Seaford Silver Band is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Musical Director, Hubert McCallum.  Hubert writes:-

My musical journey started when my twin brother was handed a trombone and I was given a euphonium in the Boy’s Brigade Band in Sutton Surrey – a very long time ago!

I came to love the sweet tone of my instrument and with practice, we were both invited to audition to play with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. A steep learning curve followed and I found I was interested not only in my own playing but how the whole band would perform together.  I was also able to participate in holiday courses arranged by the Youth Band, travelling to venues all over Britain.  I was tutored by Dr.Dennis Wright, Gilbert Vinter and Geoffrey Brand who all helped to nurtured my interest in conducting.

I went on to play Principal Euphonium with Croydon Borough Band which was a Championship Brass Band at the time. The band won a number of contests and I found myself playing at the Royal Albert Hall competing with big names in the brass band world, such as Black Dyke. ( Needless to say they won the contest!) This was in 1967 and the contest piece was ‘Journey into Freedom’ by Eric Ball.

After leaving school I started a five year apprenticeship with John Broadwood & Son’s piano factory in London where I learned how to build pianos and tune them.  I joined Bluthner Pianos as their tuner in central London taking care of many theatre pianos and those of the Royal Schools of Music.  I still work for this company, covering the south of England.

I have tuned pianos in the strangest of places and one year I was flown out to Libya, North Africa, to tune 40 pianos for Shell at their refinery in the desert!  Another time, I was asked to tune a grand piano on the top of Beachy Head for the TV programme ‘Game for a Laugh.’

I loved playing my Euphonium and also conducting, I’ve  played in various bands throughout the South depending on where I was living at the time. I was deputy conductor for Sussex Brass, and now conductor of Hooe Village Brass Band. I have played whatever instrument is lacking, from trombone to tuba but my love will always be for the euphonium.

It gives me great pleasure to take up the baton with Seaford Silver Band to impart my enthusiasm and knowledge to help nurture their music making to be successful and enjoyable.

Seaford Silver Band continues to search for new players of all abilities, as well as a Band Secretary and a Band Librarian.  We meet on Wednesday evenings in Seaford Head School between 7.30pm and 9.30pm.  If you are interested in joining our happy Band or helping us in any way, please call Chris Goodchild on 07909 913077.