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Friary Diary - Issue 110 - April 2024

Welcome to Friary Diary issue 110 - a monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band.


NEW FACE IN THE BASS SECTION:

 Friary is delighted to welcome Chris Pearce to the bass section.  


Chris is a recent music graduate from the University of York, and formerly a student at Junior Guildhall.  He performed as a soloist as the winner of the University of York Concerto Competition and David Blake Prize. Previously he has been a member of Surrey Advanced Brass Ensemble, Junior Guildhall Brass Band and is currently working as a graduate teacher. 


In welcoming Chris to Friary, Band Chairman David Wicks commented: ‘Chris is another strong addition to our bass section ahead of the forthcoming Grand Shield contest.’



OPEN REHEARSAL:


The Band has been rehearsing hard for the British Open Spring Festival Grand Shield contest which takes place on Saturday 11th May at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.  This year’s test piece is Bert Appermont’s A Brussels Requiem, which was the test piece for the British Open itself in 2018, so no mean challenge.  


As for the Regional Championships in March, Friary is opening its rehearsal at 8.00pm on Wednesday 8th May at Chertsey Hall to anyone who would like to hear the work and see how Friary prepares for a major contest.  The last open rehearsal proved to be very popular so we hope that as many as possible will come along to listen.


The prize for the top two bands (out of the 20 competing) is an entry to the British Open so there’s all to play for – but there will be strong competition.  These include Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Desford, EverReady, GUS, Llydcoed, Rothwell Temperance and our fellow contenders from London & Southern Counties, Redbridge.



RANKING NEWS:

As at 1st April, in the www.brassstats.com table, Friary stands at 22nd in the world following the Regional Championships.

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