Katie Clemmow joined the London Mozart Players in 1991
Where else do you teach/play?
Have played with all the major London Orchestras. I teach at Harrow School, Watford Girls Grammar and Lockers Park schools.
Where were you born?
London.
How old were you when you started playing, and why did you take up the oboe?
About 13. My father had wanted me to start the clarinet, but the school orchestra needed an oboe and I preferred the sound. For some reason, my sister was allowed to start the violin earlier and I remember feeling very jealous. Later she announced she had always wanted to play the cello!
What has been your most fun/interesting musical experience so far?
Playing duet and two-piano repertoire with my sister when we were growing up. We used to play for hours with the family cat perched on one of the pianos as our audience. The oboe was not as popular – if I even touched the case the cat would instantly flee the room!
Who have you enjoyed working with the most and why?
Impossible to answer. Among many: Roger Norrington with Kent Opera early in my career; London Winds (directed by Michael Collins) doing wind octet repertoire; Rozhdestvensky doing large symphonic repertoire.
Do you play any other instruments?
Piano – did joint principal study at the RAM. Got frustrated with limited repertoire due to small hands and hearing my sister play the Brahms pieces I wanted to play, but was fortunate to study with Gordon Green and Christopher Elton from whom I learned a great deal.
Do you have any hobbies you manage to fit into your spare time?
If I had any spare time, I would be reading, mountain walking, gardening and playing the piano. At present, any ‘spare time’ is spent studying.
Where is your favourite holiday destination?
Mull, or various mountainous regions of Scotland.
What's your favourite sound?
Next to silence, probably a robin or a mountain stream.
What would you do if you weren’t a musician?
I am qualified in Swedish massage and Indian head massage. I am also halfway through training to be a Cranio-Sacral Therapist.
