East Sussex Concert Band
Band Committee
The main reason for any of us being in the band is to have fun making music and entertaining audiences. However, behind the public performances there is a huge amount of organisation required to ensure the band keeps running smoothly. To allow Jonathan to concentrate on conducting performances and rehearsals, and rummaging in the conductor's box for his music, the band has a small team who look after all the administration. The committee members and roles are:
Martin Forward - Librarian
Martin has been our assistant musical director since 1998,
and when he isn't doing that he plays the clarinet. Martin lives in Heathfield,
East Sussex and has been playing the clarinet and bass clarinet since
1977. Much of his spare time has been spent either playing in, or leading
local bands and orchestras including the Conchord Big Band, A Touch of
Class Big Band, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band, Little Common Royal
British Legion Band and Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra. After qualifying
as an instrumental teacher in 2001, Martin now also coaches young people
in the Meridian Band.
The East Sussex Concert Band has an extensive library of music which needs
constant looking after to make sure everyone has the parts they need for
forthcoming concerts and music scores/parts that are no longer required
are kept filed away in the correct place. He also keeps an eye out for
new music that would be good for us to play. To make sure he doesn't lose
even more hair, this huge job could not be done without the valuable assistance
of his two deputies.
Sarah Lofthouse
Sarah does lots of important stuff for the band, details of which will be put here shortly.
Jo Stevens - Deputy Librarian
Jo assists with keeping the library under control and acts as 'liaison officer' with our friends in the Adur Band. Jo is a fantastic singer and very good at organising joint band concerts. Whilst we haven't been able to convince her to sing in front of the band, she recently arranged a very successful joint concert with the Adur Band.
Becky Hunter - Membership Secretary
Becky is the person who knows exactly who is in the band, when they came to rehearsals, whether we have paid our subs and most importantly, who is able to play in our performances. We also rely on Becky to be the band's social event organiser - hence she is often seen pursuing band members to pay money for our trips to the continent. She also fights valiantly to keep Jon's music organised, but no-one can, sadly.