Brass Rascals one year on

Last April we decided to go on an exciting journey to start up a beginner band which was to run alongside our main band. We decided to call that beginner band, “Brass Rascals”.

Our adventure started with a demonstration at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield, with the lovely Sarah Widdowson. This was during Sunday School which tied in nicely with their topic ‘music in the bible’. Here we gained a cornet player and a tenor horn – Jonie and mum Lucy, and also Diane who lives locally to the bandroom.

Lucy then introduced two of her friends who came as well – Eira and Gethin and luckily we managed to persuade dad Simon to learn Euphonium (we are still trying to persuade mum!).

Blackboys School then invited us for a demonstration during an assembly. With headmaster Graham Sullivan’s huge support, we suddenly had another 7 players – 5 cornet players and 2 trombones: Monty, Sylvie, Erin, Finley, Aggie, Arthur and Jacob.

Since then Richard and son Ned who live locally have joined on trumpet and trombone respectively.

After this we gave a demonstration at Framfield School and gained Rebecca and Gregory who play cornet with us.

Another Jacob, who is from Uckfield, has recently joined on cornet after hearing us play at Holy Cross Church.

The group have already performed at Blackboys School’s Summer and Christmas Fairs, and Carols by Candlelight at Holy Cross Church.

We are looking forward to playing at Uckfield Spring Festival at Luxford Field, Uckfield on 10th May 2025 and Proms on the Pitch held at Uckfield Rugby Club on July 12th 2025.

We can’t wait to follow the progress of this talented group of players, and are amazed at how fast they have come along already. Players have an instrument and a Brass Rascals top – and they look great!”

Report by Julie Playford, Brass Rascals’ Band Leader