30th June 2004

Fodens commence their self promotional concerts with a high note

Fodens Richardson Band held the first in a number of self promotional concerts at the 'Clonter Opera Theatre' Swettenham on the 26th June before a capacity audience. The concert entitled 'A night at the opera' featured the Fodens Richardson Band and two opera singers, Kate Brian (soprano) and Dominica Matthews (mezzo soprano) who sang duets and arias in a programme that included many operatic favourites. The concert was arranged by the band's
Chairman of the trustees Steven Sebire and proved a huge success.

Amongst guests present were the Chief Executive of Congleton Borough Council Glyn Cambers, Reg Shallcross from Sandbach Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Councillor John Moore and the Chief Executive of South East Cheshire Enterprise Peter Whiers who are all behind a multi million pound bid to build the 'Saxon Centre' under the 'Market Towns Initiative' . The 'Saxon Centre' is a purpose built complex that will have an arts and cultural centre, Chamber of Commerce, learning centre and multi purpose entailment theatre and rehearsal facilities that will house the Fodens
Richardson Band'.

Fodens Richardson have a number of other exciting self promotional concerts planned featuring major artists that will be reported on in due course.

19th June 2004

"Foden's Future is Secure!"

"In response to the article of the 17th of June quoted on 4Bars Rest "Foden's home in Peril", the Foden's Richardson Band are pleased to make the following statement:

The band are pleased to announce that they have entered into an association with South East Cheshire Enterprises Limited, who are a working partnership between Congleton Chamber of Commerce and the Congleton Borough Coucil, for the development of the Saxon Centre Project. This project is part of the Sandbach market town initiative and will secure the band's long term future in the heart of Sandbach.

The flagship project within this initiative is a multi-purpose building comprising of business creations units, business incubator space, a learning centre, an enterprise centre and a multiple use concert & multimedia facility.

The centrepiece of this muli-million pound project is the development of a modern, custom built band centre which will comprise of rehearsal facility, concert hall performance area for up to 500, all supported by a commercial enterprise based around the band's history, world class reputation and excellence in performance.

This exciting development for the band forms the basis of the band's ongoing business programme and their local and youth band development programmes.

Responding directly to the 4 Bars Rest article, band Chairman Colin Short said, "Clearly the article recently released on 4 Bars Rest was inaccurate. The band administration have been working tirelessly over the last several months in negotiating and securing our place in this important venture for the Foden's Richardson Band. It would have been our intention to announce this at a more appropriate time, when things were a little more advanced than they are at this stage. However, as there is an appetite for news, I considered it important to set the record straight at this time and to quash any unfounded rumours about the band's future".

Commenting further on the development itself, Colin added, "The Saxon Centre will provide the band with a secure base in the long term and represents and important way forward for banding in the modern age. This centre, with the continued support of our sponsors, Richardson Developments Ltd, puts the band in a very enviable and secure position going forward."

10th June 2004

Whit Friday 2004 Results

Seven victories for Fodens on the Tameside Whit Friday march contests saw the band crowned as "overall circuit champions". They also claimed two seconds and two thirds.

More detailed information can be found at 4barsrest & whitfriday.brassbands.saddleworth.org

7th June 2004

Historic Fodens recordings saved

Allan Littlemore, one of the movements stalwart administrators and a man with a passion for the famous Fodens band of yesteryear has saved his huge personal collection of recordings of the band by having them accepted by the British Library.

This is how he did it more...

30th May 2004

All England Masters 2004

Results:

1st. Yorkshire Building Society, David King
2nd. Brighouse & Rastrick, James Gourlay
3rd. Reg Vardy (Ever Ready), Ray Farr
4th. SWT Woodfalls, Steve Bastable
5th. Ransome, Russell Gray
6th. Flowers, Phillip Harper
7th. Averlely & Newham, David Roberts
8th. Foden's Richardson, Simon Stonehouse
9th. Travelshpere Holidays
10th. Redbridge
11th. Sellers International
12th. EYMS, Garetth Pritchard
13th. Carlton Main,
14th. Thoresby Colliery
15th. Rothwell Temperance
16th. Camborne
17th. Yorkshire Imperial Urquart Travel,
18th. JAG Mount Charles
19th. Besses o' th' Barn

Test Piece: Harrision's Dream, Peter Graham

Adjudicators: Roy Newsome, David Read, James Scott

10th May 2004

Richardson Award for Composition

The Foden's Richardson band are pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural Richardson Award for Competition.

