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Several players from the Friary band succeeded in wooing David Johnson, the adjudicator at the recent Southern Counties Amateur Band Association Solo, Quartet & Ensemble Contest, held on Sunday 14th February at Ringmer.
Star soloists
The band’s principal cornet player, Richard Straker, took first place in the Air Varie with his performance of ‘Zelda’, while the band’s principal trombone player, Ian Stewart, scooped third place with ‘Carnival of Venice’. Meanwhile, in the Slow Melody, the “lovely playing” of ‘My Ain Folk’ by Lauren Cave on flugel gave her a deserved first position, while Ian Stewart achieved another place on the podium with ‘In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning’.
Great groups
The winning soloists were joined by Nigel Stevens on horn and Alex Stevens on baritone to take first place in the Quartet with ‘Timepiece’ played in “good style”. The ensemble was then joined by Ian Stewart on trombone and Nigel Simmons on bass for a unique (!) rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, specially arranged for the group by David Howell. Although there were fewer entries in these sections, with only one other quartet, the Friary players gave two very enjoyable performances that were commended by the adjudicator.
Thanks
The band would like to thank Nigel Simmons and David Howell for conducting, and David for providing the soloists with piano accompaniment.
And now it’s back to rehearsals for the area contest – hopefully to repeat our success!
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