Friary Guildford Band’s bass section is celebrating the arrival of a brand new set of Yamaha Neo instruments, purchased with the help of funding via the suppliers, Rosehill of Beaconsfield.
EEb bass player and Band Librarian Phil German explains: ‘Some of our previous basses were nearly 30 years old, and gave us great service – we won the Best Bass Section Award at the Butlins Mineworkers contest in 2015 – but frankly they were no longer of the standard we need as a Championship Section band. Thanks to the finance package offered by Paul Austin at Rosehill, we have now been able to equip the section with top quality instruments, something that has been on our wish list for a while.’
Band Chairman Nigel Stevens added: ‘This is a further major investment for the Band, following the purchase of new timpani towards the end of last year, but it was well overdue. Careful management of our finances means we have the ability to take on this commitment which will help strengthen the Band’s future rather than jeopardise it.’
‘Our tuba players have worked wonders with their old instruments, but they now have the right tools to do the job as Friary continues to progress,’ he concluded.
(l-r) Kevin Cole, Nigel Simmons, Paul Austin, Ross Graham, Phil German, Duncan Ford
Hear the new basses in action with Friary Guildford Band on 23rd April at St Andrews Church, Farnham.
www.friaryguildfordband.co.uk