Jane Hanson CBE Chair
Jane is an accomplished Chair and Non-Executive Director with over 30 years of experience at Board level across various sectors, including listed companies, charities, and private enterprises.
Born and educated in Yorkshire, Jane graduated from York University with a degree in Music and began her career as a professional musician, playing in chamber ensembles for Royal and civic occasions. Following a significant career transition, Jane qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG. Since then, she has established herself as a prominent leader, holding key positions in major organisations. Her extensive experience includes roles at Aviva, Direct Line Group, William Hill, The Disasters’ Emergency Committee, His Majesty’s Treasury, Reclaim Fund, the UK Government’s Dormant Asset Board, the Civil Aviation Authority, and Welsh Water. Jane is also a Magistrate.
Her dedication to corporate governance and strategic leadership has made her a highly respected figure in her field. In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the charity sector, Jane was awarded a CBE in 2023.
Jane’s passion for music remains a vital part of her life. Since 2017, she has played in the 1st violin section of the orchestra and serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Bardi. Jane finds music to be a powerful influence, stating, “Music can change my mood almost instantly; it gets me ready for a busy day, and it relaxes me when I need to switch off. There are very few things in life with that power.”
Jane’s unique blend of musical talent and financial acumen underscores her versatile and dynamic approach to leadership, making her an inspirational figure in both the corporate and cultural worlds.
Mary Moore Vice-Chair
With lifelong experience as an amateur musician both as an instrumentalist and as a singer, Mary was a member of London Philharmonic Choir for 18 years, serving for eight years on the Board of the choir, the last five years in the post of Chairman. Back in her home county of Leicestershire, she enjoys singing in various ad hoc choral projects but now prefers to focus on instrumental playing. A wind player since school days she defected to the string fraternity just a few years ago and now very happily plays viola with the Clarendon Park Orchestra. She has been a practical supporter of the Bardi Symphony Orchestra in various capacities, since 1989. She was elected as a Trustee in in 2014, became Secretary in 2018, and Vice-Chair in 2022. Specific roles include management of the Bardi Young Musician Competition, support of the Bardi Principals’ Club and overall responsibility for publicity and marketing.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (FCIPD) and with an MA in Human Resource Management from De Montfort University, she pursued a successful career in HR, holding senior positions in a number of central government departments in London. Since 2007 she has been involved in a number of freelance arts consultancy projects, including work with the former National Association of Youth Orchestras and the Huddersfield Choral Society and from 2010 until 2024 was Vice-Chairman of OYAP Trust, a youth arts organisation, based in Oxfordshire.
Robert Calow Orchestra Manager
Born and educated in Leicester, Robert received his early musical training on the Clarinet at the Leicestershire School of Music and then with the National Youth Wind Orchestra from 1978-84. A career in Graphic Design beckoned however and following a degree from Leeds Polytechnic, Robert worked as Illustration manager at Eikon Ltd back in Leicester before coming a Director of CalowCraddock Ltd with twin brother David. Having recently become Calow Creative, they continue to work with many high-profile clients. Robert is also a full member of the Guild of Aviation Artists, recognised throughout the world as the premier society for the promotion of aviation art.
Robert joined the Bardi Symphony Orchestra in 1988 and is in great demand also playing with several local orchestras including the Rutland Sinfonia, Knighton Chamber Orchestra and the wind ensemble Musicamici. As well as a Trustee, Robert has held the post of Orchestra Manager for over 30 years. In 1992 Robert, together with his brother David, founded the Bardi Wind Orchestra and over the next 25 years the ensemble has raised thousands of pounds for charities at the popular De Montfort Hall summer concerts.
Claire Cowen Treasurer
Claire was brought up in Poole, playing the viola in both the Wessex and Dorset Youth Orchestras, before studying Modern Languages (French and German) at Oxford University, where she was involved in a multitude of extra-curricular musical activities. She has been a playing member of the Bardi Orchestra since 2015. Professionally, she is both a Chartered Tax Adviser and a Chartered Accountant and advises large & multi-national groups on international tax matters at Mazars, having previously held roles as an external auditor and a tax specialist in the Charity & Not for Profit Sector.
