Andover Town Band
Appointment of New Musical Director
On 1st of January 2026 the band were delighted to welcome Ben Halstead as their new Musical Director. During a difficult 2025 we had the absolute pleasure of working along side Brendan, however due to ongoing work commitments, Brendan had to step back from the Band and concentrate on other things. Witth a stroke of luck, Ben was available to step into the role, he has already made a massive impact to the band room and we are looking forward to a very successful year.
14th March 2026 - ATB are competing at the West Of England Regional Championships in Torquay
Due to unforseen circumstances last year, the band were unable to attend the West Of England Regional Championships. This year however we are working hard and looking forward to gettitng back down to the Torquay and being back on stage at the Riviera Centre playing the wonderful Variation on 'Was Lebet' in the 1st Section.
6 Week Beginners Course - PBuzz
Having completed our first PBuzz course, we are looking at dates to start another course. Aimed at KS2 youngsters, these lightweight plastic instruments are a great, affordable, fun way for children to start learning to play a brass instrument. We are proud to be the first in the area to bring this opportunity to Andover, if you would like more information about this course or indeed further courses yet to be planned please contact us via email at info@andovertownband.com
We have moved home
Andover Town Band has recently partnered up with Enham Trust, to fulfil our dreams of having a practice venue we can call our own. Whilst we have been thoroughly looked after by the Salvation Army for the past few years, the opportunity to work with Enham was an opportunity we couldn't miss. We have a new temporary band room for the next 12-18 months at the Landale Wilson Hall in Enham, the band are hoping to complete a deal with Enham Trust that allows us to invest along side them to have a band room that will cater for all our needs. This will open up all kinds of opportunities for the band, such as producing our own Concerts, hosting our own Oktoberfest, Coffee mornings and so much more.
It is such an exciting time for the Band with Enham offering their marketing services to us and helping promote us in the community.
10th March 2024 - ATB Compete at the West Of England Regional Championships in Torquay
To build on last years successful performance in the Championship Section, the band under newly appointed MD Sara Maganzini, performed a stong rendition of Philip Sparke's 'Variations on an Enigma'. With Flowers topping the tree, Andover came a delighted 7th place, securing another year competing in the top flight,
Results:
1 Flowers
2 Aldbourne
3. Woodfalls
4 Verwood Concert Brass
5 Cambourne
6 St Dennis
7 Andover Town Band
8 A W Parker
9 Brunel Brass
10 Filton Concert Brass
11 Sherborne Town
Appointment of Sara Maganzini
After the rush of Christmas, it was back to the band room to start preparing for more concerts and the Regional Contest in Torquay. The year started with a change of conductor, due to unforseen circumstances Scott had to take a step back and the band welcomed Sara Maganzini to the Band. Before joining the Royal Corps of Army Music, Sara conducted a number of brass and wind bands in Italy and the Netherlands. Sara holds a Masters degree in conducting from the Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag in the Netherlands where she studied under Alex Schillings.
12th March 2023 - ATB compete at the West Of England Regional Championships
On Sunday afternoon ATB competed for the first time in their history with the elite bands of the West of England Championship Section. Having played the challenging test piece Red Priest the band came off the stage very pleased with their performance. Gaining a creditable 9th place guarantees the band Championship section status again for next year. Congratulations to winners Camborne Town Band, runners up Flowers Band and 3rd place Aldbourne Band who have qualified for the National Finals.
Results:
1 Camborne
2 Flowers
3 Aldbourne
4 St Dennis
5 Filton Concert Brass
6 Verwood Concert Brass
7 Woodfalls
8 Brunel Brass
9 Andover Town
10 Michelmersh Silver
11 Roche Brass
26th Nov 2022 - ATB compete at the Wessex Winter Contest
Following many weeks of intense rehearsals, ATB travelled to Bournemouth to compete in the Wessex Annual Winter Contest. The adjudicator for the day was Tom Hutchinson (principal cornet of the world famous Cory Band and Besson Artist). Playing off a number one draw at 10am the band performed the march Orion (W Rimmer) and the test peice Trittico (James Curnow). Competing against 13 other bands, ATB were awarded a very creditable 5th place for the Test Peice and were delighted with a 3rd place for the March. To crown the day, conductor, Scott Stewart was awarded the South Wilts cup for the conductor judged to have the Best Musical Interpretation of the score. Congratulations go to Scott - this award is a recognition of the extremely hard work and many hours that he puts into preparing the band!
11th Nov 2022 - ATB perform at the "Andover Remembers" concert
In the first concert of its kind in Andover, ATB performed at the Andover Baptist Church, for a Festival of Remembrance, to a packed hall. The concert included many reflective peices of music, featured a number of soloists, and Act of Remembrance in the second half. ATB were delighted to play in front of many distinguished guests, were honoured to share the stage with members of the military and the Royal British Legion (money raised from the concert will go to their Annual Poppy Appeal). It is hoped that this popular concert will become an annual event.
Friends of the Band
The running of a brass band is a very expensive activity and at ATB all playing members pay subscriptions to help with the running costs. On top of this the band raises money in a variety of ways. The band has been very fortunate to receive many donations from individuals who wanted to support the band. Subsequently ATB are pleased to run a Friends of Andover Town Band Scheme. Friends will receive regular communications, including this newsletter and advance notice of events. If you are interested in signing up please contact us using the form here.
