The internationally acclaimed Hanover Band will hold a series of bandstand concerts this summer in preparation for its return to the concert hall. The Hanover Band, based in Arundel, West Sussex, will use a £75,000 grant from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund to help it recover from the pandemic.
The concerts will be held across three counties on Bandstands in Brighton and Hastings, East Sussex, Bognor Regis and Crawley, West Sussex, and Margate and Folkestone, in Kent.
The orchestra, which was formed by cellist Caroline Brown, celebrated its 40th anniversary last year by performing all nine Beethoven Symphonies and broadcasting them online.
The recordings were made when restrictions were relaxed during the summer and can be found on The Hanover Band’s website.
Howell James, CBE Chair of The Hanover Band Foundation, said:
“We are very grateful the grant from the Culture Recovery Fund will allow The Hanover Band to continue playing in a time when it is not economically viable to do so, and ultimately help secure our future survival by creating employment opportunities for musicians, providing audiences and communities with experiences to enjoy live music in quality arts and culture venues.
“The funds will enable concerts in Bandstands to take place over the next few months as lockdown restrictions are relaxed.”
The Culture Secretary announced today that £300 million had been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country in the latest round of support.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, said:
“Our record-breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisa- tions across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.
“Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”
Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England, said:
“Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic.
“These grants will help to reopen theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work.
“We are grateful to the government for this support, and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”
The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed.
The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, Historic England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the British Film Institute.
Concert dates and programme to be announced shortly.
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