STOP PRESS: FRIARY’S FORMER PRINCIPAL TROMBONE WINS BBC RADIO 2 YOUNG BRASS AWARD 2017
BBC RADIO 2 YOUNG BRASS AWARD:
Warmest congratulations to our former principal trombone player, Isobel Daws, who was crowned the winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester just last Friday.
In a live broadcast, presented by Clare Teal and Listen to the Band's Frank Renton, and accompanied by Foden's Band, Isobel gave a mature and polished performance of Rhapsody for Trombone by Gordon Langford who, sadly, passed away last Tuesday. The judges included Philip Harper, Musical Director of the Cory Band, and euphonium virtuoso David Childs.
Isobel (aged 17) who is currently studying at Chetham’s School of Music, explained to brass website 4barsrest that she had chosen the Langford work as it was one of her favourites. "It's a great piece to perform and I've loved it ever since I heard a recording of Don Lusher playing it. I've been lucky to play it a couple of times with my former band at Friary Guildford and have had a few run throughs with my current band at Fairey. It's such a wonderful work and I was so sorry to hear of the composer's death." To listen to the final, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08m0f24 Isobel’s performance starts approximately 47 minutes in to the 2 hour programme.
JOINT CONCERT WITH THE OCCAM SINGERS: On 3rd June at 7.30pm, Friary will be sharing the stage at Holy Trinity Church, High Street, Guildford with Guildford-based chamber choir, the Occam Singers for Fanfare! – French music for brass and voice. Bringing you ‘une abondance’ of brilliant and beautiful French music from the fifteenth to the twentieth century, Occam Singers and Friary will perform music by such wonderful composers as Josquin Deprez, Bizet, Delibes and Debussy. The second half of the concert will be Gabriel Fauré’s beautiful Requiem in a new arrangement for brass and voice. For ticket information, please visit http://www.occamsingers.co.uk/public/concerts.html
FRIARY AWARDS NIGHT: It’s a while ago now, but there hasn’t been space for it until now! At the end of January, members of the Band and their partners gathered at the Hilton Hotel, Cobham, to celebrate Friary’s achievements over the past year. After an excellent meal, and a review of 2016 by Chairman Nigel Stevens, Musical Director Chris King presented the awards which were as follows:
Section of the year: Trombones
Player of the Year: Lauren Straker (flugel)
Most Improved Player: Ross Graham (Eb bass)
Bandsman of the Year: Chris Attwood (percussion)
Best Attendance: Mike Trumble (Euphonium)
On display was the magnificent ‘Most Entertaining Band’ trophy, regained in January at the Butlins’ Mineworkers Contest, and a fitting centrepiece for a celebratory evening.
RANKINGS NEWS: The April update of the World Rankings saw Friary edge up another couple of places to 26th. As far as we know, this is the highest position which the Band has achieved in its current form.