After receiving overwhelming support from composer and arrangers from all over Europe, the band's original competition timetable was extended to ensure each entry was given full time and consideration.

The objective of the Richardson Award was to encourage new and established composers and arrangers to arrange new concert repertoire that would be accessible to all listeners.

We are delighted to announce that following a thorough review by the organising committee and members of the Foden's Richardson band, that two winners have been selected in the categories of best original composition and best arrangement. These two pieces will be featured in Foden's concerts over the next 12 months.

Winners of both sections will receive £1,000.00.

The first prize for composition has been awarded to Frode Rydland from Norway for his energetic and exciting concert opener, "Hey Hey".

The first prize for arrangement has been awarded to Alan Morrison for a simply breathtaking arrangement of "Somewhere over the Rainbow".

Congratulations to both Frode and Alan on two very fine submissions.

Finally, the Foden's Richardson Band would like to thank all entrants, finalist and the two eventual prize winners in this inaugural Foden's Richarson Award for Composition. We encourage all those who entered pieces to check for the launch of the next competition and would also invite other composers and arrangers to submit entries. Please check the band's website for further details.

6th May 2004

Foden's Richardson Announce New signings

Foden's Richardson are pleased to announce the signing of Anna Hughes on Solo Cornet who joins from YBS and John Davies who joins on BBb Bass from Faireys. Anna brings a wealth of experience to the band after playing with
Fodens in the early 90s and being principal cornet with Besses prior to joining YBS on Solo Cornet. John Davies is regarded as one on the leading bass players in the country having played solo EEb Bass with YBS and Grimethorpe prior to joining Faireys. Both players will be making their debut with Foden's Richardson at the forth coming All England Masters.

27th April 2004

Fodens send out their star coaches

Youngster have been getting the chance to learn from the stars of the Foden's Richardson Band.

The Fodens Richardson coaching team (comprising of principal players from the band) have been extremely busy this year with visits to the 'Fulborn and Tavisham Youth Band', 'Lions Youth Band', 'Stockport Schools Brass Band' and have been booked to hold a coaching day with the 'North West Brass Band Association' and the 'Stoke Local Authority Brass Band' later in the year.

Speaking about the Fodens Richardson Youth Policy their co ordinator Mark Wilkinson said, "Foden's Richardson have been running a Youth Policy since 1998 which entails principal players from the band visiting various youth organisations where sectional, masterclasses and full rehearsals are held.

These training days have proved extremely successful and enjoyable for all parties involved. Over the past 6 years the team have held over 25 of these events around the country and passed on the expertise and knowledge to hundreds of young brass players."

If anyone would like any further information on the policy please contact Mark Wilkinson.

6th April 2004

Musical Director

Foden's Richardson Band announced today, that they have parted company with Musical Director Thomas Wyss. Commenting on the news, band secretary Pete Coulson said, "The band had decided that the time was appropriate to make a change in the Musical Director's position with immediate effect. We would like to thank Tom publicly for the fine work he has done with the band over the last 8 monhts, in particular the band's successful trip to Chicago in November where he directed them to the inagural US Brass Band Champion title."

At present, the band have not appointed a replacement musical director to take over, as they are consulting with Principal Conductor Bram Tovey concerning potential replacements. However, the band are delighted to announce that Richard Evans will take over as musical director for the majority of the band's busy concert schedule for the remainder of the 2004 concert season

14th March 2004

North West Area 2004 - Results

Foden's Richardson were placed 4th at this years North West Area Contest. Congratulations go to Leyland and Wingates who join Fairey FP at the National Finals in October.

Test Piece: Tristan Encounters - Martin Ellerby

1. Leyland, Garry Cutt, 7, 197
2. Fairey FP (Music), Allan Withington, 9, 196
3. Wingates, Roy Curran, 4, 194
4. Fodens Richardson, Thomas Wyss, 11, 193
5. British Telecom, Mike Fowles, 10, 192
6. Haydock, Lynda Nicholson, 2, 190
7. Dobcross Silver, Dennis Hadfield, 3, 188
8. Besses o' th' Barn, Steve Sykes, 187
9. Freckleton, Peter Dalton, 5, 185
10. Longridge, Stephen Booth, 6, 183
11. United Co-op (Crewe), Jef Sparkes, 8, 182

Withdrawn - Ashton Under Lyne, Graham Williams

Adjudicator: Dr. Roy Newsome

17th February 2004

Foden's Richardson Band Patrons Concert

Fodens Richardson Band gave their February Patrons concert last Tuesday at Sandbach School.

