About Eastbourne Silver Band

Founded in 1950, the Eastbourne Silver Band performs throughout the year at fetes, town events, church concerts and their spiritual home, the iconic Eastbourne Bandstand.

The band opens the bandstand season of concerts and can be heard performing there with traditional Sunday afternoon concerts, including Easter Sunday, the spectacular 1812 Firework evening concerts with a ‘last Night of the Proms’ feel and of course their favourite – the yearly Christmas morning concert in front of thousands!

Over the last few years, the Eastbourne Silver Band has performed on:

BBC South East
With the touring production of Brassed Off, on stage at the Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne with Hi-di-Hi’s Jeffrey Holland
On the opening credits of Britain’s Got Talent
With Susan Calman on ‘Grand Days Out’
On Absolute Radio’s upcoming social media campaign with their drive time host Richie Firth

Another key annual event is the Eastbourne Silver Band Festival of Remembrance, a moving and reflective musical occasion. At Christmas, the band can be heard performing festive tunes and carols at various nursing homes and shops across the town. They also love parading along the seafront on an open-top bus, playing light-hearted tunes (and, of course, ‘Sussex by the Sea’!) during the Eastbourne Carnival in the summer.

The band kept busy during the pandemic, entertaining people via their distance video performances’ which can be seen and heard on our media page.

Marcus Plant

Musical Director

Marcus Plant began learning the trumpet at age 6 in Coventry, taught by his father, a professional trumpet player. He continued his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, learning from esteemed musicians Colin Clague, John Wallace, and James Watson. Marcus has performed across Europe, Canada, and the USA in prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Glyndebourne Opera House. He has played with ensembles including the Chiltern Philharmonic Orchestra, Westminster Symphony Orchestra, Herb Miller Orchestra, Jubilate Brass, and Inspiritus Brass, and has appeared on BBC Radio 3, performing a world premiere for HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

Since joining Eastbourne Silver Band, Marcus has transformed the group, injecting youth and energy into the band. Alongside a busy performance career, he remains dedicated to teaching the next generation of brass players. Currently the Development and Partnership Manager for Create Music, Marcus has over 30 years of experience in music education, regularly conducting and leading ensembles throughout East Sussex.