Contributed Photo
Karla Bloom leads the Hanover Concert Band at a recent performance. The band is closing in on its 20 year anniversary of entertaining Hanoverians with free concerts.

Hanover Concert Band is little known treasure
By Ken Odor

May 06, 2008

Hanover Concert Band has about 40 members, and performs about 15 concerts a year around the area.

Kate Anderson was wanting to hear last year’s Christmas concert by the Hanover Concert Band, but she had a problem.

“I couldn’t find out where or when it was going to take place,’ she said.

So Anderson decided to volunteer some time to publicize the musical ensemble’s performances so their fans wouldn’t have the same problem.

The band, started in 1989 by Davidson Burgess has about 40 members, and performs about 15 concerts a year around the area.

Members range in age from high school students to retired seniors who still love to play.

Marshall Johnson, 70, has been playing trombone with the band since it began.

“Music is something to do as you get older. It’s a lifetime of creativity,” he said.

Clarinetist Jim Mathers, 62, feels the same way.

“I plan to play as long as I can hold a horn,” he said.

Mathers said the band was more than a place to play music, but also a social network of “good folks.”

Hanover County provides $2,800 toward the band’s expenses, said Mathers, and they accept donations at concerts, but it’s basically a volunteer operation manned by amateur musicians who just love to play.

Right now the band is looking for some french horn players and could use some more percussionists, said Mathers.

Karla Bloom is band director, a job she has held for the last nine years.

The band rehearses every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Arts and Activities Center, located at 500 S. Center St. in Ashland.

Their next performance is at the Ashland Strawberry faire June 7.

And thanks to Kate Anderson, they have an informative Web site with schedules, information for prospective new members and more at http://www.etc4u.com/band.

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