Sarah Watts is a British clarinet player. Specialising in low clarinets, she has an international reputation for her performances, research and teaching.
"Watts does ravishing things with the great clarinet melody with
which the work opens ..."
Gramophone Magazine
Can we talk about inclusivity?
Counterweight was funded by a Higher Education Innovation Funding award, and supported by the University of Sheffield in response to my involvement with clarEquality, and the resistance to calling for fairer representation in the clarinet community. It is a response to many attempts to silence me and others, including violent threats and one person contacting the university (my place of work) to complain about me advocating for DEI.
It has been a privilege to work with Ailís Ní Ríain, who is a deaf/hard of hearing composer on this work, and I can’t thank her enough for throwing her talent, enthusiasm and support into this project.
Music, sound & film by Ailís Ní Ríain
Audio Assistant Sohrab Uduman
You can try and exclude us, but we will always support each other. With every knock we will get back up, and with bruised resolve we will carry on. We will not go away, or stay hidden and silent. This performance is for all underrepresented people and with thanks to those who support us.
NEW RELEASE
A Raasay Suite
A Raasay Suite is a 7 movement work for solo clarinet that takes inspiration from the Isle of Raasay where Sarah has a cottage.
Written for a fundraising concert in Raasay Walled Garden for Raasay Community Stores, this album was recorded in July 2026 in the island's Free Presbyterian Church which will become the new Raasay Community Stores.
Released on Cuillin Sound Records
Download via bandcamp
Nottingham musicians create musical legacy in Ratcliffe-on-Soar’s famous cooling towers