Friary Brass Band

Welcome to Friary Diary issue 87 - a monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band. PLATINUM JUBILEE: With the heatwave, political changes, the Women’s Euros and the Commonwealth Games, the Platinum Jubilee seems a long time ago now, but several Friary players were involved in the Jubilee celebrations, albeit not under the Friary banner. Amongst those was Neil Wharton who is a trombonist and Drum Major of The Band of the RAF Regiment. Neil played the fanfare for the

Friary’s AGM in May saw the end of an era: long-serving chairman Nigel Stevens stepped down after 11 years at the helm and after 19 years as a player. During his tenure, Nigel oversaw the Band’s progression on many fronts, not least to a top twenty ranking at the end of 2021. But whilst the musical element of the Band was of course important, the social connectivity and camaraderie was equally important in driving Friary’s success, he thought. In his emotional closing rema

We have been advised that tickets for this year’s Brass in Concert contest – to be held on 19th November at The Sage, Gateshead - will go on sale at 10.00am on Tuesday 28th June. The event will see Friary make its third consecutive appearance at what is widely considered to be the world’s leading entertainment contest, and defend the Audience Entertainment Award won on the latest two occasions. Please come and support us if you can! For full details of the event, how to boo