Formed in Guildford in 1983, Friary Brass Band (originally the Friary Guildford Band) takes its name from its initial sponsor, the Friary Meux brewery.  Now based in Chertsey, the Band has competed at the highest level (Championship Section) since 2011, and since then has qualified for the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall no fewer than nine times, a record only a handful of other bands can match.

 

Friary has earned a reputation for entertainment, winning many prizes including the Audience Entertainment Award two years in succession at the prestigious Brass in Concert contest at The Glasshouse, Gateshead (formerly The Sage), and is regarded as one of the south’s leading bands.  With the exception of three military bandsmen, the players are all amateur musicians, coming from London, East and West Sussex, Berkshire and Hampshire as well as Surrey.  They rehearse twice a week, conducted by recently appointed Musical Director, Captain Andrew Porter.

 

A euphonium player who enlisted in the British Army in 2003, Captain Porter graduated from Kneller Hall in 2011, earning awards for academic excellence and conducting.  He has since served as Bandmaster of the Band of the Irish Guards, Director of Music for British Army Band Tidworth and is currently Director of Music to the Grenadier Guards.

 

Aside from contests, traditional concerts and civic engagements, Friary – a registered charity - assists aspiring young brass players in a school’s annual brass day.  The Band has also led the world-famous Lewes Bonfire Parade for the past three years.  It also raises funds for other charities, including the local air ambulance and Macmillan Cancer Support by playing seasonal music at Christmas.  Friary is currently ranked as one of the top 50 bands worldwide.