Welcome to Friary Diary issue 137 - a monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band. ENTENTE CORDIALE IN OLD ALRESFORD: It may have been American Independence Day on 4th July, but it was all about the Anglo/French Entente Cordiale in Old Alresford on the following Sunday. The brainchild of my sister Gail, always an enthusiastic supporter of the Band, the concert featured her friend and helper, Muriele French Singer alongside Friary in the spectacular setting of Pingl

Strengthening the euphonium section at Friary is Max Johnson, a British Army Band musician based at Tidworth. Max has played euphonium for 13 years, gaining extensive experience at a high level with bands including Milnrow and Oldham Lees where he performed at the British Open. He was honoured with the Best Euphonium Award at the Scottish Open in 2024. ‘I am excited to join Friary and look forward to contributing to the band’s success while continuing to develop as a perfo

It may have been American Independence Day on 4th July, but it was all about the Anglo/French Entente Cordiale in Old Alresford on the following Sunday. The brainchild of my sister Gail, always an enthusiastic supporter of the Band, the concert featured her friend and helper, Muriele French Singer alongside Friary in the spectacular setting of Pinglestone Barn, kindly donated for the occasion by the Wakeham family. Raising funds for a recently installed servery and much-ne

Welcome to Friary Diary issue 136 - a monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band. COMINGS AND GOINGS: Friary has said goodbye to tuned percussionist Martin Davies and cornet player Kendall Skirving who have moved up north to take up new employment. A fond farewell has also been said to past chairman and cornet player David Wicks who is stepping back from banding to concentrate on his other musical interests. Joining the band and further strengthening the euphoniu

As in previous years, Friary formed part of Guildford’s marking of Armed Forces Day with cornet player Simon Persin playing for the short ceremony from the Guildhall balcony. Simon, who is taking a sabbatical from the Band, commented: ‘It’s always a privilege to acknowledge the debt we owe to our armed forces for their service, past and present. With serving personnel within the Friary, it’s a deeply personal occasion and, as ever, I’m honoured to be part of AFD on behalf o

Our 2026 concert season started with the ever-popular Godalming Bandstand event. Despite a somewhat ‘iffy’ weather forecast, it was decided to stick with the bandstand rather than move the concert into the nearby church, a decision which proved correct – just! The varied programme, devised by new MD Captain Andrew Porter but conducted in his absence by Gareth Trott, included favourites such as Breezin’ Down Broadway, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, Let’s Face the Music, Malagueña and

Welcome to Friary Diary issue 135 - a monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band. GODALMING BANDSTAND: Our concert season started with the ever-popular Godalming Bandstand event. Despite a somewhat ‘iffy’ weather forecast, it was decided to stick with the bandstand rather than move the concert into the nearby church, a decision which proved correct – just! The varied programme, devised by new MD Captain Andrew Porter but conducted in his absence by Gareth Trott, i

One of its longest-serving members, trombonist Ian Stewart, has decided to step down after 20 years with the Band. Originally booked as a dep for a CD recording in September 2005, at the end of the recording Ian was offered the 2nd trombone seat. In the journey that followed, Friary has had five rehearsal venues, four resident MDs, made two CDs, recorded a BBC Listen to the Band programme and performed the premiere of a test piece for the Europeans. Over those 20 years, Ian

Welcome to Friary Diary issue 134 - a monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band. GRAND SHIELD CONTEST: Friary returned from the British Open Spring Festival Grand Shield contest last Sunday with heads held high. In the new venue of Birmingham Town Hall, the Band was awarded a highly creditable 7th place out of the 20 competitors. Coincidentally, Friary was band no. 7 in the programme, and drawn to play seventh. The test piece was Stephen Roberts’ Star Crossed Lov

