‘Catherine Arlidge is not only one of our most inspiring, valued and unstinting musicians but also one of our strongest and most idealistic personalities’ – Sir Simon Rattle
Catherine combines a career as Sub Principal Second Violin with the CBSO with the role of Artistic and Educational Director of the National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain. First and foremost a violinist, she has a busy performance schedule, alongside which she has responsibilities for curriculum, programming and artistic collaborations at NCO. Passionate about connecting new young audiences to classical music, she also creates and presents concerts for Families and Schools for orchestras across the UK.
In January 2014 Catherine became the first violinist – and only the third ever recipient – of the Royal Philharmonic Society and the Association of British Orchestras Salomon Prize, a prestigious award celebrating the outstanding contribution of orchestral players to the UK’s musical life.
She is currently Board Member of the Association of British Orchestras and has presented at conferences internationally.
In 2016 Catherine was awarded an MBE in the Queens’s New Years Honours list, for her services to music education in Britain.