The O2 Silver Clef Awards, the music industry’s gala for music therapy since 1976, moved to an evening for the first time in 2025 and honoured David Gilmour.
Nordoff and Robbins held the 49th O2 Silver Clef Awards at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in Mayfair on Wednesday 2 July 2025, as an evening gala for the first time. Jonny Greenwood presented David Gilmour with the O2 Silver Clef Award.
The charity’s method began in 1959 at Sunfield Children’s Home in Stourbridge. There the American composer Paul Nordoff and the British special education teacher Clive Robbins used music-making to reach isolated children. Their 1977 book, Creative Music Therapy, remains a core text for students.
The charity was established in 1976, and at its first Silver Clef lunch that year, Twiggy presented The Who with the inaugural award. The awards have since raised more than £17 million, and David Bowie, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones are among past recipients.
Nordoff and Robbins is the largest music therapy charity in the United Kingdom.
Edith Bowman hosted the 2025 ceremony, and Gilmour said his relationship with the charity went back 50 years. Sophie Ellis-Bextor was named Best Female and Noah Kahan Best Male. The Corrs received the Legend Award, Rick Astley Outstanding Achievement and IDLES Best Live Act.
The evening raised £715,000 and counting.