Tim McDonald… According to Locate East Sussex, the official inward investment agency for East Sussex, “Hastings is a magnet of raw musical talent and home to one of the UK’s most vibrant music scenes. In fact, there’s so much music happening in and around Hastings that the area was declared the UK’s newest ‘Music City’.”
Few would disagree with the view that Hastings – and the surrounding area – is an extraordinary region of musical activity with concerts, gigs, recitals, gatherings, competitions, sessions and an amazing variety of other events going on right throughout the year, covering every single aspect of the musical spectrum. In fact, it is difficult to find another comparable-sized town in the United Kingdom where there is such a phenomenal concentration of musical talent and enterprise. One has only to read the local press in order to gain an idea of how extensive musical life is in this part of the world.
However, there is one glaring gap in this otherwise bright artistic scene. Astonishingly, there is no central music resource where people can go to get scores, sheet music, look at reference books, listen to different pieces, and so on. There hasn’t been since 2002 when Hastings Music Library was arbitrarily moved away to locations on the other side of the county. If someone wants to get hold of a particular work in order to play it, or just to look at it, then it has to be brought in from either Lewes or Hailsham. This is not the way creative people work – most want to be able to see and compare different songs, dances, piano pieces, guitar works, orchestral scores, etc, ideally with a small soundproof studio equipped with a keyboard/synthesizer and audio facilities where they can play through a chosen piece of music or listen to recordings.
A lot of music is available on line. This is true – but a lot isn’t, and there is still a considerable number of people who prefer to play off printed sheet music or, at the very least, manuscript scores. Music lovers should have the option to access their music in their preferred format.
Additionally, the resource centre will be equipped with small rehearsal spaces where individuals or ensembles who currently have nowhere to practice will be able to do so without disturbing others or, just as importantly, being disturbed. And, of course, provision will be made for educational activities of all kinds to take place.
The proposal has been put forward that an independent music resource should be created within Hastings & St Leonards. Whilst it is not inconceivable that a small part of the County Music Library’s stock could be made available, the bulk of the content will be made up from private collections of individuals, initially living in the immediate area but, it is to hoped, eventually contributing from further afield in order that a comprehensive assembly of material can be made available for use by anyone interested in music.
It goes without saying that a suitable building will need to be found to accommodate all the scores, sheet music, books, magazines, recordings etc that it is hoped will be brought together. Ideally, it should be located in Hastings town centre, close to the rail and bus station, so that as many people as possible whould be able to access it without too much trouble. Hopefully, a vacant site may become available under the Hastings Town Centre Deal but, to begin with, we need to produce evidence of a strong desire on behalf of as many folk as possible that such a resource is something that the town – and its surrounding area – needs and would play its part in helping to raise Hastings’ status as a major musical centre.
Can you help, interested, ideas then please contact Tim… tim@timmcdonald.co.uk
Lucy Pappas… Excellent idea!
Fiona Evans… Great idea. I’m a classical music fan & we need a good music library.
Chris Meachen… Sounds brilliant .
John Wilde… Wonderful idea.
Mick O’Dowd… I was talking with Andre & Tim about this at the SMART Meet. I must admit I did not fully grasp what he was envisiging due to my hearing difficulties in a noisy enviroment, but , I did get the gist of it and think it would be a fantastic idea if it could get off the ground. Having been involved with the local music scene all my adult life as DJ , promoter & band manager I agree that the town has and always had a tremendous and diverse musical talents. As Tim so rightly says there always has been something for everyone! Good luck Tim on this. I’m fully supportive of it!
Fiona Evans… And me too
Andy Qunta… 
I was talking with Andre & Tim about this at the SMART Meet. I must admit I did not fully grasp what he was envisiging due to my hearing difficulties in a noisy enviroment, but , I did get the gist of it and think it would be a fantastic idea if it could get off the ground. Having been involved with the local music scene all my adult life as DJ , promoter & band manager I agree that the town has and always had a tremendous and diverse musical talents. As Tim so rightly says there always has been something for everyone! Good luck Tim on this. I’m fully supportive of it!