Lois Clark Secretary
Lois grew up in the East End of London, and alongside her state school education also attended Newham Academy of Music, where she principally studied violin and piano, as well as ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level Music. A fortuitous call to interview led Lois to the Music Publishers’ Association, where she stayed for 24 years in a variety of roles, culminating in the specialised areas of music copyright and print music. She then moved into education, working for 14 years at a local primary school, and is now enjoying her new post at a local independent day school.
Lois has played in amateur orchestras for most of her adult life, and has led the second violins in the Bardi since 2014. She is also the Bardi violin ‘fixer’ and, along with other players, assists the librarian in preparing the music for each concert. She currently also plays with the Market Harborough Orchestra (of which she is a founder member) and Rutland Sinfonia. Lois is looking forward to putting her administrative experience to good use as a newly-appointed member of the Bardi Board.
David Calow Trustee
David was born and educated in Leicestershire, receiving his early musical training from the Leicestershire School of Music. He played flute and piccolo in The National Youth Wind Orchestra from 1978-84.
David became Music Director and Conductor of the Bardi Wind Orchestra in 1996 and has conducted every concert since. In 2007 David was appointed Associate Conductor of the Rutland Sinfonia and has continued to develop the adventurous concert programming including highly successful stage and screen concerts. In January 2015 David was appointed Music Director and Conductor of the Clarendon Park Orchestra and is enjoying working with and encouraging an enthusiastic group of local musicians.
In 1995 David was appointed Music Director of the I.D.O.L.S Operatic Group in Leicester for their Little Theatre production of South Pacific. Over the following ten years he directed shows including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Mack and Mabel and Kiss Me Kate.
David also designs and organises the print for all of the publicity and programmes for the Bardi Symphony and Wind Orchestras concert season.
Julian Haslam Trustee
Born and raised in Derby to a musical family Julian started playing the French Horn aged nine. Moving to Leicester to study at De Montfort University he went on to enjoy a career in sales and marketing specialising in the Music Industry working in the record industry, music publishing and musical instrument sectors. Having gained broad experience across the industry, he now runs his own business consultancy working with a wide variety of companies both in the UK and internationally.
Having been a founder member of the Bardi Orchestra Julian can still be seen in the French Horn section and is in demand as a player in orchestras and theatre pit bands across Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Christine Taylor Trustee
Christine studied the clarinet in London at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under the notable clarinettists Jack Brymer and Joy Farrell, and enjoyed playing freelance for a number of years. Now a self-employed clarinet/saxophone teacher in Leicestershire, Christine has focussed her musical career on inspiring young musicians; for over 20 years alongside her teaching, she has worked regularly with a range of ensembles in the county as both a sectional coach and conductor. Passionate about giving talented young players opportunities, she has also adjudicated on various competition panels, and in 2014 was delighted to have coached one of her pupils to become the Bardi Symphony Orchestra’s own ‘Young Musician of the Year’.
In her spare time, Christine plays regularly with The Bardi Symphony Orchestra, the Helix, Knighton Chamber Orchestra and the Beaufort Wind Quintet, and has had the opportunity to perform as a soloist with works such as the Mozart, Copland and Finzi Clarinet Concertos.
Jane Bevan Librarian
Jane Bevan read Music at Cardiff University, studying flute with Douglas Townsend and Roger Armstrong of the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra. After gaining further qualifications she embarked on a woodwind teaching career for Cambridgeshire where she became Head of Cambridge Area Peripatetic staff. Jane performed extensively in Cambridge, with the Cambridge Philharmonic, Sinfonia of Cambridge and East Anglia Chamber Orchestra.
Since moving to Loughborough in 1999 Jane has taught for Leicestershire Schools Music Service, the Loughborough Endowed Schools and privately. She plays in ensembles including Helix Ensemble, The Heart of England Orchestra, The Bardi Symphony Orchestra, The Bardi Wind Orchestra, the Beaufort Wind Quintet and The Granta Trio (flute/cello/piano). Although busy with music, Jane volunteers for a Loughborough based charity and enjoys playing golf.