Welcome to Friary Diary issue 46 - a one page monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band.
WORPLESDON CONCERT:
Friary was delighted to be invited back to Worplesdon for another concert in aid of the British Heart Foundation. As for the September concert at Ruislip, the theme was Last Night of the Proms, and the audience was equally enthusiastic. As well as the traditional Last Night numbers, the hunting horn and funnel/watering can/toilet bowl novelty duet again proved popular. However, full marks probably went to Chris Straker who kept his solo A Troika - Tidy! going despite the lights going out partway through it! It did add to the atmosphere of a midnight s leigh ride, though!
A CONCERT FOR PEACE WITH THE VIVACE CHORUS:
The Band was privileged to take part in this event at Guildford’s G Live to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. The concert included music fitting for the occasion, such as extracts from Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man, Faure’s Requiem and Holst’s The Planets. But for me the highlight for was John Williams’ Hymn to the Fallen. John Williams has written so much stirring film music, but this poignant piece with a perfect blend of band and chorus had shivers going down my spine.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY:
As is customary, the Band led Guildford’s Remembrance Sunday parade down the High Street to Castle Grounds, where a new memorial has been placed. Ian Stewart laid a wreath on Friary’s behalf. We will remember them.
RANKING NEWS:
Friary was leapfrogged by Dutch band Schoonhoven and slipped one place to 29th in the November update.
AND FINALLY...
For the past six years the Band has had excellent rehearsal facilities at the Chobham Club, but the Club is being redeveloped in the New Year and we have been searching for a new venue for our base. Despite extensive enquiries within the Guildford Borough area, with the kind aid of one of the Borough Councillors, it was not possible to find anywhere suitable. We are delighted to report that the band has found a new home at All Saints’ Church, Woodham who have been most welcoming. However, this prompted a review of the Band’s name, and given it is now some ten years since we last rehearsed in Guildford, Band members voted to revise our name to Friary Brass Band. Much debate has taken place, and this decision has not been taken lightly. The Friary name is synonymous with Guildford and so we retain that part of our heritage – the brewery kindly sponsored the Band for the first ten years - but at the same time it is felt that the continued inclusion of Guildford gives a misleading impression of where we are based. We have also updated our logo in a more contemporary style, but retain the Friary Meux colours to demonstrate our roots. Whilst we acknowledge that this change may come as a disappointment to some of our supporters, we trust you appreciate the rationale, and we look forward to retaining our links with the Borough. There is still work to be done to update our website, email addresses, banners and uniform with the new branding, but these are all in hand.