Getting To Know Katie Derham
The presenter reveals her passion for music, Brazil, time spent with friends – and high heels…
◆ I feel so lucky through this series [ All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge] to be seeing first hand the spirit and passion that goes into amateur music-making up and down the UK. I’ve played in a number of amateur orchestras myself, so it comes as no surprise, but it’s incredible to witness the sense of community, energy and joy felt by those who come together to perform in these orchestras.
◆ This series is an opportunity to shine a light on that inspiring world. It gets under the skin of how amateur orchestras function, why people give up hours of their time to do it, and the myriad skills it requires of them.
◆ I learned piano from five and violin from eight. I’m a deeply un-sporty person so music was my thing at school. By my teens I knew I wasn’t going to be a professional musician, but I never lost my love of music.
◆ I wish I was a better singer. In my mind, I’m a Broadway diva when I sing, but in truth I’ve got a voice like a 12-year-old choirgirl.
◆ I cry at the drop of a hat. Children singing sets me off, as does a baby being born in Call The Midwife. I would probably cry through much of the James Taylor: Greatest Hits album, too!
◆ I have a long-standing love of Brazil and Brazilian music. My dad was born in Brazil and throughout my childhood he’d play bossa nova music – which you simply have to dance to! – and tell stories about going down to Copacabana beach.