Friary septet ready for Albert Hall debut

Seven players will make their Albert Hall National Final debut this weekend with Friary Brass Band.

Seven players will make their Albert debuts this weekend with the band

Wednesday, 02 October 2024

Friary Brass returns to the Royal Albert Hall this weekend boosted by seven players all making their National Final debut.

They are tuba players Pat Donovan, Cat Whittingham-Smith and Chris Pearce, Kendall Skirving and Jack Beer on cornet, Glen Carroll on soprano and Peter Fewster on trombone.

Looking forward

Looking forward to the experience, Glen told 4BR: "Playing at the Albert Hall has definitely been on the bucket list, so I know I'm really looking forward to playing on stage on Saturday,"

Meanwhile, Jack added: "After being in and around the banding scene my whole life, it's a great feeling to be able to play at the National Final. Hopefully it will be the first of many more to come."

Dream come true

For Pat, it is a dream finally come true. "I've been involved in the brass band world for 53 years and never believed I would make the stage at the RAH. All my family are going to enjoy it as much as me."

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