01435 817201
Making music for over one hundred years
Would you like to learn to play a brass instrument…for free?
Heathfield Silver Band is a lively local brass band that has been in existence since the 1880s. We are currently looking for new members. All ages are welcome and whether you are an experienced player, have had a break from playing or are an absolute beginner, we’d love to hear from you.
With cuts to the funding of music education in schools, many children and adults have not had the opportunity to play with others and feel the joy and satisfaction that that can bring. So we are offering the opportunity for local people to either join the band, or join our training band if they need lessons or would like to brush up their skills. We can provide free instrument hire and free tuition. Adults pay a small membership subscription, but under 18s are free. We play many styles of music, from military marches to pop, TV and film music, as well as Christmas tunes later in the year. We have our own rehearsal room in Heathfield. Training band sessions are from 6.45-7.45pm, band rehearsals are from 7.30-9.30pm, every Tuesday.
To coincide with this rejuvenation of the band, we are delighted to announce that Michael Pilley has been appointed as the band’s new Musical Director.
Michael has vast musical experience and a passion for brass bands. He started his brass life in Australia, both at school and in the Salvation Army, and then graduated as a Bachelor of Music from Melbourne University. Michael moved to the UK in 2012 and played with the award-winning Tredegar Brass Band in South Wales and other groups, including some he has started from scratch.
Most recently Michael has been appointed a visiting brass music teacher working in East Sussex Schools. He is keen to foster a love of brass music in young people and to ensure the future of our brass bands which are such an important feature of community and national life.
Apart from being a very experienced conductor, Michael is an accomplished trombonist, transcriber, music engraver, competition-winning composer and arranger – for more information please see - www.michaelpilleymusic.com
Michael will be building on the superb foundations laid by the outgoing Musical Director, Sarah Leeves, who departs after ten years. Sarah has been at the heart of Heathfield Silver Band, leading from the front and continually improving playing and performance. Sarah’s energy, determination and musical excellence enabled the band to develop and grow, performing at a wide range of events including summer fairs, concerts and bonfire marches. She has always gone above and beyond, and the band will miss her enthusiasm and positive energy.
If you are interested in coming along to see how you get on, email secretary@heathfieldsilverband.com
All About Heathfield Silver Band
The precise year that the band was formed in Heathfield still remains uncertain.
For a short period of 2-3 years around the turn of the century, the band was an important part of the Heathfield detachment of the 2nd Royal Sussex Volunteer Corp. Duties included annual camp at Lydd, where besides playing reveille and for parades they entertained the troops. But by 1901 this military commitment became difficult and he band withdrew and became a civilian band again.
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The success of the band in the early 1920’s attracted a wider interest and a Committee of local businessmen were formed which put the band on a more organised footing. It is from 1928 that the band’s written records date. The early minutes and accounts books make extremely interesting reading.
In 1977 the band was granted Charitable Status (no. 273068) with the aim of actively promoting and teaching brass band instruments/music for the community.
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In modern days, the band has kept up with the changing tastes of music whilst still performing popular band classics to those that love them. The band performs at many engagements each year to raise the funds needed to enable the band to continue its commitment to offer tuition to anyone wishing to learn, regardless of means or ability. The band is a very friendly and relaxed band with members between the ages of eight and their eighties!
