Nordoff–Robbins Music Therapy

The Nordoff–Robbins approach to music therapy is a method developed to help children with psychological, physical, or developmental disabilities. It originated from the collaboration of Paul Nordoff and Clive Robbins, which began in 1958, with early influences from Rudolph Steiner and anthroposophical philosophy and teachings. Nordoff–Robbins music therapy asserts that music therapy can improve communication, support change, and help people live more resourcefully and creatively. Nordoff–Robbins music therapy training programs exist in various countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, and Asia.

United Kingdom

Nordoff and Robbins is a registered charity in the United Kingdom and Scotland. The charity runs the Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Center in London and music therapy outreach projects. The charity runs post-graduate training courses in music therapy and a research program, with public courses and conferences.

Nordoff Robbins runs the annual Silver Clef Awards that raise money for the charity. In 2024, they launched the Northern Music Awards as a further fundraising initiative, holding the inaugural ceremony in Manchester.

United States

Founded by Clive Robbins and his wife Carol Robbins, the Nordoff–Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, opened in 1989. The center is affiliated with New York University's Graduate Music Therapy Program. The mission of the center has six main components:

# Providing music therapy services to people with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, behavioral disorders, developmental delays, sensory impairments, and psychiatric disorders.
# Offering advanced music therapy training.
# Conducting and publishing research. The center maintains an extensive archive that includes recordings and documentation of the work of Nordoff and Robbins (1959–1976). The archive is updated by contemporary clinical work. Ongoing research in clinical practice focuses on the role of improvisational music therapy in addressing the needs of clients with different areas of disability including autism spectrum disorder, stroke, and hearing impairment.
# Presenting lectures, workshops, and symposia to professional audiences.
# Publishing musical and instructional materials to in the clinical process and improvisation.
# Disseminating information and resources; serving as a resource for music therapists, students, the media, and the public. It provides consultant services, organizes seminars and workshops, and hosts over 150 visitors annually.

The Nordoff–Robbins training at Molloy College, established in 2010, is an approved Nordoff–Robbins program in the US. It is located at the Rebecca Center for Music Therapy at Molloy College, an outpatient center serving children and adults in the Long Island and metropolitan New York area.

Both training programs include assessment, archival coursework, clinical work, group music therapy, and clinical improvisation instruction.

References

External links

Nordoff Robbins website

EEUU: Nordoff - Robbins Center For Music Therapy''History of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy'', The Steinhardt School, New York University''Osbournes win Silver Clef honour''
''BBC News'', June 16, 2006

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Music therapy