Welcome to Friary Diary issue 118 - a monthly round up of news about the Friary Brass Band.
HOG'S BACK CAROL CONCERT:
e first day of December saw Friary – whose name derives from Guildford’s now defunct Friary Meux brewery – return to its brewing roots for what has become a traditional carol concert at the Hog’s Back Brewery in Tongham. Once again, the event was a complete sell-out well in advance. Brewery revellers were in fine voice for the carols and other seasonal music, culminating in the admittedly not very Christmassy but nevertheless popular Queen classic Bohemian Rhapsody.
Band chairman David Wicks was delighted with the audience reception: ‘There’s always an enthusiastic response to the Band at Hog’s Back, but this was the best yet. We’re definitely in the mood for Christmas now!’
FAMILY CHRISTMAS CONCERT:
Sadly, we felt obliged to cancel our family Christmas concert at Chertsey Hall due to the appalling weather conditions. Quite apart from the potential danger to concert-goers, many of our players have long distances to travel, and public safety is paramount. Ticketsource advised all those who had booked tickets of the cancellation as soon as we had made the decision early on Saturday morning, and prompt full refunds followed. We apologise for the disappointment, and hope to show off our new rehearsal venue soon.
BRASS COALITION - SARCOMA UK CAROL CONCERT:
Supporters and patients alike gathered at London’s St Giles-in-the-Fields church - known as ‘The Poets’ Church’ –Tuesday evening last week for a vibrant and inspiring Christmas carol concert held by Sarcoma UK, the bone and soft tissue cancer charity. Hosted by actor Mark Osmond, the evening included music and song from Liam Tamne, Melissa Jacques, Classical Reflection, oncologist Dr Bambang Atmaja, Enchorus and the West End Gospel Choir, as well as readings from thespians Sandra Dickinson and Jonny Weldon.
At its heart was Brass Coalition, a band assembled and conducted by Matthew Ruel involving no fewer than nine current and four former Friary players including Matthew himself. As well as accompanying the carols, the band also performed Rieks van der Velde’s arrangement of David Foster and Carol Bayer Sager’s The Prayer, featuring brothers Richard and Chris Straker on cornet and euphonium, and Cool Yule, Martyn Thomas’ arrangement of Good King Wenceslas.
Sarcoma UK’s Director of Fundraising and Communications Kerry Reeves-Kneip commented: “I had to write to express our deepest thanks for your incredible performance at the carol concert. Without a doubt, this was our best concert yet, and your music played such a huge part in making it so special. There’s something magical about a brass band at Christmas, and you brought an extra sparkle of festive joy that made the whole evening extraordinary. Your rendition of Good King Wenceslas was absolutely magnificent – I found myself wishing it would never end,” she concluded.
Matthew added: “I am incredibly grateful to Friary Band for their unwavering support and friendship, particularly those members whose talent helped make it possible to form Brass Coalition and support Sarcoma UK, bringing hope and joy to those affected by sarcoma this Christmas – thank you.”
Brass Coalition also included players from Alder Valley Brass, Ascot Brass, Cobham Band, Epsom & Ewell Silver Band, Kidlington Concert Brass, Saint Sebastian Wokingham Band, Wantage Silver Band and Wotton Silver Band.
MEADOWS CAROLLING:
Each year, the run up to Christmas sees Friary at Camberley’s The Meadows Centre, playing carols and festive music to raise funds from shoppers. Historically, the donations have been split equally between band funds and the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust: in a bizarre and unfortunate coincidence, the first such event was held just some six months before a former Friary player had need of the air ambulance himself following a mountain biking accident.
This year the Band’s chosen charity will be Macmillan Cancer Support. Band Chairman David Wicks explains: “Whilst our fundraising for KSAAT turned out to be much closer to home than we had originally envisaged, with two of our players currently undergoing treatment for cancer, it’s now appropriate to direct our efforts to Macmillan. We hope that shoppers will give generously to help this worthy charity which provides all round support for those affected by cancer.”
Friary will be at The Meadows on Sunday 22 nd December from 11.00am until 3.00pm. We do hope to see you there!
FRIARY IN THE COMMUNITY:
As mentioned in the November issue, I duly returned to my aunt’s nursing home in early December to present a selection of Christmas-inspired music to the residents. As well as carols which the residents joined in singing, we all enjoyed other Christmas favourites such as The Snowman, Sleigh Ride and Frosty the Snowman. Mindful that it was still early December, I also put in a few pieces with Christmassy words in the title, such as Star Lake and Gabriel’s Oboe. We finished with the rousing Three Kings Swing. Although I’d always recognised the basic tune from Bizet’s L’Arlesienne Suite, I’d never quite understood why William Himes’ jazzy version referred to the three kings, but apparently the tune is in fact a much older Provencale tune known as The March of the Kings. Every day’s a school day!
RANKING NEWS:
There’s been no update as yet since 1st October, so Friary still stands at 30th in the world in the 4barsrest.com table. In the brassstats.com table, Friary is now ranked 27th following the update on 1st December.
EASY FUNDRAISING:
Did you know that many of your on-line purchases could raise funds for the Band, AT NO COST TO YOU? Register at easyfundraising.org.uk, nominate the band as your chosen charity to support and route your purchases via the easyfundraising website. If you can help us in this way we would be very grateful – every little helps.
AND FINALLY:
It just remains for me on behalf of Friary Brass Band to send you our very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year and to thank you for your ongoing interest and support. We hope to see you soon.
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