On Sunday 28th April, Foden’s Youth Band enjoyed a visit from Brassband Pro Rege’s B-Band, from The Netherlands. The two bands took part in joint rehearsals with the team of Fodens’ tutors in the morning and gave a concert together at Sandbach School in the afternoon with over 100 musicians taking to the stage. . 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 this year. 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. Speaking about the event, Foden's Youth co ordinator Mel Whyle commented 'Foden's Youth had a fantastic time working and performing alongside members of the Pro Rege's B Band. We hope this is the start of a close friendship between both bands and thank Hendry van Loo and his team for arranging the visit.' 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 our Foden's Youth Band Page

The final track of a new CD fusing together Foden's with one of Britain's leading composers has been recorded with Sandbach man, Ken Talbot, secretary of the Malcolm Arnold Society, there to hear it. Ken has helped fuse together Foden's Band with the music of the Oscar-winning composer's work for the "Malcolm Arnold - Music for Brass Band' cd. Foden's travelled to Manchester on the 27 th April to record the 'Song of Freedom' with the Choir of Chetham's School.  "The performance was exceptional and the choir very good indeed. Foden's gave their usual highly polished performance. The lyrics to the piece recorded which was "Song of Freedom" were written as poems by children on the subject of Freedom. They are, therefore, uplifting and optimistic." said Ken. The full album is available to pre-order for a reduced price NOW! Visit the link below to see full details! https://the-malcolm-arnold-society.sumupstore.com/product/pre-order-copy-of-the-foden-s-band-cd-of-malcolm-s-music