The Antigua Team: Meet Poppy Beddoe
Poppy Beddoe looks forward to a musical exchange in Antigua
Poppy Beddoe looks forward to a musical exchange in Antigua
Working with the youth orchestra is one of the things clarinettist Poppy Beddoe is most looking forward to as she prepares to join The Commonwealth Resounds in Antigua. The visit for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will bring together her enthusiasm for teaching, performing and meeting musicians with different experiences to share.
Poppy combines a career as a soloist and chamber musician with teaching and outreach. She studied music at King’s College London before completing a master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music in 2016, and now teaches musicianship at its Junior Academy. She is also Artistic Director of the Berkshire Chamber Music Festival, with a commitment to widening participation that runs alongside her performing career.
I am very much looking forward to learning about the music of Antigua and Barbuda and to the cultural exchange of the forum.
I am very much looking forward to learning about the music of Antigua and Barbuda and to the cultural exchange of the forum.
Her 2021 debut album, Soliloquy, includes her own clarinet arrangement of Bach’s Chaconne, originally written for solo violin. The arrangement took shape during the first UK lockdown, when the prospect of months without playing alongside other musicians prompted her to develop a collection of solo music.
Her involvement with The Commonwealth Resounds began through her friend and colleague Daniel, who thought she would be a good fit. In Antigua, Poppy hopes to share as much of her expertise as possible while learning from the young musicians themselves. Alongside her work with the youth orchestra, she is eager to explore the music of Antigua and Barbuda and take part in the cultural exchange of the forum. Her anticipation centres on the people she will meet and the musical experiences they will share.
I am so looking forward to collaborating with and meeting musicians and colleagues from around the world.