Our History
Below is a brief time-line that charts the major events in the development of the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy charity.
December 2007 sees the publication of a new illustrated book detailing the inspiring history of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, written by Fraser Simpson, the charity's Communications Manager. Click here for details.
1958: Paul Nordoff, a pianist and composer, and Clive Robbins, a special education teacher, met and discovered that they shared a passionate desire to use music to reach the most vulnerable children. For the next 14 years, with research funding, they devoted their lives to helping these children express themselves and communicate through music.
1974: The first full-time Nordoff-Robbins training programme in music therapy was held at Goldie Leigh Hospital in South London.
1976: The inaugural Silver Clef Awards Luncheon was held to raise funds for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. The Silver Clef event is now regarded as an important part of the annual music calendar and continues to enjoy the enthusiastic support of the UK music industry.
1980: Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy became a registered charity.
1981: The Charity opened its first Music Therapy Centre, located in Leighton Place, Kentish Town. This was the first Music Therapy centre to open in the UK.
1991: The specially designed new Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre, converted from a disused power station, was opened in Lissenden Gardens, North London by the Duchess of York.
1994: The two-year Master of Music Therapy (MMT) degree programme was launched.
2005: Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy celebrated its 30th anniversary. Today the charity has established itself as the largest music therapy charity in the UK, annually providing over 30,000 sessions for children and adults at over 50 projects throughout the UK. Nordoff-Robbins has also expanded beyond the UK, to become a globally recognised provider of effective music therapy. There are Nordoff-Robbins music therapists working in many countries throughout the world, and Nordoff-Robbins training programmes in the USA, Germany, South Africa and Australia.