We can hit the high notes with your kindness and Nordoff Robbins

What do Emeli Sandi, Dougie Maclean, Annie Lennox, Barbara Dickson and Wet Wet Wet have in common?

They’re all massive supporters of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland.

So are Biffy Clyro, Twin Atlantic, Amy Macdonald, Simple Minds, Paul Weller…The list of bands, musicians, singers, songwriters and industry figures who support NR is huge.

The support, though, is not just limited to musicians or bands, nor is it just in Scotland where Nordoff Robbins is represented.

It is also active in the rest of the UK and has an international network, with music therapists around the globe from New York to Australasia and the Far East.

But what is Nordoff Robbins? What is music therapy? What does it do? Why am I banging on about it? Why should you care or help?

Nordoff Robbins is a national charity dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children and adults.

Based on the innovative and inspirational work of its founders Paul Nordoff and Clive Robbins, its highly trained therapists use music to reach out and help those suffering from a range of challenges such as autism, dementia, mental health problems, stroke, brain injury, depression or terminal illness.

It is a way and means of trying to improve the quality of life of its clients and also their families using the power of music.

And everyone knows there is a massive power and energy in music, no more so than at this time of year when Christmas carols and festive hits of yesteryear are stirring our memories or whipping up our emotions (especially Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas, which seems to be on repeat).

NR music therapists harness the power of music to address all manners of physical and behavioural difficulties, as well as develop their clients communication and social skills and try to increase their creativity, self esteem and build their confidence.

The reason I’m banging on about NR is that in Scotland I am their fund-raising chairman, a position I take very seriously, and it would be a bit shabby of me if I didn’t mention them in my column or plug The Scottish Music Awards The Tartan Clefs which take place next Saturday at The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow, and is our biggest fundraiser of the year.

It’s an event that not only celebrates those who contribute to Scotland’s rich musical heritage, but one which I hope raises enough in funds and donations to keep our bases open and make sure music therapy is still available for those in need, whether in hospitals, hospices, day care centres, schools or care homes.

And like all charities Nordoff Robbins Scotland could not exist if it weren’t for the continued generosity of the general public.

It really is invaluable and if we are to find the £20,000 we need to build a new base in Aberdeen, allow our services to be made available for all throughout Scotland and continue to meet our annual running costs of £600,000 a year then that support must continually be asked for.

So if you’re feeling generous, if you have a few quid lying about and don’t know what to do with it, if you’re sick of the banks wasting your money then Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland would be only to happy to take it off your hands.

Sadly making music to transform lives is expensive and without real government intervention and financial support then it is you, the general public, that I again ask for help. Every note counts, as they say.

To find out more and/or make a donation visit nordoffrobbinsscotland.org.uk.