Nordoff and Robbins announce 50th Anniversary

19 November 2025 - Press release

O2 SILVER CLEF AWARDS IS TO BE HELD AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL ON THURSDAY 9 JULY, 2026

NORDOFF AND ROBBINS ANNOUNCED AS ROYAL ALBERT HALL’S OFFICIAL CHARITY PARTNER FOR 2026

O2 RETURN AS HEADLINE SPONSOR, CELEBRATING THEIR 25th CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF SUPPORTING THE AWARDS  

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW HERE

 

Today (Wednesday 19 November), Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, have announced their prestigious O2 Silver Clef Awards will take place, for the first time ever, at the Royal Albert Hall in London in celebration of their 50th anniversary, on the evening of Thursday 9 July 2026.

The O2 Silver Clef Awards is Nordoff and Robbins’ largest annual fundraising event. Since 1976, it has raised over £17 million for the charity, becoming one of the highlights in the music calendar. Across five decades, funds raised from the event have played a key part in fuelling the charity’s growth from a London-based operation delivering music therapy to hundreds of people, to a nationwide organisation that supported almost 17,000 people through over 54,500 music therapy sessions in 2024, partnering with 391 organisations including schools, hospitals and care homes across the UK.

Legendary artists who have received O2 Silver Clef Awards and supported Nordoff and Robbins over the years include David Bowie, Annie Lennox, Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Paul McCartney, George Michael, Kylie Minogue, The Rolling Stones, Oasis and Coldplay.

O2 returns as headline sponsor for 2026, its 25th year of supporting the awards.

Joe Munns, Chair of the O2 Silver Clef Awards Committee, said: “We are so immensely proud to be hosting the 50th anniversary of the O2 Silver Clef Awards at the Royal Albert Hall. We’ve had the great privilege of giving these prestigious awards to many legendary artists over the years, and what better place to celebrate even more superstars than a venue that’s equally as iconic. With over 150 years of history and heritage, we’re honoured to be marking this huge milestone within its walls, while raising vital funds for Nordoff and Robbins. The current fundraising climate is challenging for us all and costs continue to increase across the board, so this amazing event is now more important than ever for the charity. We hope to see you at the Royal Albert Hall next July for a night that will be remembered for years to come.”

In addition to hosting the 2026 ceremony on 9 July, the Royal Albert Hall has announced Nordoff and Robbins as its official charity partner for the year. Building on Nordoff and Robbins’ six decades of pioneering music therapy and the Royal Albert Hall’s role as a global home for music and culture, this collaboration will use music to build bridges between stage and society.

Through shared advocacy, events and creative partnerships, together they will raise awareness and funds to expand music therapy delivery for vulnerable people across the UK, engage artists and industry leaders, champion music’s role in health and social care and call for its integration into wellbeing strategies. They will also celebrate the power of live music to unite communities and promote research and education, showing how music can support recovery, communication and connection - from concert halls to care homes, classrooms to clinics.

James Ainscough OBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Albert Hall, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be announcing Nordoff and Robbins as our official charity partner for 2026. We will be collaborating with their brilliant team across a number of projects and events throughout the year, to ensure that the joy and healing power of music reaches far beyond the stage, and making music therapy as accessible as possible. It is a real honour to be hosting the O2 Silver Clef Awards on such a landmark anniversary. It is always a monumental night in the music industry calendar, and certain to be even more memorable as we celebrate the wonderful work of Nordoff and Robbins and the 50th year of the awards.”

Sandra Schembri, CEO of Nordoff and Robbins, said: “This landmark year-long partnership with the Royal Albert Hall is a crucial step in advocating for music therapy to have the platform it truly deserves within the wider health and social care ecosystem. By working with partners, we can amplify just how beneficial music therapy is for people nationwide, and deliver more music therapy to those who need it the most. We are incredibly grateful to the Royal Albert Hall for their support and look forward to celebrating 50 years of the O2 Silver Clef Awards with them within the partnership year.”

Last year’s O2 Silver Clef Awards ceremony, which raised over £715,000, enough to pay for over 8,900 music therapy sessions, saw David Gilmour collect the O2 Silver Clef Award, with other winners on the night including Sophie Ellis-Bextor (Best Female), Noah Kahan (Best Male), The Last Dinner Party (Best New Music), AURORA (Contemporary Music Award) and IDLES (Best Live Act), among many others.

Gareth Griffiths, Director, Partnerships and Sponsorship, O2, said: “We’re so proud to support Nordoff and Robbins through our amazing 25-years of partnership and look forward to another incredible O2 Silver Clef Awards where we recognise and celebrate such talented artists together. It will be a fantastic evening at an iconic venue and importantly O2 will help raise money for music therapy which supports thousands of people across the UK through the power of music.”

With a unique approach shaped by more than 60 years of practice, Nordoff and Robbins' trained music therapists use music to break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability, social isolation and mental health challenges, creating space for people to express themselves and find connection in society.

 

O2 Silver Clef Awards 2026 Table Pricing

• Platinum - £6,250

• Gold - £5,000

• Silver - £3,000

 

All tables are for 10 people. Tickets include a drinks reception with canapes, dinner and awards show. 

To find out more and enquire about buying a table, visit nordoff-robbins.org.uk/events/o2-silver-clefs/#table-enquiry.