Tag Archives: music

fundraising, news

VETERAN – AN ALBUM OF PIANO MUSIC BY RYAN YARD RAISING MONEY FOR PTSD RESOLUTION

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Ryan Yard: “I recently set up a YouTube channel for a hobby and was amazed by the number of wonderful people I have met. One of these was Russ Green and we began talking about his experiences with PTSD. As a musician with my own mental health issues I felt very passionate about combining my music with his cause. After discussing his links with PTSD Resolution it seemed like the perfect cause to raise money for.”

“I set to work composing music for an album that would be a gift to anybody that chose to donate and in the process offer beautiful music that could be enjoyed long after donations had been collected. I have enjoyed the process greatly as music is a form of therapy for me and if it can raise money for a good cause whilst offering joy and happiness to others then I feel I will have achieved my goal. The album will be available to download for those that donated May.”

Biography: Ryan Yard is a composer, pianist and teacher living and working in Shropshire. He holds a first class honours degree in composition and is a qualified teacher. He has recorded many studio albums influenced by the likes of Mike Oldfield, Jean Michel Jarre and Ludovico Einaudi. He has worked with many influential musicians and producers, including Tom Newman, Rob Reed and Les Penning. Ryan teaches piano and music theory as well as producing books and transcriptions.

Just Giving link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ryan-yard-1675076937101

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fundraising, mental health, news, News & Updates, Reading Half Marathon 2023, Running, Sobell House

Running the Reading Half Marathon 2023 for Sobell House Hospice charity

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2023 marks 25 years since I ran my first marathon – London marathon April 1998. To celebrate that milestone I know I can’t do a marathon distance now, however, a gentle(!) half marathon through the suburban delights of Reading finishing at their football stadium seems a perfect way to spend the first Sunday in April 2023 🙂

My last run was a 10K back in 2016 and I haven’t run properly in over 18 months. Let’s have one last race hurrah raising funds for the vital & caring work done by the Sobell House Hospice charity. 

Thank you for reading and any support gratefully received. 

Just Giving page

Sobell House website

Facebook page

I will aim to update on my training & fundraising (any ideas gratefully received!). I am currently back using the excellent NHS/BBC app Couch To 5k This time around listening to BBC Radio 1 DJ Reece Parkinson (don’t listen to Radio 1 I hasten to add!) as my ‘Mr Motivator’. he’s good but miss the dulcet tones of Michael Jordon.

Fifty Gigs In A Day, fundraising, mental health, music therapy, news, News & Updates, Nordoff Robbins

Nordoff Robbins – April update on all things music

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This month Music for Dementia and UK Music released the Power of Music Report which outlines a blueprint to use music to help transform communities and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing. We also share Richard’s music therapy story and serve up a new episode of Behind the Base with PizzaExpress.   
 
   
Power of Music Report  
Did you know music therapy reduces agitation and the need for medication in 67% of people with dementia? The Power of Music Report outlines some of the outstanding academic and scientific research which illustrates the true potential of music as a therapeutic and medical tool.   Read the report      
   
“He just began to flourish in music”   
Richard, a former singer, who suffered a life-threatening stroke last year, has rediscovered his voice thanks to music therapy sessions with Nordoff Robbins. Richard and his music therapist Jo spoke to ITV News Wales about the progress they made together.     Watch on ITV News     
   
Behind the Base with L Devine  
Behind The Base with PizzaExpress returns with yet another musical talent. This month L Devine talks about about expression through songwriting, her first relationship and music that had strong influence, later taking to the stage to perform “Daughter”.   
Watch this episode  
     
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust award Nordoff Robbins £4k    We are delighted to announce that we have received £4,000 of grant funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to support music therapy at Erskine Care Home in Anniesland in the West of Scotland.    Tell me more
     
 
   
fundraising, news, News & Updates

SHOWHEART for the Variety Childrens charity Feb 13-Feb 18

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ShowHeart - Online charity event 13-17 February

On Sunday 13 February at 16:00 EST/21:00 GMT Get Ready to ROCK! Radio will be relaying the latest Josh Taerk livestream which this month is part of a world-wide “streamathon” called ShowHeart.

