Introducing our new principal clarinet… Katherine Spencer 28 July 2022
Katherine Spencer will be the OAE’s new principal clarinet. She succeeds Anthony Pay in the position.
Katherine is internationally renowned as a both an orchestral and chamber musician. In addition to her work with the OAE, she appears regularly with ensembles such as the City of London Sinfonia, Gabrieli Consort, the Irish Chamber Orchestra, the Galliard Ensemble and was a BBC Young Generation Artist. She was the then-youngest ever finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year when she was just 12: ask Beany, her mascot – she’s still resentful that she finished fourth, especially as the winner wore a sailor’s outfit. And if it weren’t for Elton John, she would have played at Princess Diana’s funeral… we’re not saying she’s still bitter about that, either, but he’s a banned musician in her house.
Katherine’s approach to performance is that she chooses to use music to serve. She cares greatly about the OAE’s participation programme, routinely working on projects with the OAE’s Education department in mainstream and special needs schools, and frequently bringing music to dementia patients, believing that music offers unique and increasingly-valued therapeutic respite.
"I first heard the OAE when I was 16 years old... From that moment on I made it my lifelong ambition that one day I’d play clarinet in the orchestra... Now I am over the moon to have been chosen by the members of the OAE to be principal clarinet."
On her appointment, Katherine said:
“I first heard the OAE when I was 16 years old. I was completely blown away by the sound and enthusiasm for the music. From that moment on I made it my lifelong ambition that one day I’d play clarinet in the orchestra. 10 years later I remember really clearly the phone call inviting me to play in Cosi fan tutte at Glyndebourne. I couldn’t believe my luck. Now I am over the moon to have been chosen by the members of the OAE to be principal clarinet. It is a huge honour to follow Tony [Anthony Pay]. He once asked me after a concert, “so what’s your big plan?” – I said “I want your job one day, Tony”. This is my wildest dream come true. I can’t wait for it to continue to keep enjoying that OAE sound and all their infectious enthusiasm.”
We’re thrilled to welcome Katherine to her new role. She is currently playing in Don Pasquale at Glyndebourne, and you can see her in action on our YouTube channel in the recent chalumeau-inspired The Night Shift that she fronted: watch her Introducing the Chalumeau video and the full performance.
