Friary Brass Band

t’s always better to travel in hope, so the saying goes, and this proved to be the case for Friary at this year’s British Open Spring Festival. Having been placed 6th in last year’s Grand Shield contest, Friary had high hopes of reaching the top two this year which would earn qualification to the British Open. That said, it was a tough ask, with a field of 20 bands all with the same objective. The test piece was Thierry Deleruyelle’s Fraternity which commemorates the 110th

With an eye on gaining qualification for the British Open, Friary is busy putting the final touches to its preparation of the test piece Fraternity for the Grand Shield contest, to be held in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on Saturday 18th May. As part of this, the Band is having an open rehearsal from 8.00pm to 10.00pm on Wednesday 15th May at All Saints Church, 564 Woodham Lane, Woking, GU21 5SH to which everyone is welcome. Do please join us to gain an insight into how th

Earlier this year Friary was honoured to receive a legacy from the late Simon Kerwin, an internationally respected brass performer, conductor composer and arranger, who passed away last November at the tragically early age of 57. Simon played tuba for, amongst other bands, Wingates, Britannia Building Society and Yorkshire Building Society as well as for the Hallé Orchestra, and conducted the Nottinghamshire Band of the Royal Engineers. Simon’s wife Tabby explained: ‘Simon

Friary Brass Band is deeply saddened to announce that David Ruel passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep on the morning of 22nd April, at the age of 68. David had a lengthy association with Friary, as well as with many other local bands, most recently as conductor of the Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band: he was a dedicated bandsman, both as a player and a conductor, and will be greatly missed. At the request of his son Matthew, Friary played the hymn tune Eller

Congratulations to percussionist Mike Jefferies, who completed the London Marathon – his first – on 28th April. A keen cyclist, Mike only started running in December which makes the achievement all the more remarkable. His recorded time was a whisker over five hours. ‘I just wanted to see if I could do it,’ said Mike. ‘My Uncle Alan ran the London marathon in 1985 in two hours 26 minutes, so I don’t think I’ll be breaking the family record any time soon!’ he acknowledge

Welcome to Friary Diary issue 51 - a one page monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band. DAVID RUEL: We open this month’s edition with the very sad news that David Ruel passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep on the morning of 22nd April, at the age of 68. David had a lengthy association with Friary, as well as with many other local bands, most recently as conductor of the Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band: he was a dedicated bandsman, both as a play