Champions Concert
	Champions Concert – Sunday 12th September, Connaught Leisure, Aldershot

A joint concert featuring three brass bands who have qualified in their sections for the National Championship Finals next month is to be held at Connaught Leisure, Aldershot on Sunday 12th September at 1.00 p.m. London & Southern Counties First Section winners Friary Guildford Band will be joined by Fulham Brass (winners, 3rd Section) and LGB Brass (runners up, 4th Section), each playing a short programme to include their respective Finals test piece. Presenter of BBC Radio 2’s ‘Listen to the Band’ programme, Frank Renton, will be in attendance to adjudicate each performance, and interval entertainment will be provided by youth band players. Light refreshments will also be available. “It’s a great way to hear some of the best bands from the region who should be at the top of their game in readiness for the National Finals at Harrogate later in September,” explained Friary Guildford’s PR officer, Tim Straker. “We are offering free admission for those aged 18 and under: after all, young players are the lifeblood which keeps the tradition of brass band music alive today,” he added. Tickets will be available at the door and will be priced at £5 for adults and £3 for senior citizens.

	Band of Brothers
	Friary Appoints Principal Euphonium

Friary Guildford Band are delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Straker to the principal euphonium seat. Chris, who has played on a temporary basis with Friary Guildford before, joins them following two and a half years playing baritone with reigning World, European and British Open champions, Cory Band. He studied music at Cardiff University, where he was tutored by euphonium virtuoso David Childs, and played for Mid Rhondda and BTM Bands before joining Cory. Prior to university, Chris was a member of the Hampshire County Youth Band and principal cornet of the North East Hampshire Area Schools Band, before switching to euphonium in 2004. ‘It was a huge privilege to play for Cory during such a successful period in their long and distinguished history and also their 125th anniversary year in 2009,’ said Chris. ‘However, I am equally thrilled to move back to Friary Guildford at a time when they have earned promotion to the Championship Section and qualified for the National Finals.’ Chris’ elder brother Richard is Friary’s principal cornet player. ‘It will seem strange at first seeing Richard playing opposite me,’ added Chris, ‘But it’ll be good to know he’ll be keeping a brotherly eye on me!’

	Top Brass
	A busy weekend for Friary Guildford

High flying Friary Guildford Band continued their recent run of success last weekend. Competing against other leading bands from across the UK at the prestigious British Open Spring Festival in Blackpool last Saturday, they were awarded 4th place out of 20 in the Senior Trophy. Top adjudicators Dr Robert Childs (Musical Director of world no. 1 ranked Cory Band) and Richard Marshall (Principal cornet player of Black Dyke Band) commented: 'Bravo. A super show.' and 'A strong performance from a strong band.' Heading straight back down the M6 to take part in the Southern Counties Amateur Bands Association (‘scaba’) Entertainment Contest at The Hawth, Crawley on Sunday, they won the competition, by a healthy margin. “It was one heck of a weekend, but a very rewarding one – well worth all the practice and effort,” said Band Chairman, Tim Gregory. Earlier this year, Friary Guildford Band won both the London & Southern Counties Regional Championship (First Section) and the scaba Spring Contest at Hove last month. Their result in the Regional Championship earned them promotion to the Championship Section, and a trip to Harrogate to take part in the National Championship Finals in September. Friary Guildford Band have a busy programme of concerts and events over the coming months. You can hear them at The Summer Fun Day, Greenfield School, Woking (26th June); College Garden, Westminster Abbey (7th July); Gostrey Meadow, Farnham (18th July); and St James’s Park, London (25th July).