Event headline act, Jamie Cullum wowed the audience at the annual fundraising Christmas carol service for Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea on Tuesday 10 December. He was supported by soul singer and songwriter Lemar and original East 17 member Tony Mortimer, who performed a special rendition of Stay Another Day with the Latymer Prep School Choir. The event raised over £60,000 and counting for the music therapy charity.
Jamie Cullum delighted guests by walking down the aisle while singing an acapella rendition of ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ before taking to the piano. He then performed his own Christmas songs ‘Beautiful, Altogether’ and ‘Hang Your Lights’ – complete with audience participation.
Tony Mortimer celebrated the 30th anniversary of the iconic Christmas number one hit that he wrote, Stay Another Day, with a piano performance accompanied by the Latymer Prep School Choir and Nordoff and Robbins music therapy client, 17-year-old Ruby, playing the bass guitar. Lemar closed the service with soulful renditions of The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole and his 2003 hit, Dance (With U).
Event host and Smooth FM presenter, Angie Greaves was joined for festive readings by actor Jemma Redgrave, who shared ‘Good will to Men – Give us your Money’ by Pam Ayres and television and radio presenter Tinea Taylor, who read Luke, chapter 2. The audience joined in singing a variety of classic Christmas carols including O Little Town of Bethlehem, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Ding Dong Merrily on High.
Long-time supporters of Nordoff and Robbins, Carrie and David Grant spoke about the real and critical impact that music therapy has.
Carrie Grant said: “Music can transform children’s access to society. When you see the therapy sessions take place and you see a music therapist work with a child, and you see that child sing or speak for the first time, you realise what Nordoff and Robbins is doing is not just transformative in that moment but it will transform their family, their life, their environment and therefore their access to society.”
The couple introduced a heartfelt speech by 17-year-old Ruby’s mum, Bev. Ruby lives with autism, ADHD and a complexity of mental health issues, and finds that music therapy gives her a safe space to express herself when she needs it most. Bev said: “Poor mental health and intrusive thoughts can touch anybody’s life, but music can help in so many ways. It’s the power of that music that holds us together, makes our memories and heals our heart. It’s music that saved my beautiful girl.”
Previous performers at the much-loved annual event include Kaiser Chiefs, Sugababes, Nile Rodgers, Emeli Sandé, Sir Rod Stewart and Robbie Williams. It costs Nordoff and Robbins £8.1m a year to operate, and with costs rising across the board and demand for the charity’s services higher than ever, the money raised from the Carol Service will help Nordoff and Robbins to continue its vital work with children and adults facing extreme life challenges, including mental health problems, dementia, autism, physical injuries, disabilities and terminal illness. The more than £60,000 raised will help to fund over 750 music therapy sessions.
In 2023, Nordoff and Robbins music therapists held 49,129 therapy sessions reaching 13,776 individuals throughout the year. The charity also worked with 389 partner organisations such as schools, care homes and hospices to provide much needed music therapy.
Sandra Schembri, CEO of Nordoff and Robbins said: “What a fantastic evening. I’d like to share my gratitude for everyone who played a part in making this year’s Nordoff and Robbins Carol Service such a memorable and enchanting event. From the performers, guest readers and hosts to the exceptional musicians, choir and wonderful audience, everyone played an important part in helping us to create a truly magical night. A huge thanks too, for the generous donations. Charities like us are facing challenging times and it’s fundraising events like these that mean our dedicated music therapists can continue their important work, using the power of music to create space for people to express themselves and find connection in society. It was a special night that will help us to make a lasting difference.”
Stay Another Day will be released by London Records on a Limited Edition ‘ice clear’ 7”vinyl for its 30th anniversary on 13 December via east17.lnk.to, and the label will donate £1 of every sale to Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy.
Continuing the festive celebrations and fundraising, cardfactory has partnered with London Records and Tony Mortimer to launch a special edition ‘Stay Another Day’ Christmas card in its 1,000+ UK stores and online at cardfactory.co.uk. The card is priced at £1.49 with 25p from the sale of each card donated to Nordoff and Robbins.
Supported by integrated marketing agency big group, the star-studded event helps Nordoff and Robbins to continue to break down barriers through music therapy, helping people from all walks of life to connect, communicate and be truly present through music.
