Music brings us closer together. Music can be made and enjoyed by anyone. And at times like this, the connectivity that music brings is more important than ever.
Whether it’s listening, creating or performing, we truly believe that the shared experience of music will help bring us together.
We have created a number of musical resources and activities aimed at people of all ages and abilities and we’ve made a playlist of our singalongs and On Stage at Home with Clangers videos you can use to help stay connected and upbeat 🎶
For this live stream we’re doing ALL COVERS with a Taerk Twist! Make sure you send in your song requests in the discussion, and tune in on Sunday May 31st to see which covers we play!
I want to take this opportunity to update you about what has been happening at our music therapy charity, Nordoff Robbins.
Like many other charities, we are being severely impacted by the current Coronavirus outbreak and national lockdown. Given the vulnerable people we work with we have had to temporarily stop all our face-to-face music therapy provision to protect their health and that of our staff. But we know for many of those we support we are a vital lifeline for social connection, mental health and well-being. So we are exploring ways we can provide some form of music therapy remotely online as quickly and safely as possible.
More than ever we are seeing that making music matters; it can unite people and lift spirits in a way few other activities can, helping people connect with themselves. And so we are doing everything we can to respond to the growing need in our communities for ways to help people cope with social isolation and maintain their mental well-being. As well as trying to move our therapy online where appropriate, we’re also developing virtual online choirs and creating digital resources for people to make music together at home, including an exciting collaboration with the children’s TV show, Clangers. You can learn more about these resources below.
However, the rapid shutdown of society has caused massive financial pressure on charities like ours. The situation has forced the cancellation of most of our fundraising activities for the next few months at least, which means we have no income coming in at the moment.
We have joined the rest of the charity sector under the banner #NeverMoreNeeded to campaign for more financial support from the Government to help charities survive this crisis. Anything you can do to add our voice to this will help.
I understand how everyone is juggling so much at the moment, so I’d like to thank you for your continuing support during these times. Keep safe, keep making music and keep connecting.
Kind regards, Sandra Schembri CEO Ways Nordoff Robbins can help you during this timeOn stage at home with The Clangers – We’re excited to announce the launch of our collaboration with children’s TV show, Clangers, called On Stage at Home. We’ve created songs with our music therapists and Clangers to get young children to connect through making music – using homemade instruments, movement, body percussion and voice. Suitable for all abilities, watch the first two videos today.Find out more
Singalongs – Last week we launched Singalong with a bit of rock n roll. This week, we’ve got some exciting Queen for you to give a go. Great for all ages and music lovers, these are songs you can sing to and make music with our music therapists. Find out more Online choir – Our online choir is running every Tuesday at 4pm. Everyone is welcome to join in and find support in music, regardless of experience or ability. If you’d like to get involved or know someone who would, sign up today here.Find out more Other ways you can support Nordoff RobbinsGivergy Prize Draw – We’re hosting an exciting prize draw over the next few weeks. From just £5 a ticket you could win prizes from a signed Johnny Marr pedal, an Arsenal shirt signed by the team and a bundle of Marshall equipment.
Not only will you have the chance to win some great prizes, but by entering, you’ll also help to raise vital funds for us. Every ticket sold from this prize draw will help us safeguard the future of our charity, and crucially, allow us to be there for people who need us most. Enter prize draw United We Stream – People around the world can enjoy Greater Manchester’s art and culture through a new website streaming live music and performances every night, with 8% of funds raised coming to us. Live every night from 7pm, it’s free to access (but with donations welcome). Help spread the world and tell all your friends and family. Find out more Graeme Park lunchtime clubbin’ – Every Friday from noon to 2pm renowned international DJ Graeme Park is streaming live, playing Hacienda Classics and raising money for Nordoff Robbins. His first two sessions have raised over £1000! Tune in every Friday using the button below. Tune in to Lunchtime Clubbin As usual, please let us know if you have any feedback. You can do this by responding to this email.
Stay safe and speak again soon, The Nordoff Robbins team
Milton Hide – Sunday 19th April Bluebell Roots – Sunday 26th April Exclusive Preview Watch the video on Sunday 19th April Despite being in lockdown, we have managed to get a lot of friends and family to take part in a new video for our latest Milton Hide single. The single, Kindness, and the video will be officially released next weekend but you can see a special Preview of it tomorrow, Sunday 19th April, during our live-stream broadcast.
Go to the Milton Hide Facebook Page at 7.30pm and look for the LIVE video. We’ll be performing a few songs, having a chat and showing (through the wonders of technology… fingers crossed) the video. It is GORGEOUS, a real feel good short film put together by the talented Alex Thomas, with lots of familiar faces. Hope to see you (virtually) then. Bluebell Roots Tune in to the Bluebell Roots Facebook Page on 26th April at 7.30pm for an online version of our monthly event.
This time we are using a new service (StreamYard) which should make for a better experience for viewers than last month – you won’t have to keep refreshing the page and Neil can do his MC bit between acts. Please do tune in and support the musicians.
Musicians, if you’d like to take part, send Jim an email during the week on info@bluebellroots.co.uk and he’ll get you set up – it’s simpler than facebook live. Stay healthy, happy and well! Regards, Jim and Josie Milton Hide We have a new NEWS page on the website on www.miltonhide.com/news
I’m teaming up with GRTR! again and my brothers and I are taking over their Facebook page April 26th 4pm (EST), 9 pm (BST) for another Facebook Live Stream Concert!
If you missed the first one you can listen again on Mixcloud or watch on Facebook
THE DARKER MY HORIZON release a new charity single ‘Carpe Diem’ for the NHS on April 24.
New video! If we are to #SeizeTheDay it’s always better with friends! All monies raised by the digital single (out 24th April) goes to #NHS charities. #TDmHfamily#HRHRadio
Vocalist Paul Stead is doing an acoustic gig this Saturday April 18 between 7pm and 8.30pm, hosted by Rockers Through The Ages. You can find out more here
“We are soooo looking forward to connecting again this evening!! In celebration of togetherness we are dedicating this weeks gigette to the wonderful Nordoff Robbins music therapy charity in appreciation of their amazing work and the support they are offering at this difficult time. See you later with love from Clare and John xx”
With the current coronavirus pandemic it has affected live music like never before, with artists seeing their live revenues disappear, plus the related venues all close for now and many people associated with the music industry also losing their jobs and income. Coupled with this charities have seen their fundraising diminished as we all socially distance and events are cancelled.
But it is not all doom and gloom as musicians are rapidly adapting with live streaming gigs, Q&A’s, although it will only go some way to replacing the sales from merchandise. Charities are adapting too, with Nordoff Robbins hosting various events including streamed live from their music therapists.
So I am going to ‘piggy back’ on bands/artists doing gigs to see if they will kindly promote the wonderful work of the Nordoff Robbins charity, along with of course the bands/artists kind enough to mention the charity. Plus I will also be highlighting the work of NHS Charities Together as they help support the NHS workers, their families and the volunteers.
If any band/artists (including authors!) would like to join in please feel free to contact me.
Below are the bands/artists that have kindly joined in to date. Either by dedicating a streaming gig to Fifty Gigs In A Day/Nordoff Robbins and/or kindly mentioning Nordoff Robbins on their social media. Please visit their pages and give them a listen & support. Thank you
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