff Robbins this Christmas.

You can buy one of four Christmas Karaoke themed tees (long or short sleeved), each desgined by a different artist. 

50% of all profits raised during the campaign will go to supporting our life-changing music therapy!

You can get yours here: https://everpress.com/nordoff-robbins-christmas-karaoke

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FORGET YOUR XMAS JUMPER! OUR FRIENDS AT EVERPRESS ARE RUNNING AN AWESOME FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT NORDOFF ROBBINS THIS CHRISTMAS.

You can buy one of four Christmas Karaoke themed tees (long or short sleeved), each desgined by a different artist. 

50% of all profits raised during the campaign will go to supporting our life-changing music therapy!

You can get yours here: https://everpress.com/nordoff-robbins-christmas-karaoke

Earlier this week, the fourth annual Nordoff Robbins Classical Quiz took place. The event was organised by the BPI Classical Committee and PPL, and sponsored by the BPI and raised just over £6,000 for our life-changing music!

For a second time, the quiz was won by the team from Universal Music UK, captained by Senior Metadata Manager, Jonathon Bird. They finished narrowly ahead of Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine, who came second and third respectively in a contest of 20 teams.

The Flamingo Room in O’Neill’s Wardour Street was full to capacity as the new venue for the quiz.  Some 150 attendees demonstrated their classical knowledge and generously supported a raffle boasting prizes that ranged from premium opera and festival tickets, hampers and champagne to the traditional mountain of CD and DVD box-sets kindly donated by the always- generous record labels and other supporters.

The quiz was compiled by Gramophone Editor-in-Chief James Jolly and included guest presenters for the first time – clarinettist Julian Bliss and pianists Lucy Parham and Charles Owen, who contributed to a video-round of piano concerto introductions (without the sound!). The compère was again Jeremy Elliott.

As part of the evening, staff member Roque Collante spoke to guests about Nordoff Robbins, explaining how the money raised will help to support our vital work. The quiz has contributed over £16,000 to our life-changing music since it was first staged in 2015, and is now firmly established as an annual fixture in the classical music calendar.

‘Moving on With Music’ is a songwriting project for young adults transitioning into adult palliative care from specialised children’s services. It was developed in 2016 by Nordoff Robbins Scotland in collaboration with CHAS, the Children’s Hospice Association of Scotland.  

The beneficiaries involved have been working with our music therapist, Jo Edgar, to create their own piece of music which they performed at a showcase event celebrating their compositions, achievements and identities.

Reflecting on the project, Jo said:

“The songs that have emerged from the ‘Moving on With Music’ project are all so different.  They provide a representation of our beneficiaries unique identities, their determination and their resilience.  I hope that this project instils the confidence for these young people to go out and engage with the wider community, discover new possibilities and realise their potential.  It has been an absolute privilege to support our beneficiaries through this project.”

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The SSE Scottish Music Awards, held on 1 December and hosted by Sanjeev Kohli, honoured some of the biggest names in music while raising an incredible £95,000 for Nordoff Robbins' life-changing music therapy across Scotland.

The 20th anniversary of the awards saw Annie Lennox and Susan Boyle honoured by being inducted into the Scottish Music Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Royal Highland Centre. Mark Knopfler was presented the Living Legend Award sponsored by Raymond Weil, while Snow Patrol were named SSE Artist of the Year.

Receiving her award, Susan Boyle told guests: "I'm very humbled and pleased...I'd like to congratulate Nordoff Robbins on their anniversary. Thank you so much, I will treasure this."

Annie Lennox said, "I'm so proud of the work that Nordoff Robbins does and all I can say to you is thank you, thank you, thank you."

A moving moment came early on in the evening, when Nordoff Robbins Chairman David Munns took to the stage to give thanks to Donald MacLeod, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee for Nordoff Robbins Scotland, for his huge commitment to the charity, and presented him the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Nordoff Robbins Scotland.

The Script won Best International Artist sponsored by Specsavers, Frightened Rabbit were awarded the Song Writing Award sponsored by King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, and Gary Clark received the Music Business Award sponsored by the Sir Reo Stakis Foundation. Éclair Fifi was presented the Electronic Music Award sponsored by Sub Club, Kyle Falconer won Best Album sponsored by Hard Rock Cafe, The Snuts were awarded Breakthrough Artist sponsored by Rekorderlig Cider, while Tom Grennan was named Best UK Artist Award sponsored by ROX – Diamonds & Thrills.

Guests were also treated to stand-out performances by amazing artists including Amy MacDonald, Snow Patrol, The Snuts, Tom Grennan, the Hyyts and the Lomond and Clyde Pipe Band.

Concluding the evening, Donald MacLeod, said: "We saw some incredible performances and truly can't thank everybody enough - the work we have done here will support music therapy and those who need it across the country. Thank you once again for helping us achieve our goals."

SSE Scottish Music Award Winners:

Susan Boyle: Scottish Music Hall of Fame Award sponsored by The Royal Highland Centre
Éclair Fifi: Electronic Music Award sponsored by Sub Club
Kyle Falconer: Best Album Award sponsored by Hard Rock Cafe
SWG3: Evolution Award sponsored by The Sunday Mail
The Snuts: Breakthrough Artist Award sponsored by Rekorderlig
Annie Lennox: Scottish Music Hall of Fame Award sponsored by The Royal Highland Centre
Snow Patrol: Artist of the Year Award sponsored by SSE
Mark Knopfler: Living Legend Award sponsored by Raymond Weil
World Pipe Band Championships: Glasgow UNESCO City of Music, Best Live Event Award
Kevin Bridges: Ticketmaster Tourmaster Award
Gary Clark: Music Business Award sponsored by The Sir Reo Stakis Foundation
Frightened Rabbit: The King Tut's Wah Wah Hut Songwriting Award
The Script: Best International Artist Award sponsored by Specsavers
Tom Grennan: Best UK Artist Award sponsored by ROX – Diamonds and Thrills

Nile Rodgers and Chic performed an exclusive set at our annual Carol Service, held this year on Tuesday 11 December. 

With readings this year from Clarke Peters, Michaela Coel, Bill Nighy and performances from award-winning concert pianist - and Nordoff Robbins Ambassador - Nicholas McCarthy, and the incredible Caroline Redman Lusher, Director and Founder of Rock Choir, the annual event played host to a number of celebrity guests who joined in the festivities to raise funds for our life-changing music therapy.

Before the final carol of 'Hark the Herald' Angel Sing, audience members couldn't help but dance as they enjoyed an exclusive performance from Nordoff Robbins supporter, Nile Rodgers and CHIC, guest-joined by 2018 X-Factor Stars Misunderstood and Acacia and Aaliyah.

Among music legends, Nile Rodgers amplifies his legacy as a multiple GRAMMY-winning composer, producer, arranger and guitarist by constantly traversing new musical terrain and successfully expanding the boundaries of popular music. His work in the CHIC Organization and his productions for artists like David Bowie, Diana Ross, and Madonna have sold over 500 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide. Nile Rodgers and CHIC most recently released their first new album in 25 years, “It’s About Time” which garnered a Top 10 debut on the UK album charts.

This year's Carol Service raised over £80,000 to support our life-changing music therapy - our huge thanks to all performers and attendees for making the night such a success.