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By Mark Wilkinson 06 Mar, 2024
As part of their 'Youth Develpoment Policy' Foden's are delighted to be able to offer free tickets (to those aged under 18) for a forthcoming concert on the 21st March at Congleton Town Hall, commencing at 7.30pm The concert will feature a reprise of the band's award-winning programmes 'Advertures of Robin Hood' as well as 'Prince Ali - From Rags to Riches' which were both composed for the 'Brass in Concert Entertainment Contests' in 2022 and 2023 Speaking about the initiative Mark Wilkinson commented 'We are extremely passionate about encouraging the next generation and delighted that we are able to offer free tickets as part of this on going policy. We want to inspire young musicians and adding this initiative to our other Youth outreach projects with hopefully help.' Tickets via https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens
By Mark Wilkinson 06 Mar, 2024
Foden’s Youth Band Presents Brass Band Pro-Rege Herenveen B -Orkest Sunday 28th April 2024 In April, Foden’s Youth Band will welcome Brassband Pro Rege’s B-Band, from The Netherlands. The two bands will take part in joint rehearsals and will give a concert together at Sandbach School in the afternoon of Sunday 28th April at 2pm. Brassband Pro Rege is based in Heerenveen in the North of The Netherlands. The band was formed in 1924, so celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2024. The Brassband Pro-Rege organisation comprises an A-band and a B-band. The A-band is an ambitious group of musicians and plays at a respected level of the first division in The Netherlands. The band is conducted by Anne van der Berg and attends the Dutch National Championships yearly, with several wins in the last few years. The B-band is an enthusiastic group of musicians in full development. Most of the 25 musicians are between the age of 9 and 16. The B-band is conducted by Hendry van Loo and developed last year from a starter ensemble to a full brass band of 5th division level. Brassband Pro-Rege can be found online at www.proregeheerenveen.nl or you can find the band’s page on Facebook. Foden’s Youth Band meet 10 times per year in Sandbach, Cheshire on a Sunday morning (9:45am-1:15pm) with concerts 2-3 times per year. The band is open to brass and percussion players aged 21 or under who have reached a minimum standard of Grade 5. New members are always welcome, for information and to apply, please visit www.fodensband.co.uk/youth The two bands will feature in a concert on Sunday 28th April in the theatre at Sandbach School, Crewe Road CW11 3NS. Tickets are priced at £3 for adults and free for under 16s. Proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to Brassband Pro Rege’s B-Band fundraising efforts towards the costs of their visit to the UK. Tickets can be purchased in advance from www.priorbooking.com/u/fyb or on the door on the day.
By Mark Wilkinson 26 Feb, 2024
On Sunday 25 th February Foden's Band competed at the 'North West Area' contest held at the Winter Gardens Blackpool. The UK is split into various 'regions' and the top two placed bands at each regional contest is invited to represent their 'region' at the National Finals, held at the Royal Albert Hall London in October. The top four placed bands from the previous years 'National Finals' receive an automatic qualification, due to Foden's being placed runner up at this contest we had already received an invitation to the 2024 Finals. Foden's competed against 11 other bands performing the set test piece 'Variations on an Enigma' by Philip Sparke and were announced as the Champions for the eight consecutive year and also won the prize for the best Principal Cornet Adjudicators: Anne Crookston and Alan Morrison Foden's (Russell Gray)** KNDS Fairey (Phil Chalk)* Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ryan Watkins)* Leyland (Daniel Brooks) Oldham (Lees) (John Collins) Wingates (Andrea Price) Milnrow (Lee Skipsey) Acceler8 (Jef Sparkes) Rainford (Sarah Groarke-Booth) Longridge (Mark Peacock) Manx Concert Brass (Ian Clague MBE) Ashton under Lyne (Martyn Evans) ** Pre-qualified for invitation to National Final * Qualified for invitation to National Final Best Principal Cornet: Mark Wilkinson (Foden's) Best Soprano: Chris Musgrave (Pemberton Old Wigan DW) Youngest Player: Marvin Wong (Wingates) — aged 14
By Mark Wilkinson 22 Feb, 2024
