Abstract: A stage of vanes, the vanes being embedded in a ring wherein the stage includes a ferrule concentric with the ring, an outer portion of the vanes having a free extremity which extends into a gas stream. A base portion of the vanes extends beyond the ring with respect to the gas stream and have a respective block located at an opposite end, the block rubbing against the ferrule. One of the block and a surface of the ferrule having a coating for reducing friction and a dampening material fills a space between the ring and a surface of the ferrule. Each block may include covering regions which rub against a neighboring block and the blocks may also have a friction surface formed with grooves. In addition, the stage may include a plurality of springs wherein the springs bias the block against the ferrule.