Local musicians perform at Spring Sing in Nottingham in aid of Nordoff and Robbins

All Spring Sing performers stand united in their love for music and their belief in the power of music therapy.

Music echoed through St John’s Church on Mansfield Road in Carrington as the community gathered for the third Spring Sing fundraiser in support of music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins.  

The event took place on the evening of Saturday, March 29 and brought together more than 60 attendees.  

It comes ahead of National Music Therapy Week, which runs from April 10 to 15 each year, a week dedicated to raising awareness of the vital role music therapy plays in improving lives.  

Lindsey Lukehurst, a 70-year-old, semi-retired acupuncturist and member of The Kitchen Table Band, was the driving force behind this year’s event.  

Lindsey Lukehurst, a member of the Kitchen Table Band and the main organiser of the Spring Sing, radiates joy as she shares her love for music and the community.

Whilst setting up for the evening, Lukehurst showed a strong admiration for Nordoff and Robbins, she said: “The way the charity works with people and the positive impact it has is so wonderful.  

“It’s sad that people don’t understand the role of music in a therapeutic way, they only see it as listening and enjoying it, but it’s so much more than that.” 

Nordoff and Robbins is the UK’s largest music therapy charity focused on harnessing the power of music and breaking barriers caused by life limiting-illnesses.  

Stringummyjig – Noel, Phil, Graham, and Mick delighted the crowd with their lively folk music performance.

Some of those performing at the event were groups of lifelong friends who had been playing together for many years.  

One such group was The Kitchen Table Band, a collective of friends and relatives brought together by a shared love of music.  

The band featured Lukehurst herself, her daughter-in-law Katy, retired teachers Kev and Jo Delaney, and Phil Mountain, a regular on the local folk scene.

From left to right: Jo, Lindsey, Katy, Kev, and Phil – the Kitchen Table Band performing at the Spring Sing.

Kev Delaney, 71, of Tavistock Avenue, Nottingham, said the group had been playing together for 20 years, he said: “We started off just playing for fun, but it’s events like this that remind you how powerful music can be when shared.” 

Another member of the band, Katy Lukehurst, 44, of Rufford Road, Sherwood, described the bond she and other members of the band shared over artists such as Carole King and James Taylor.   

From left to right: Katy, her son Rowan, 5, and her sister Sarah Askew, 40, sharing a special moment together at the event.

She said: “The band formed quite literally around Kev and Jo Delaney’s kitchen table, hence where the name comes from.  

“For the performance this evening, we’ve chosen a mix of joyful and sad songs, as that is what we feel best represents our lives recently.”

The evening featured various familiar folk songs as well as original music by performers such as Julia Disney, a 38-year-old music teacher from Stourbridge who returned live to perform for the first time since starting a family.  

Julia Disney captivated the audience with her original music, performing heartfelt songs including ‘Underneath the Tree’ at the Spring Sing.

Julia said: “I believe that everyone is musical, because we all have a heartbeat that allows us to connect with music.” 

Many in the audience were familiar faces from Nottingham’s folk club scene, including 70-year-olds Maurine and Martin, of Red Hill, Sherwood, who came along to support their friends and enjoy a relaxed evening of live music. 

Husband and Wife, Maurine and Martin, sit at the back of St John’s Church enjoying the live music.

All the attendees pictured sat enjoying the evening.

Audience members sang along and enjoyed a selection of homemade cakes and sandwiches, kindly provided by various attendees. 

Nordoff and Robbins were contacted for comment but did not respond in time for publication.  

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Nordoff and Robbins is dedicated to enriching lives through the power of music. With over 60 years of experience, they provide tailored music therapy sessions to individuals facing challenges such as disability, illness, or social isolation.

In 2024, they delivered over 54,654 music therapy sessions across the UK, partnering with 391 organisations and reaching 16,979 individuals.

Discover more or support their mission at https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/