Salomon Prize for Catherine Arlidge

Friday 17 January 2014

RCM alumna Catherine Arlidge has been awarded the prestigious RPS/ABO Salomon Prize for orchestral musicians.

Sub Principal of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s second violins, Catherine has become the first violinist and third-ever recipient of the prestigious award, which celebrates the ‘unsung heroes’ of orchestral life.

Catherine has played with the CBSO for over 20 years, and was nominated by her fellow musicians and the orchestra’s management for her creativity, energy and “great skill for motivating and inspiring colleagues and for engaging with her audience”. She has been instrumental in initiating and devising many projects and ideas to engage young people in classical music.

Named after Johann Peter Salomon, violinist and founding member of the Philharmonic Society in 1813, the annual £1000 Salomon Prize is awarded each year to a musician who has shown commitment and dedication above and beyond the expected service asked by their orchestra.

The Award was presented to Catherine on stage at a CBSO performance at Warwick Arts Centre on Friday 10 January. The concert was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and is available to listen to now on BBC iPlayer (presentation at 1:25:12).