A four-week evening course with Nordoff and Robbins (held at the RNCM in Manchester) for anyone curious about music therapy, no experience needed

Course information, at a glance:

Dates: Wednesday 4 November, Wednesday 11 November, Wednesday 18 November and Wednesday 25 November 2026
Time: 6-8pm
Where: Royal Northern College of Music, 124 Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9RD 
Cost: £170 (concessions £85 for students, proof of student status required, as well as people who are unemployed or on low income)
Just 12 places: Learn with a small, supportive, like-minded group!


This introductory four-week evening course will help you explore music therapy through the Nordoff Robbins person-centred approach. You'll gain an understanding of how music therapy works today, and how the practice has developed over the last half-century. Exploring your own relationship with music along the way, you'll discover the key elements of how music therapy works and can help in a range of settings.

Week by week, you will...

Learn about the origins of the Nordoff Robbins approach to music therapy, and the ideas that shaped it
Discover what our work looks like in the different environments we work in such as care homes, Special Educational Needs schools, hospitals, hospices, day centres
Explore real life stories and discover the core skills and principles music therapists rely on
Reflect on the role of music in human development, culture and society
Have the opportunity to experience music-making in a group


By the end, you'll walk away with:

An understanding of what music therapy is and how it works
A new lens on your own relationship with music
A sense of where to go next if you want to explore music therapy further – whether that's applying to train as a music therapist, using music more confidently in your own life or work, or simply a lasting interest


Who's the course for?
Anyone curious about music therapy, including people considering applying to train as a music therapist. No formal musical training or prior knowledge required, just an open mind!

Your tutors
Your tutor for this four-week course will be Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapist Charlie Hawkins, who has six years of practice in settings including SEND and mainstream education, and inpatient mental health services. She will be joined each week by guest Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapists.

Cost of the course
The four-week course costs £170, with a concessionary rate of £85 for students (proof of student status required), as well as people who are unemployed or on low income. Please don't let the cost stop you from enquiring, if you're experiencing financial difficulties, get in touch and we'll talk it through. 

Find out more
You can find out more about the course and our music therapy work on our website. Alternatively, if you have any questions please email charlotte.hawkins@nordoff-robbins.org.uk

Description

The Royal Northern College of Music stands as a significant cultural asset on Manchester's Oxford Road, a conservatoire of international repute that extends its reach far beyond academic pursuits. It functions as a vital hub for musical performance, drawing discerning audiences and emerging talent from across the nation and beyond, contributing profoundly to the city's artistic landscape.

Within its purpose-built structure, the atmosphere shifts from the quiet anticipation in the foyers to the focused intensity of its performance spaces. The Concert Hall, recently redeveloped, offers a refined setting where the rich acoustics allow every note to resonate with clarity, while the plush seating invites a comfortable immersion in the unfolding artistry.

Practical considerations are well-addressed, with all public areas of the College designed for step-free access, ensuring ease of movement for all visitors. A welcoming café and bar provide refreshments, and the venue is readily accessible via Manchester's extensive public transport network.

Throughout the year, the College presents a diverse and ambitious programme. Audiences can experience everything from grand orchestral concerts and intimate chamber recitals to full-scale operatic productions and contemporary jazz performances, showcasing both established artists and the exceptional abilities of its student ensembles.