In Loving Memory of
Alan Rudkin
Alan Rudkin sadly passed away on 3rd September 2024. He had worked with us here at Nordoff and Robbins since 2011, having previously trained as a music therapist on our MMT course. Alan was a wonderful and exceptional music therapist, colleague, friend, mentor, leader and musician. He brought much love, humour, kindness and compassion to his clients and to those of us that were lucky enough to know him. Alan will be sorely missed and his loss felt deeply amongst us all.
These pages are a place for us to all share our memories, stories, songs, poems, photos, escapades and love of Alan, and to celebrate his life. This book will be shared with his loved ones.
Book Owner: Shelley Lindley
Book Size:Â 500 Messages
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Kerry Atchison
Sending my deepest condolences to all of Alan’s family and loved ones. It was always a pleasure to be in Alan’s presence and feel his warmth, compassion, gentleness and cheeky sense of humour – and to listen to his incredible music therapy work. He will be dearly missed by all of us. Kerry (NR)…
Brigitte Schwarting
The news just won’t sink in, I cannot believe that it is true that Alan won’t be part of the Nordoff & Robbins music therapy family anymore. I will never forget our Wednesdays at the Grange School, when he was one of my first placement students a long time ago, and arrived all the way over the Penines in Rusholme and worked with such commitment, humour and musicality in that setting with me, a baptism of fire when it came to individual sessions with his biting and scratching placement client. Alan has been a true friend ever since, – the last time I saw him was at the Northern Music Awards, which was such an extraordinary and joyful event! His musicality was wonderful, and together with his humanity and his big heart will have benefitted many, many people – in many different contexts. What a music therapist we have lost, but how much he will be remembered and loved forever!!…
MARY TYRRELL PLACE
It was in deepest part of lockdown, September 2020, when my inbox lit up with an email from Alan asking to work with us – “us” being The Kirkwood- a charity that supports anyone affected by a life limiting condition in Kirklees, West Yorkshire. His energy, cackle and passion for music therapy – as well as his obsession with Eurovision- had me hook, line and sinker. From that day, Fridays became the day that Alan brought joy and music into so many people’s lives- it started as virtual but then eventually he was allowed to come to our base at Dalton and support people and their families on the inpatient unit as well as push boundaries on people’s perception of hospice care with the creation of the inclusive singing group The Kirkwood Chorus. Alan championed a person centred approach and focussed on what was right with people rather than what was wrong with people. He created moments and memories that will stay with many families for the rest of their lives as their loved one approached the end of life. He brought people together in song – to laugh, to cry, to remember, to forget. We went on a…
Chris Dew
How you’ll be missed Alan. I always loved meeting up with you on my occasional trips Oop North, and at our various colleague get-togethers over the years, plus of course our time collaborating virtually on the think can do group during the pandemic years. There’s now an Alan-shaped hole in the world, and I will remember you with warmth and fondness as will so many others who’ve been lucky enough to know you X…
Charlotte Bailey
Sending my deepest condolences to Alan’s family and loved ones. It’s been hard to find the words that encompass the sadness and disbelief felt at the loss of such a special man; a man full of talent, compassion, wisdom and humour. Always with a twinkle in his eye. Alan was a perfect colleague – fun and easy to be around, always making time for everybody, and he was generous in sharing his work and experiences for others to learn from. He was bold and courageous, and also sensitive and caring. All of this shone through in his work which was always so inspiring to see. Rest in Peace Alan, you are missed so much x…
Katy Grainger
Alan – such a remarkable man – a beautiful friend, colleague and musician, who quite simply lit up any interactions that he was part of. He touched the lives of so many with his warmth, kindness, charm and humour. Alan – you are so sorely missed by us all. I am sending my love and deepest condolences to all of Alan’s family and frineds – and to everyone feeling his loss….
