Nordoff & Robbins MMT Newcastle Cohort ‘21, mic drop! We blinked and somehow 2 incredible, enriching, challenging, life-changing years went by. I feel so privileged to have navigated this music therapy journey with a newfound family, amazing tutors, and inspiring placements!

It's been an interesting day. We will build a better future without caps or cuts to aspiration and opportunity.

Another dark day for music education. GCSE entries now under 30k nationally. A huge and significant drop...again. Let me take you back a bit to revisit some important work with colleagues ISM and Dr Gary Spruce

This! The power of music to change lives is much talked about but it doesn't happen out of thin air. It relies on a skilled, passionate, properly paid & healthy workforce to weave its 'magic'. The status & support to the profession needs raising and nurturing #MusiciansCensus2023

Less than a week to go until 1 October deadline for applications for £1k RaymondWilliamsFndtn self-organised adult learning grants - don't miss out!

📢We're recruiting for a #MusicianInResidence at HMP Springhill 🎸This is an exciting role for a versatile musician who is passionate about supporting others 🎤 Full details ▶️bit.ly/MiRSpringhill

“Intense, special and life changing, with friendships that will last a lifetime” 🎓 Huge congratulations to our incredible Master of Music Therapy graduates from Manchester and Newcastle who graduated today! 👏

🚆Trainline profiteering from passengers and ticket office closures RMT hit out today at trainline for relentless profiteering at the expense of passengers, taxpayers and the ticket office closure programme. 🧵 #SaveTicketOffices rmt.org.uk/news/trainline…

"This is extraordinary work for any musician who yearns for their music to make a difference to others." Simon Procter has written a brilliant article for Music Teacher about his journey to becoming a music therapist musicteachermagazine.co.uk/other/article/…

Really devastating news. I was SO incredibly lucky to grow up in Birmingham’s rich cultural scene. The arts opportunities as a child are 100% the reason I’m a musician now. Devastated for friends working in Brum and the future artists that could’ve been.

🗣️ Almost two thirds of people in destitution live with a chronic health condition or disability. Cutting people’s eligibility for benefits won't help. The PM's speech was an irresponsible war of words on people who already aren’t getting enough support. bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politi….

Excited for two packed days on breath, music and music therapy at the Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, Poland, and thrilled that a group of Nordoff and Robbins Masters students from the UK has come with me. Great opening keynote from Guy Fincham, PhD on breathwork RCTs.

"Scrapping the two-child limit is one of the most effective ways of lifting children out of poverty”, WBG's director tells The Guardian. "There are voices from across the political spectrum, the churches, anti-poverty organisations, women’s organisations, all making the same point.”

Fabulous news - our wonderful ‘I Can Play with Brass Roots’ project (with ⁦Shepherd Brass Band)⁩ has been shortlisted for the 2024 ⁦Brass Bands England⁩ Band Project of the Year Award! ⁦York Music Hub⁩ ⁦The Press⁩ ⁦⁦Arts Council England, North⁩ bbe.org.uk/news19062024-0…

A warning for those keen to hand the NHS to corporate vultures. Profiteering caused substantial increase in patient infections, falls and adverse events. Private equity controlled hospitals lead to poorer health outcomes, higher costs for society. nih.gov/news-events/ni…

Why is #artseducation in schools important? My new open access paper. Thanks to Jimmy Rotheram (@musicedu4all.bsky.social) and Gomersal Primary Art and all the RAPS schools for their inspiration. link.springer.com/content/pdf/10…

Academic journals are a lucrative scam – and we’re determined to change that | Arash Abizadeh | The Guardian theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

Classical music IS often elitist & exclusionary. But this is very different – skilled, sensitive, young musicians bringing a highly engaging & sociable musical genre that’s rarely heard outside expensive concerts to public libraries in normal opening hours. Worth supporting.