Primary Music Magazine
Issue 3.1 Spring 2019
Interview: 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 â 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 âformalâ 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 didnât have that experience? That is a really tricky thing to imagine - how your life could have been different if you hadnât had the experiences you did have. I always had an 50 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.
