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.
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.
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
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.
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…
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!
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.
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.
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
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
Slade’s Don Powell has gathers up around 20 of his drumming mates for a new charity song to raise funds for out of work musicians and crew sidelined by the pandemic.
Slade II member Craig Fenney ran the original idea beside Don who recruited his mate, ELO’s Bev Bevan, and then watched more than a dozen other drummers come to the party.
Guest Drummers Brian Bennett: The Shadows Bev Bevan: Quill, ex Move, ex ELO, ex Black Sabbath Andy Edwards: Robert Plant, IQ, Frost, Rob Brian: Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds, Siouxsie Sioux Jamie Little: Jason Donovan, Beverley Knight, Steve Vai Karl Brazil: Robbie Williams, James Blunt Tom Meadows: Kylie Minogue, Girls Aloud, Jamie Morrison: The Stereophonics Craig Bacon: Gloria Gaynor, Nimmo Brothers Mickey Barker: Second Vision, Magnum, Bernie Marsden and KoM Derrick McKenzie: Jamiroquai Matt Cowley: Emily Capell, Bernie Marsden Lee Agnew: Nazareth Craig Blundell: Steve Wilson, Steve Hackett ’Sticky’ Wicket: Chris Barber, Jools Holland Richard Rayner: Multiple award winning percussion and drum performer Rebekah Rayner: Session drummer Toby Wilson: Session drummer Mark DeCloedt: EMF
The idea is to have a whole host of gigs/events mention via their social media posts the work of the Nordoff Robbins charity on and around the 8 February each year
Fifty Gigs In A Day 