On the 20 th February we had the pleasure of giving a special concert in Sandbach to celebrate our wonderful patron's association, which currently boasts well over 400 members worldwide! The programme featured a sneak-preview of Philip Sparke's 'Variations on an Enigma' ahead of our North West Regional Brass Band Contest appearance later that week as well as solos from Principal Horn Jonathan Bates, Principal Euphonium Gary Curtin and Flugel Horn Melanie Whyle, plus our 'Prince Ali: From Rags to Riches' set! PATRONS ASSOCATION Our Patrons Association was formed in 1987 to allow people to support the band and live music making in the UK. The band relies on the support of it's patrons to continue providing high quality performances across the UK and beyond. For more information and how to join, please click the link below! www.fodensband.co.uk/patrons Photos courtesy of Stewart Green
By Mark Wilkinson 20 Feb, 2024
On the 17 th February we had the pleasure of performing the Gala Concert at Warwick University upon the completion of the 'Uni Brass' contest. The contest attracted 30 bands from across the Country consisting of 820 participants. The contest was split into two sections with our very own John Barber and Mark Landon adjudicating one of the sections and Mark Wilkinson leading a masterclass to brass players during the course of the day. The bands 'guest soloist' for the concert was the fantastic James Fountain, Principal Trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra. The Uni Brass committee ran a very successful composer contest, the winning entry was entitled ‘Calling’ by Naomi Hill (who also won our inaugural Female Composer Competition last year!). Foden's performed this work in the concert Congratulations and thanks to all the organisers for once again running one of the most important events in the banding calendar - keeping the music playing for university students across the UK!
By Mark Wilkinson 13 Feb, 2024
On the 2 nd February Foden's returned to Armagh for a weekend of musical activities. As well as a concert in the First Presbyterian Church, which saw Foden's perform their award winning 'Prince Ali - From Rags to Riches' set, the band worked with a large number of young performers in a master class situation. Young soloists were given the opportunity to perform a solo, accompanied by the band, with the relevant Foden's principal player giving constructive spoken feedback as well as addressing the large audience consisting of parents, teachers and supporters. The session was concluded with a number of massed items, where the soloists, teachers and supporters joined ranks with Foden's. Plans are in place for the bands 24 th visit next year! 
By Mark Wilkinson 30 Jan, 2024
Widely regarded as the finest big band singer in the UK, Matthew Ford returns to The Grange Theatre with the British Open champions and world's number one ranked band Foden’s, for their Salute to Sinatra and the Swing Legends evening. Voted Best UK Male Big Band Vocalist, and nominated alongside Jamie Cullum in the inaugural Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards, Matthew makes regular appearances with the John Wilson Orchestra, BBC Big Band and performed for five years with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Foden's and Matthew will perform the great hits of Sinatra and plenty of Swing’s finest moments – including That’s Life, Sway, Luck be a Lady, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Do Nothing ‘till You Hear from Me and many more’. Tickets Fodens Band - Matthew Ford | The Grange Theat e
By Mark Wilkinson 29 Jan, 2024
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By Mark Wilkinson 26 Jan, 2024
On Friday 26 th January we will open the 2024 RNCM Brass band Festival with a varied programme ranging from pillars of our movement's repertoire to brand new commissions especially for this year's festival. We also look forward to welcoming back Sheona Wade after her recent CD recording with the band, to perform the world premiere of the tenor horn version of Kevin Houben's 'Legend of a Giant.' PROGRAMME: Fantasy for Brass Band (Malcolm Arnold) Legend of a Giant (Kevin Houben) - Tenor Horn Soloist: Sheona Wade Hope (Dorothy Gates) Allpamenta (UK première) (Ignacio Freijo) Pest Is Where the Noise Is At (world première) (Kámea Németh) Ragtimes and Habaneras (Hans Werner Henze) Epic Symphony (Percy Fletcher) https://www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/fodens-band-rncm-international-brass-band-festival/
By Mark Wilkinson 16 Jan, 2024
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