*
banner

Top Kat strengthens Friary National prospects

Katherine Hawkins joins the cornet ranks of Friary Guildford as they look towards their Albert Hall National Final assault.

Friary
  Kat will join up with the band for their Albert Hall assault

The London & Southern Counties Regional champion, Friary Guildford has boosted the strength of its cornet ranks as they look towards the second half of the contest year and their appearance at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall and beyond.

Katherine (Kat) Hawkins, joins from Sandhurst Silver. A former principal cornet of the Southern Counties Youth Band, Kat was awarded 'Player of the Week' by Ian Porthouse at this year's annual Easter residential course, and is currently studying Biomedical Science at the University of Surrey.

I'm thrilled to be joining Friary and I'm especially looking forward to the National Finals in OctoberKat Hawkins

Thrilled

She told 4BR: "I'm thrilled to be joining Friary and I'm especially looking forward to playing in the Championship Section."

A band spokesperson commented: "We're delighted to welcome Kat. She's an excellent player who will give us further strength in depth."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Grimethorpe Colliery Band

Corporate partnership shares ethos with Grimethorpe

January 16 • Grimethorpe announces corporate link with leading mobile and static welfare accommodation manufacturer to share long-standing commitment to community, charity, and local engagement.


Vanhoorne

Final NZ bow for Vanhoorne

January 16 • The inspirational Belgian conductor and cornet player will return home in April this year after enjoying a six year tenure of success in New Zealand.


Tredegar

Tredegar reunites for RNCM Festival

January 16 • The Welsh champion has welcomed a new signing as well as an old friend for their forthcoming RNCM International Brass Band Festival performance.


CalderPips

No hush hush approach for CalderPips new mutes

January 16 • The new mutes from the CalderPips team have already made a noise with the chatter from eager customers.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


East London Brass

January 16 • CORNET PLAYER - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a cornet player to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.


Enderby Band

January 16 • Following our 2nd place finish at the LBBA winter contest and recent promotion to the Senior Cup for the 2026 Spring Festival, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET, a BBb BASS and PERCUSSIONISTS to complete our friendly and hardworking team.


Petworth Town Band

January 15 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with concerts and engagements planned throughout the year.


Paul Andrews


Conductor, Band trainer, Adjudicator, Instrument Repairer - Brasstoff


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd