Welcome to Friary Diary issue 117 - a monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band.
REMEMBRANCE:
Friary Brass Band and individual players were once again heavily involved in Remembrance ceremonies.
At the Festival of Remembrance, held at the Royal Albert Hall on the Saturday evening, trombonist Tom Challinor, who has been helping us out recently, performed alongside Sir Tom Jones as part of the Central Band of the RAF.
On Remembrance Sunday the Band returned to Guildford to lead the civic procession down the High Street, watched by hundreds of spectators. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Band at Castle Grounds (left), where The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by principal cornet Richard Straker.
Cornet player Simon Persin had already been involved in a service at St Pious Church, Merrow (centre) before joining the rest of the Band for the parade.
Trombonist Ian Stewart (right), who also conducts Lewes Glynde and Beddingham Brass Band in East Sussex, led them at Ringmer in the morning (right) and again at Lewes in the afternoon.
Cornet player Jack Beer (on the right of left pic.) marched past the Cenotaph as part of the Band of the Coldstream Guards, and bass player Pat Donovan (left of right pic) was on parade in Warminster with the Army Medical Services Band. Fellow bass player Cat Whittingham-Smith (centre) was at The Royal Garrison Church of All Saints at Aldershot with the trainees from the Royal Military School of Music, providing musical support for their church service.
On Armistice Day, The Last Post and Reveille were again sounded, by Simon for Worplesdon Parish Council, and by three members of the Straker family: Richard at a further brief ceremony on Guildford’s Guildhall balcony, and respectively by flugel player Lauren and daughter Ayla (left), at Owlsmoor Primary School. Bravo to Ayla (aged 8), who plays cornet with Sandhurst Silver Band’s Brasshoppers, for playing beautifully in front of an audience of no fewer than 600.
‘Friary is deeply honoured to be involved in this most important of occasions,’ commented Band Chairman David Wicks. ‘Remembrance is especially significant as we have a good number of players, past and present, who serve in the armed forces, so we are particularly aware of the many who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us all.’
We will remember them.
WEST END EXTRAVAGANZA:
A packed G Live on Saturday 16th saw Friary share the stage with the excellent Vivace Chorus for a memorable evening of music from the shows, including The Lion King, West Side Story, Les Miserables, The King and I, and Guys and Dolls. Sadly, this was likely to be the final time that the Band will perform with Jeremy Backhouse conducting the Chorus as he is stepping down next year. Jeremy, an acclaimed choral conductor, was fulsome in his praise for the Band: ‘It is always such a joy to work with the Friary Brass Band who are unfailingly highly professional, always so friendly and quite simply brilliant! The beauty, exuberance and discipline of your performances is always striking and, for me, our joint concerts have always been a highlight in Vivace’s calendar. Thank you for some unforgettable musical collaborations!’
We are very grateful to Jeremy for the opportunity to perform with Vivace who are such a superb choir, and send him our very best wishes for the future.
FRIARY IN THE COMMUNITY:
Coinciding with Armistice Day, I presented a programme of brass band music based around remembrance to an audience at the nursing home where my aunt (now aged 99!) is a resident. As I didn’t want it to be all sombre music, I incorporated some popular wartime tunes, such as a Glenn Miller medley alongside several traditional remembrance pieces. I thought it was also a good opportunity to play Friary’s beautiful performance of Someone to Watch Over Me, from the Band’s 2022 Brass in Concert George Gershwin-themed set. We finished with everyone singing along to The White Cliffs of Dover and We’ll Meet Again.
I’m back there again next Monday with some music for Christmas!
CHRISTMAS CONCERT:
Our next two concerts take place on 1st and 7th December, at Hog’s Back Brewery, Tongham and Chertsey Hall respectively. The Hog’s Back event is already fully booked, although it may just be worth checking the website from time to time in case of cancellations. Tickets for the Family Christmas Concert at Chertsey Hall are £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and under 16s are FREE! Tickets can be purchased via TicketSource.co.uk. We very much hope you will be able to join us for some festive music at our new home. Please be aware that Chertsey will be very busy – there’s the local Goose Fair, and also an FA Cup tie so please leave plenty of time to travel and park. There’s a car park opposite Chertsey Hall.
RANKING NEWS:
There’s been no update as yet since 1st October, so Friary still stands at 30th in the world in the 4barsrest.com table. In the brassstats.com table, Friary is now ranked 26th following the update on 1st November.
EASY FUNDRAISING:
Did you know that many of your on-line purchases could raise funds for the Band, AT NO COST TO YOU? Register at easyfundraising.org.uk, nominate the band as your chosen charity to support and route your purchases via the easyfundraising website. If you can help us in this way we would be very grateful – every little helps.
Comments