Interview with Catherine Arlidge MBE

Q. How did you first get into music?

My first experience of music was at my state primary school in London. Everyone learned an instrument - and the music room doubled as the medical room I remember – it smelt of TCP! The teacher played us each a few notes on the piano and we had to say whether they were high or low notes and based on your score at that you got to learn the violin, cello. piano or recorder.

Q. What was your first experience of ‘formal’ music education

I have my first violin lessons at school and my teacher was called Mr Watmough - he was brilliant teacher who had many excellent pupils, some of whom have gone onto be professional musicians.

Q. What do you think you would be doing now if you didn’t have that experience?

That is a really tricky thing to imagine - how your life could have been different if you hadn’t had the experiences you did have. I always had an unusual interest in how cities work and what components you need to make a great city. I could have seen myself doing something perhaps to do with the role of the arts and culture in cities.

Q. You are already a world class performer - why have you chosen to add music education work to your career too?

Performing and teaching are 2 components of the same thing for me - sharing what you love with others. I don’t see a divide - they are just different ways of doing the same thing.

Q. What can primary teachers do to inspire their pupils to develop their interest / skills in music?

The experience of listening to and also participating in live music is key to instilling a passion in children. I am sure a large part of a passion for football for example, is that fans play or have played themselves. Inspiring is about opportunity - to listen, to sing, to play and to create. Finding practical ways to do this is the challenge. One thing I would say is don’t be afraid of the noise - music is noisy!

Q. What musical projects have you got coming up that our readers’ pupils could get involved with?

Stringcredibles are regularly performing in schools and we also have 16 apprentices this year out and about. I am presenting a CBSO schools concerts based on the Firebird on 27th June, Pre school Notelets concert on 8th & 9th March on a Circus theme, and a Family concert on 2nd June based on Travels in Time.

Catherine at Buckingham Palace after receiving her MBE

Catherine Arlidge is a ‘portfolio’ musician, performing many roles including Artistic and Educational Director of the National Children’s Orchestras of GB, CBSO Violinist, Concert Presenter and founder member of The Stringcredibles. In January 2014 Catherine was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society and The Association of British Orchestras’ Salomon Prize, for devising numerous projects which connect young people with classical music.’ In January 2016 Catherine was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s honour list, for services to music education.