Music was my first love

Catherine Preston, co-founder of The Berwick Baroque Players and conductor of the Golden Square Singers

From her earliest days, Catherine seemed destined for a life in music.

Aged just five, she was inspired by a musical nun who taught at her school in Hull and at 12 she discovered her ideal instrument — the flute.

Now, after a successful academic career in music, largely in higher education in north-west England backed up by a raft of qualifications including a doctorate in education and music, she landed in Berwick a few years ago, fulfilling a yearning to be by the sea.

In a short time she has successfully taken on the Golden Square singers as conductor as well as co-creating The Berwick Baroque Players, and playing in the Berwick Concert Band.

This is alongside performing in concerts around the UK and overseas as well as Northumberland and the borders.

“Music can transform people’s lives, whatever their age, and I’m just delighted to be involved, whether by teaching or taking part,” she said. “And it’s great that I can to do that in my adopted home town.

“There are so many brilliant musicians in Berwick — it really punches above its weight in that field— and there are great opportunities for people to learn from them or just enjoy their skills.”

The Berwick Baroque Players launched this year with a free concert in the parish church and the band is expanding as more people latch on to what it does and how accessible it is to newcomers.

Meanwhile the forthcoming reopening of the town’s old bridge is set to provide a fitting backdrop for another Dr Preston project later this year.

Catherine said: “The bridge was built in the 17th century when baroque music was just taking off so it will be great for us to be part of the celebrations.”