The band's Patrons, friends and local dignitaries, who had helped raise funds for the band to travel and compete in the US Open last November, were keen to see the first prize trophy which was on display. They were entertained by music to suit all tastes including the march Sempre Fidelis, Birdland, Folk Festival and the ever-popular finisher Elsa's Procession to the Minster. Radetsky March was the encore with the Trio sung rather than played! The soloists were Alan Wycherley and Helen Fox in Pie Jesu, Glyn Williams with The Swan, Mark Landon with Xylomania and the entire cornet section with Hora Staccato.

Helen Fox and Alan Wycherley

The evening was lead by the inimitable Richard Evans who also presented the Foden's Richardson Band annual awards. Bandsman of the Year was awarded to Alan Wycherley and Player of the Year to Helen Fox.

8th February 2004

Fodens Richardson Band in Armagh 2004

The Fodens Richardson Band completed their fourth weekend trip to Armagh in Northern Ireland from 23rd to 25th January 2004.

As guests of Armagh 1st Old Boys Band, Fodens gave two concerts at The Market Place Theatre and a day of workshops with local bandspeople.

The concerts were well received, as always in Armagh, and were played both evenings to a full house. The audiences were treated to two programmes of music ranging from John Williams Phantom Menace Suite (featured on the band's latest CD "John Williams Epic Themes") to Paganini Variations. The band's soloists were featured along the way with Drink to me Only (Alan Wycherley), Miss Blue Bonnett (Mark Wilkinson), My Ain Folk (Helen Fox), Capriccio Brillante (Martin Armstrong), Xylomania (Mark Landon) and La Belle Americaine & Brillante (Glyn Williams).

Fodens had a wonderful weekend of both music making and socialising hosted by the Old Boys Band and would like to thank once again Ivor Stevenson and his team for their fantastic hospitality.

1st February 2004

Richardson Award

The Foden's Richardson Band are now pleased to announce the Final stage of its Composer/Arranger Competition "The Richardson Award".

It is the band's intention to perform all the final 11 pieces at a concert to be held at the Royal Northern College of Music sometime in April, hopefully under the baton of the band's principal conductor Mr Bramwell Tovey.

The job of putting all this together is now in the very capable hands of Philip Biggs, the band's new Commercial Manager.

After the overwhelming interest in the competition the band feel very strongly that time should be taken to co-ordinate the availability of :

The college facility, Mr Tovey, the adjudicators and the band themselves, so as to finish off the project with as much thought that went into each and every one of the 122 entries.

The final 11 entries are (In alphabetical order) :
E N (paradoxically) Sachi Uchida
Gambit Simon Kerwin
Hey Hey Frode Ryland
Modal Sketches Naomi Cornish
Remember Leigh Baker
Stagebury Hill Richard Taylor
Suite Number 1 Philip Harper
AND
Clash of the Titans Roger Thorne
Don Pasquale Peter Roberts
God Bless the Child A G Bartelds
Somewhere Over the Rainbow Alan Morrison

Please could all the above Composer/Arrangers contact Alan Wycherley at prufung2@aol.com or in writing to give their permission for their entries to be performed at the Final Gala Concert, details of which will be announced as soon as possible.

Alan Wycherley

19th January 2004

Press Release from Warrenpoint Silver Band - Soloists In Concert In Warrenpoint

Warrenpoint Silver Band are especially pleased to report on their successful acquisition of new instruments purchased thanks to an Arts Council of N. Ireland, lottery grant. The instruments are of French make, namely Courtois which are used by the Foden's Richardson Band, one of the top brass bands in England. As a result of the purchase and contacts with the supplier Fred Rhodes Ltd, two soloists from the Foden's Richardson band will be visiting to guest at a concert in Warrenpoint Town Hall on 20th March 2004. Mark Wilkinson principal cornet and Glyn Williams principal euphonium will be playing various solos with Warrenpoint Silver, rehearsals are already underway. Also playing at the concert will be the Altnaveigh House Brass Group and Accord a barbershop harmony quartet from West Midlands, England.

11th January 2004

Commercial Manager

The Foden's Richardson band is delighted to announce the appointment of Philip Biggs as Commercial Manager. This is a new position which the band has created. Band Chairman Colin Short said "it is vital in todays world that the business affairs of the band are run in a progressive and professional manner and Philips appointment would further strengthen the Foden's Richardson Band organistaion". Philip said that he was delighted when he was approached by Fodens, having worked with the band on a number of occasions in the last three to four years, and now looked forward to an ever closer relationship with them. Philip will commence work with Fodens with immediate effect.