Kathryn Holt
I only met Alan a handful of times at N&R colleague get togethers in various locations, but he always greeted me like a long lost friend, with the biggest smile and even bigger hug. I think everybody should Be More Alan! xx…
Pam Thomson
Alan, you seemed to spread a twinkle of joy and warmth wherever you went and whatever the task. I feel so lucky to have met you, and privileged to be able to see some of your inspiring music therapy work. At colleague get-togethers, it was always just fun to spend time with you. It’s far too early to say goodbye, but you have brought so much happiness, connection and music to so many in your short time. Sending love and deepest condolences to all your family and friends. Pam xxx…
Dave Bacon
Alan was a wonderful and charismatic human being with a warm heart. I only had the pleasure of meeting him briefly on the visits to the north but every time he made you feel very welcomed and his musicianship and aura lit up every room. I send my condolences to his family and friends – we have lost a truly great person. …
Janet McLachlan
Sending love and strength to Alan’s nearest and dearest, and to everyone who is feeling his loss. Alan shone with joy and warmth, with a twinkle in the eye and a huge heart. What a spirit, and what outrageous fun. I’m going to miss him so much. With love, Janet xx…
Emma Butler
Alan was one of the people I remember most from my Nordoff Robbins training journey. He only came into it for me in my final year but it was during Covid times, where everyone seemed so scared and unsure about what we were doing. However, Alan just kept this coolness and calmness to what he was doing and it was just effortless for him to still connect with his clients over a Zoom call that I was present for, and his talents were out of this world. His reassurance and his support during my Zoom placement with him, and beyond that when we all went back in person to different places was just so much needed and I really appreciated his guidance and wisdom when it came to my confidence. It was such a shock to see the news about his sudden passing and my condolences go out to his family during this time. Thank you Alan for your music and being a ray of sunshine to everyone. So much love xxx…
Petra Stoffel
Dear Alan! Your moving on comes way too soon it feels. I had the privilege of meeting you on occasion after we had trained at NR at the same time, one in the North, one in the South. I vividly remember your bubbly, lively, and joyful character which no doubt was a blessing to your clients, colleagues, friends, and family alike. You will be missed, and we’re ever so grateful for the blessings you poured into this world through your life and work! Much love to you and to those you leave behind…
Jason
To Alan’s family and friends, I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of meeting Alan on a number of occasions across my tenure at Nordoff and Robbins and always found him to be charming, kind and full of joy. My enduring memory of him will be catching up at NoR Fest in 2022 at the Roundhouse in London. Sharing anecdotes in his cheeky yet reassuringly warm way, it was great to have a good chinwag as we got precious time together as a group of colleagues. I also had the privilege of catching up with him on the phone just a few weeks ago, as he was doing the business of making sure his colleagues have what they need to do the wonderful work here. I was of course, blissfully unaware that it would be the last time I’d get to speak to him, and thus am both grateful that I had the opportunity and crestfallen that he’s no longer with us, and more importantly, you. I can only imagine the acute sense of loss you must be feeling right now, and sincerely pray that you be comforted in the midst of your loss. Know…
Gill F-B
I only knew Alan from those rare occasions in Nordoff and Robbins where North got to mix with South but his work was always inspirational and his company warm, genuine and funny. The last time we met he had just had his astrology birth chart done and was astounded that I guessed he had a Leo ascendant – as if he could have been anything else! Alan, your star shone far too briefly but we will never forget your brilliance. Gill x…
Debbie Jones
I was so saddened to hear the news of Alans passing. My deep condolences go to his family and loved ones. I have lots of lovely memories of Alan. Firstly, seeing his inspiring work and also when he worked with my fellow students and me as part of the MMT. An exceptional musician and man. He was the person that rang me to tell me that I had got the job as a music therapist with Nordoff and Robbins, and I remember during the conversation I was overcome with emotion. He said something to me that I will never forget. Rachel Verney had said to him ‘To be a great music therapist you have to be a great musician and have a big heart.’ He then said ‘I think you have both of these qualities’. I thought it was so lovely of him to share this with me, and I will never forget it. RIP Alan. Thanks for the inspiration. …