Friary returned from the British Open Spring Festival Grand Shield contest last Sunday with heads held high. In the new venue of Birmingham Town Hall, on a day which also featured the city’s half marathon, the Band was awarded a highly creditable 7th place out of the 20 competitors. Coincidentally, Friary was band no. 7 in the programme, and drawn to play seventh. The test piece was Stephen Roberts’ Star Crossed Lovers - by his own admission, a highly challenging work - bas

Welcome to Friary Diary issue 133 - a monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band. LONDON & SOUTHERN COUNTIES REGIONAL CONTEST: Despite our rising hopes that we might book a return to the National Finals this year, sadly it was not to be. Rehearsals of Martin Ellerby’s Elgar Variations, ably led by our guest MD John Ward, went well in the week leading up to the Regional Championships, but we didn’t quite pull it off on the day. Drawn to play second – the same as

Despite our rising hopes that we might book a return to the National Finals this year, sadly it was not to be. Rehearsals of Martin Ellerby’s Elgar Variations, ably led by our guest MD John Ward, went well in the week leading up to the Regional Championships, but we didn’t quite pull it off on the day. Drawn to play second – the same as last year – our performance drew positive comments from the adjudicators David Hirst and Dr Robert Childs, who summarised it respectively

Welcome to Friary Diary issue 132 - a monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band. MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Captain Andrew Porter We are delighted to announce that Captain Andrew Porter has been selected as our new Musical Director. 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 and Dire

Captain Andrew Porter Friary Brass Band is pleased to announce Captain Andrew Porter as its new Musical Director. 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 and Director of Music for British Army Band Tidworth. Now Director of Music to the Grenadier Guards, he has led performances for sta

photo: Ibstock Place School Friary returned to Roehampton earlier this month for Ibstock Place School’s second Brass Day, a project bringing together Friary Brass Band, Ibstock Brass Ensemble, and young novice players from primary schools in the Wandsworth area. Ibstock’s Head of Expressive Arts, Nic Walker commented: ‘We were delighted to welcome back Friary Brass Band after last year’s inaugural Brass Day. The programme was more ambitious for the junior trumpeters this y

Welcome to Friary Diary issue 131 - a monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band. MUSICAL DIRECTOR: The response to our advertisement for a new Musical Director was very positive, and the first round of auditions has been concluded. A second round will be held for the short-listed applicants. We will of course keep you advised as soon as a final decision has been made. In the meantime, we are pleased to say that guest MDs have been secured to cover rehearsals unt

Whilst its recruitment process for a new Musical Director continues, Friary is delighted to announce that John Ward will be taking the Band to the London & Southern Counties’ regional contest at Stevenage next month. ‘During this time of change, we are very pleased to have secured John’s services for our bid to return to the National Finals,’ commented Friary Chairman, David Wicks. ‘John has not applied for the MD position, but he is a highly respected conductor and adjudic

Welcome to Friary Diary issue 130 - a monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band. NIGEL TAKEN STEPS DOWN AS MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Nigel Taken is stepping down as our MD at the end of the year. Band Chairman David Wicks commented: ‘We would like to thank Nigel for his strong commitment and detailed guidance over the past two and a half years, in particular for leading the Band to our recent success at the Wessex BBA contest. We wish him well for the future.’ The Band h

Nigel Taken is stepping down as MD of Friary Brass Band at the end of the year. Band Chairman David Wicks commented: ‘We would like to thank Nigel for his strong commitment and detailed guidance over the past two and a half years, in particular for leading the Band to our recent success at the Wessex BBA contest. We wish him well for the future.’ The Band will shortly be starting the recruitment process for a new musical director.

The Hogs Back Brewery annual Christmas concert A busy few days for Friary players saw the Band returning to the Hog’s Back Brewery – only a few miles from the Friary’s brewery roots in Guildford - for the annual carol concert. Revellers were in fine voice, possibly lubricated by the products on offer, joining in carols and, by special request, Bohemian Rhapsody. ‘Absolutely fantastic, Christmas has started,’ commented one audience member. The previous day, a small contingen