UK MUSIC CHARITY ‘LIVE MUSIC NOW’ CELEBRATES 45 YEARS OF SOCIAL IMPACT WITH BBC RADIO 4 APPEAL PRESENTED BY CLEMENCY BURTON-HILL
Live Music Now musician Zoe Wren © Ivan Gonzalez
Live Music Now, the UK charity that helps excluded and disadvantaged people through performing music, will celebrate its 45th birthday later this month. Reaching over 85,000 people per year, Live Music Now musicians improve people’s health by performing in care homes, hospitals and other environments where people otherwise wouldn’t have access to live music.
Broadcaster Clemency Burton-Hill, a violin student of Live Music Now founder Yehudi Menuhin, will voice the appeal, and you can hear it on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 22nd May at 07:54 and 21:25, and again on Thursday 26th at 15:27. After suffering a life-threatening illness that left her comatose in 2020, Burton-Hill has emphasised the power of live music in aiding her recovery and that of others: “I know now even more profoundly that the work that Live Music Now does is invaluable.” She describes music as “a constant source of succour, solace and support” – the fact that her recovery has been aided by live music is testimony to its power and utility, and therefore also to the social impact and importance of Live Music Now.
Janet Fischer, CEO of Live Music Now, said:
“Music enhances health and well-being, improves communication and builds stronger relationships. As we celebrate our 45th birthday, Live Music Now is more committed than ever to helping participants engage and develop their musical identities.”
Sir Vernon Ellis, Chair of Live Music Now, said:
“In our 45th year, we’re reflecting on the ways in which we are evolving as an organisation to address, with partners, the growing needs for the type of work we do and the growing gap between needs and provision. We’ve come a long way since Yehudi Menuhin founded the organisation in 1977, and I am immensely proud of the way we continue to carry on his legacy in the work we do.”
Live Music Now creates engaging and interactive sessions enhancing health and well-being, improving communication and strengthening relationships within community settings in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; their sister organisation works in Scotland.
The charity plugs the gap in musical provision for children with additional needs and builds relationships with elderly people through Live Music in Care residencies. Clinical research shows that participating in live music has far-reaching mental health benefits, providing an expressive outlet and stronger sense of community for disabled children and people living with dementia or experiencing loneliness. The organisation trains and employs 250 professional musicians and, through initiatives such as Lullaby Project and All Together Now, supports young families and caregivers too.
Their 45th anniversary is a chance to build further support, increasing the scope of these activities. As well as the Radio 4 appeal, there will be a social media drive where Live Music Now encourages people to share their own stories of how music has helped them or someone they know through a difficult time.
Keep an eye on our social media accounts and join us in celebration by sharing your own stories. #LiveMusicNow45
Twitter @LiveMusicNowUK
Facebook @livemusicnow
Instagram @livemusicnowuk
Donate to our birthday appeal (and share your birthday wishes) here.
© Live Music Now