Nordoff–Robbins music therapy
Nordoff–Robbins music therapy is a type of creative music therapy developed for use with individuals with psychological, physical, and/or developmental disabilities. It was developed in 1958 by American composer and pianist Paul Nordoff and British special education teacher Clive Robbins.
Approach and application
The method draws on ideas from Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophy, and emphasises active engagement in music-making in an aim to support communication, self-expression, and personal development. Sessions typically involve composing music, including improvisation using instruments or voice. Training programs based on the Nordoff–Robbins approach are offered in several countries, with established centers in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, and South Africa.History
Before the establishment of The Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy, Robbins was employed in a special education role at the Sunfield Children's Home, a UK anthroposophical residential facility for children and adolescents with intellectual and emotional disabilities. He was interested in alternative treatment approaches for disabled youth.At the time, Nordoff was a teacher at Bard College in New York and took a sabbatical to perform his musical compositions and improvisations. Robbins and Nordoff met in 1958 when Nordoff performed at the Sunfield Children's Home. After witnessing the effects of Nordoff's performance on the residents of Sunfield, Robbins and Nordoff began collaborating on a new form of music therapy, which would become the Nordoff-Robbins approach.