Variety Ontario works with children with disabilities and those who face developmental barriers to achieve their life potential. Variety is a world-recognized leader providing integrated sports and life skills programs, applied research and learning programs that change children’s lives and strengthen communities.

Variety –the Children’s Charity of Ontario (VCCO) – as part of an international campaign  will be hosting their first-ever ‘ShowHeart’ Charity Concert Series.  This five-day international event will begin on February 13 and wrap up on February 18.

ShowHeart  will be hosted on the global streaming platform Twitch and will feature unique around-the-clock entertainment. With over 50 musicians/bands performing 24 hours a day for the entire five days.

Variety – the Children’s Charity has over 40 chapters across eleven countries. This event aims not only to educate communities across the globe but also to connect like-minded individuals. But it also provides a unique fundraising opportunity. As guests stream the event, they will have the opportunity to give donations by simply clicking the donation buttons that pop up on the screen.

Donate
ShowHeart – stream link
More information

mental health, music therapy

Anxious times in the office

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Music on my headphones helps me cope at work big time. Why? Well, in the office you can often only hear doom ‘n’ gloom which sends my mind off in a spin and scenarios overload. I am not a pessimistic person, just that my mind loves to work on worst case scenarios!

Office environments can be both good and bad from an anxiety point of view. Good in that you have fellow colleagues around to chat too and actually see in person, as opposed to on teams/zoom. Bad is the scaremongering, and often baseless ‘facts’, they chat about. That’s fine but it does affect others who may not be saying anything and instead worrying away on the inside.

Sometimes engage the brain before speaking… Boris take note 😉

Tune of the Day – Astral Drive  is songwriter and producer Phil Thornalley’s vision of a long lost album from the 1970s that only existed in his own mind. It is a wonderfully uplifting listen…

Fifty Gigs In A Day, mental health, music therapy, news, News & Updates

The Taerks Christmas Sunday session Sunday 12 December at 4PM EST/9pm BST

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Facebook event page

Plus broadcast live on GRTR! Radio

You better watch out, and you better not cry cause Taerkie Clause is coming to town! We’re doing a special Holiday edition of our GRTR! Sunday Sessions streaming live on Facebook and Get Ready To Rock! Radio!

fundraising, news

GYPSY PISTOLEROS bid for the Xmas No.1 & raising funds for Shelter

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GYPSY PISTOLEROS the swashbuckling renegade flamenco rock rumba punk ‘n’ roll pioneers are aiming for the Xmas No.1 spot with a cracking version of the world anthem, Livin la Vida Loca!

These sleazers are unashamedly going for a Christmas hit, with a Day of the Dead‘ inspired video which will be available very soon. This Xmas No.1 Campaign begins today (Nov 2nd, Dia de los Muertos Festival) and is fully released on 17th December. It is backed by the Guru of Xmas Hits Jon Morter. With all proceeds going to Shelter.

Be sure to join the party it’s gonna be a blast!

CLICK HERE TO STREAM LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA

Jon Morter is best known for his gatecrashing of the music industry in 2009 with his phenomenal Rage Against The X Factor campaign, sweeping Rap/Metal band Rage Against The Machine into the sought after UK Christmas No.1 spot.  This success opened the door for Jon to work on campaigns for some big artists in the industry including Nirvana, Sex Pistols, Rod Stewart, David Essex, a No.1 album for The Rolling Stones, AC/DC‘s highest-ever chart placing in the UK singles chart, Rik Mayall’s 2010 World Cup single (which incidentally Jon campaigned for again after Rik’s death making the UK No.7 in 2014), and the 2012 Christmas No.1 campaign for The Justice Collective.

Gypsy Pistoleros may be best described as being the ideal house band for the fictitious Titty Twister bar of Rodriguez’s From Dusk Til Dawn. Between the nods to Morricone’s tense, tumbleweed atmospheres and the Gypsy Kings’ manic Mediterranean energy, a New York Dolls raw glam spark and a surplus of prime G ’n’ R attitude!

