Janet Graham facts for kids

Janet Christine Graham, born on June 4, 1948, is an English composer and music therapist. She creates music and also helps people through music. She is known for starting new music therapy programs that have helped many people.

Janet Graham's Life and Career

Janet Graham was born in Consett, a town in County Durham, England. She studied how to create music, called composition, at the Royal Academy of Music. This was from 1966 to 1970. After her studies, she started teaching piano. She also kept composing music and learning from another composer, Elisabeth Lutyens. In 1978, two of her musical pieces were chosen for a special event called the BBC Young Composers' Forum.

Becoming a Music Therapist

In 1986, Janet started helping out at a musical evening. This was held every two weeks at a local hospital that helps people with mental health. This experience led her to become a music therapist. A music therapist uses music to help people improve their health and well-being.

Janet trained for two years at the Nordoff Robbins Centre in London. In 1990, she became a music therapist. She worked there for 17 years, helping people and teaching others. In 2007, she moved to Nordoff Robbins North East. There, she became the Head Music Therapist.

Helping People with Music

At Nordoff Robbins North East, Janet Graham started many new music therapy projects. She led courses in hospitals and care homes. She worked a lot with children and adults who have autism. She also helped older people who had dementia. Music therapy can help people communicate and express themselves.

Janet retired from music therapy in 2013. After that, she started composing music again. She also began playing music with local groups.

Janet Graham's Musical Works

Janet Graham has composed many different pieces of music. Here are some of her selected works:

• Pieces for organ: No.1, Prelude
• Pieces for organ: No.2, Lament
• Pieces for organ: No.3, Toccata
• North East Hauntings. 1. Snow Sky
• North East Hauntings. 2. Sea Mist
• North East Hauntings. 3. Lullaby for Lost Skylines
• North East Hauntings. 4. Red Dust
• Quartet for flute, violin, viola and cello
• Evening Flights
• Soliloquium
• This Great and Wide Sea
• Persephone
• Crux
• Epitaphs
• Diversitas
• Atque in perpetuum
• Cras amet
• When I Was Young
• The Light
• Ca' Hawkie through the water
• Cradle Song
• Eighty Notes for James
• Quest
• Earth Cry
• Tractor and Plough
• From Dusk to Dawn
• Two Winter Songs
• Two Christmas Motets
• Until the Sunset Hour
• Iris
• Hecate
• Four Pieces for Four Bass Clarinets
• Canta mihi aliquid
• Three Pieces
• String Quartet No. 4

Her music has also been recorded and released on CDs. One example is:

• Contemporary Music for Organ Performer: Kevin Bowyer, Audio CD (March 23, 1999) Nimbus Records, ASIN B00000IGNJ