New Dimensions
In 1992, the band became area champions again, this time in the 2nd section and also gained promotion to the 1st section. To mark this occasion, the band made a tape recording, Dimensions, under Musical Director of the time, Nigel Simmons, copies of which are still available.
Nigel has moved on to pastures new and Andy Wooler then took over the Resident Conductors position. Andy, who studied at Kneller Hall whilst a member of the Parachute Regiment had been a member of Uckfield Concert Brass for the past 14 years and remained as a Vice President and Chairman of the band following the appointment of David Hughes.
Those lucky balls
Uckfield Concert Brass appeared on the National Lottery Live, Wednesday 24th December 1997! – Like many other bands, Uckfield Concert Brass have received funding from the National Lottery through the Arts Council of England – the grant was used to purchase new instruments and at the same time, release older ones for use by Uckfield Youth Brass, our junior band.
As an organisation that has benefited from lottery funding, we were asked to close the show on Christmas Eve playing a selection of carols. The band were delighted to be asked and looked forward to the live performance with varying degrees of terror!
Next contestant
Looking forward to further success in 1998, the band retained the services of Frank Renton for 3 rehearsals to help prepare for the area contest at Basildon in 1998.
The band engaged Mark Andrew-James, Conductor of the Sussex Symphony Orchestra to conduct on the day- this association has brought us fresh ideas from outside of the brass band movement. Mark made an immediate impression on the band with his ability to get that “extra mile” out of the players and we will no doubt be using his services again at some point in the future.
For the first contest of the 1999 season, the Regional Contest in Stevenage, the band engaged Bruce Gentry to put them through their paces with the test piece “Kenilworth”.
Continue journey
