HOWARD'S 26 PIECE CHALLENGE
Howard Dyer is raising money for Nordoff and Robbins
Story
Since lockdown, playing music has been a tremendous source of joy, solace and reflection for me. Most of my professional life as a musician has been concerned with teaching so I do not consider myself a concert artist but I want to reach out to my friends and family at this time through music, which those of you who know me will understand has been my life.
So, what is my 26 Piece Challenge? Over the next 26 days, beginning tomorrow: Sunday, 26th April, I intend to perform 26 pieces of music - one per day - and post them on FaceBook and YouTube. I may play them on flute, on piano, sometimes on both at the same time. Occasionally, the music may be spontaneously improvised. I invite you to connect with me and with the wonderful charity for which I would like to raise money for a couple of minutes each day.
Nordoff-Robbins is a charity that uses music to enrich the lives of people with life-limiting illnesses, disabilities and feelings of isolation. From helping a person with dementia reconnect with their family to helping a child with autism to speak for the first time, the results can be truly life-changing.
Nordoff-Robbins is a wonderful charity that really needs our support as coronavirus severely threatens its financial future.
There are some excellent clips of the charity’s work on YouTube so do check it out. You will see the staggering and beneficial effect of the tremendous work done and, I am sure, will feel that we must do what we can to ensure this charity survives and continues to improve the quality of peoples’ lives through music.
If you are able to make a donation, however large or however small, not only would I be extremely grateful but you would be enhancing the quality of vulnerable people’s lives not just in the present but in and for the future, which is a wonderful gift deserving of boundless gratitude.
Nordoff Robbins is the largest independent music therapy charity in the UK, dedicated to changing the lives of vulnerable and isolated people. It supports thousands of people in its own centres and by working in partnership with a wide range of organisations including care homes, schools and hospitals. When delivered by a trained practitioner, music therapy can help a child with autism to communicate, reduce anxiety for those living with dementia or provide comfort and celebrate the life of someone facing terminal illness.