The sound is flamenco & rumba in a head-on collision with punk/rock riffs, pounding bass and thrashing drums. The songs span madly in the best rock ‘n’ roll tradition with big hooks, attitude, and sleaze. Yet those flamenco breaks got into your head and refuse to leave – this unique hybrid rocks.

fundraising, music therapy, news, News & Updates, Nordoff Robbins

September update from Nordoff Robbins

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  Free online musical learning with FutureLearn  
There are two courses available, one focusing on learning more about music therapy and Nordoff Robbins, the other using music in a care setting. Amongst many other benefits, these free online courses could help you learn musical skills, understand the benefits of music and help the people you work with through using music.     Find out more about the online courses    
The Specsavers Scottish Music Awards returns in November
 

The Specsavers Scottish Music Awards returns on Saturday 13 November with performances from The Fratellis, Nathan Evans and Nina Nesbitt, live from Glasgow’s famous Barrowland.

And even if you’re not in Scotland, you can see some of Scotland’s finest musical talent and watch it live right from your home.     Find out how you can watch the SMAs    

Brand new epsisodes of our podcast out now  


Presented by DJ Chris Hawkins and music therapist, Louise Gregg, Three Track Therapy is all about the power of music.

With stars such as Frank Turner, Colette Cooper and more, each episode sees a different musician open up about the importance of music and the three tracks that have had the biggest influence on their life.     Listen to the latest episode today     Open evening for our Master’s this Thursday (30 September)  

If you’ve ever thought about a career in music therapy, or know someone who is interested, our open evenings are a great way to find out more and ask questions about the Master of Music Therapy programme, or the Sony Music Bursary.    Sign up to the online open evening    

On Stage at Home Live! is back for three online sessions  


On Stage at Home Live! is back for three more online musical sessions on Monday 11 October, Monday 18 October and Monday 25 October. And not only will music therapist, Emily, Tiny and Small Clanger be involved, but we have a very special guest coming along too. So if you have children under 5, or know someone that does, why not come along, sing, clap and make some music with us.   Find out more and sign up today    

Musical resources for your home  
We want to add musical value to your life, which is why we’ve created a suite of musical resources for you, your family or friends which are  inclusive and accessible to all. 

    Learn about our musical resources     As a charity we receive no government funding, so we rely on the generosity and support of people like you, our supporters. Here are a few ways you can help Nordoff Robbins and the people we help. Fund music for others – you can make a one-off donation or become a regular giver to Nordoff Robbins here. Share your music therapy stories – We would love to hear your stories of how music therapy has helped you or a somebody you know.

You can share your story here. Spread the word – We would love you to share our news with your friends and family and encourage them to sign up to our newsletter. We hope you stay safe and are looking after yourself.
The Nordoff Robbins team
fundraising, mental health, music therapy, news, News & Updates

New survey reveals how music has helped the UK survive lockdown

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According to a new survey published this week by UK Music and taken by pollsters Public First, music has played an integral role in reducing the stresses of the majority of UK citizens over lockdown.

It was the largest poll performed since the music industry’s initial closure back in March 2020, and was orchestrated to find out what role music played in the lives of the British public during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 The key findings of the wide-ranging poll revealed:

  • 57% of adults said music had helped them cope with lockdown
  • Around one million adults say they have taken up an instrument during lockdown
  • 71% think music makes them more productive at work/studying (From a personal perspective music & shows on BBC Sounds have kept me focussed at work & WFH. It helps my anxiety issues so much – in a good way!)

The Importance of Live Music & Venues To The Nation: 

  • Despite Covid-19, 43% of the public are interested in going to a live concert, gig or festival this year
  • Two-thirds (66%) said they planned to attend as many or even more gigs than before Covid-19 hit
  • Among 18-24 year-olds, 38% say going to a music festival or gig is one of the things they are most looking forward to
  • Almost half the public (45%) are worried about the financial viability of their local music venues due to the impact of Covid-19