20 November 2025
Newsdesk
Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, has announced that its prestigious O2 Silver Clef Awards will mark their 50th anniversary by being held at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the first time. The landmark ceremony will take place on the evening of Thursday, 9 July 2026.
The O2 Silver Clef Awards are the charity's biggest annual fundraiser and have raised over £17 million since 1976. These funds have been crucial in enabling the charity’s nationwide growth, which supported nearly 17,000 people through over 54,500 music therapy sessions in 2024. The event is a cornerstone of the music calendar, having previously honoured legends like David Bowie, Ed Sheeran, The Rolling Stones, and Sir Paul McCartney.
Adding to the momentous celebration, the Royal Albert Hall has announced Nordoff and Robbins as its official charity partner for 2026. This year-long collaboration aims to amplify the reach of music therapy, leveraging the Hall’s status as a global home for music to raise awareness and funds.
Joe Munns, Chair of the O2 Silver Clef Awards Committee, expressed his excitement, noting the importance of celebrating the milestone within the iconic venue's walls to raise vital funds: "This amazing event is now more important than ever for the charity."
The O2 Silver Clef Awards also welcome back O2 as headline sponsor, celebrating their remarkable 25th consecutive year of supporting the charity and its mission to use music to break through barriers caused by illness, disability, and social isolation.
The partnership between Nordoff and Robbins and the Royal Albert Hall will feature shared advocacy and creative events throughout the year, championing music’s role in health and social care. James Ainscough OBE, CEO of the Royal Albert Hall, called it a "real honour" to host the anniversary, ensuring the "joy and healing power of music reaches far beyond the stage."
