Friary Guildford Band was joined by North West Champions the Fairey Band and the North East Hants Area Schools’ Bands on Saturday at Aldershot’s Connaught Leisure for a rousing concert with music to suit all tastes.
After each band performed its own set, each with their own superb solos as well, the three came together for a fantastic finale of Wagner’s majestic Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral from his opera Lohengrin. With the combined power of the three bands, the volume as the piece reached its conclusion was not only worthy of raising the roof but also of keeping at bay any evil spirits abroad on Halloween.
Band Chairman Nigel Stevens was delighted: ‘We were honoured to be invited to join the marvellous Fairey Band, their renowned conductor Garry Cutt, and the talented young musicians of NEHASB together with their conductors Simon Wyld and Wendy Brett for this joint concert. It’s been an education for everyone, and who could fail to be moved by that finale. We are deeply grateful to Fairey’s for the invitation.’
