Kathleen Hodder

Kathleen started playing the tenor horn in 2018 at the age of ten and, under the expert tutelage of Matthew Walton, gained her Grade 1 in June of that year before quicky moving on to play Baritone and then Euphonium. She gained experience of playing in an ensemble in the Rising Stars and then the Academy Band, becoming First Euphonium in 2024 and gaining her Grade 8 in November that year. She was given the opportunity to play in various contests and in 2023 played Second Euphonium in the Academy Band which secured second place in both the Fourth Section West of England Area Final and the National Final to earn promotion to the Third Section and The British Bandsman Lower Section Contest Performance of the Year. 

Throughout her years of learning Kathleen has been guided by members of the senior band who she looks up to and respects.  She had the privilege of making her contesting debut with the senior band at Wychavon in 2023, playing Second Baritone and winning the Best Baritones prize alongside Liz Logan. Kathleen has loved the opportunity to develop her talents to an advanced level and the social side of belonging to the Brunel Brass organisation and hopes to keep playing throughout her life.

Kathleen’s musical journey also encompasses her other passion, musical theatre, which she is currently studying at Cirencester College. Since joining Stagecoach Cirencester at the age of four, she has appeared in both regional and national shows.