Foden's are excited to announce that they will return to Armagh on Saturday 31st January 2026 for their annual Gala Concert and FREE day-workshop in partnership with the Armagh Old Boys Silver Band. WORKSHOP DETAILS: Brass Blast with Foden's Band (Open for all ages - this is an opportunity to come and play alongside Foden's Band) 12:00pm - 2:30pm 1st Presbyterian Church Armagh Please contact Julie-Anne or Ivor Stevenson for further information and numbers for catering purposes For further information and tickets please contact: Julie-Anne Stevenson: jastevenson4@hotmail.com Ivor Stevenson: ivorbob@hotmail.com or 07734303005 Gordon Stewart: 07889286427 Dessie Watson: 07828693611 The event is thanks to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Department for Communities

Following the success of last months sectionals (which saw over 100 musicians travel to Sandbach to work on next year Area test pieces) Foden's are delighted to announce further dates in 2026! In addition to the brass sessions previously provided, the North West Champions will provide workshop sessions for eager percussionists (across the four sections) with all the various percussion instruments provided in their band room. Conductors can arrange online sessions with Michael Fowels  17th January - Euphs / Baris - Gary Curtin 17/18th January - Trombones - John Barber 18th January - Basses - Andy Cattanach 24th January - Cornets / Sopranos - Mark Wilkinson 25th January - Percussion - Mark Landon 7th February - Horns / Flugels - Mike Eccles Further information can be obtained via marklwilky@hotmail.com prior to the 10th January deadline

Foden's are delighted to announce the signing of Mike Eccles on Flugel Horn following the departure of Melanie Whyle. Mike is no stranger to Foden's having originally joined in 1998 on 3rd cornet, holding various positions within the section culminating in the band’s Nationals victory in 1999. Following his departure from Foden's, Mike held positions with YBS and Hepworth Bands, before joining Fairey’s in 2004. Whilst at Fairey's, he moved onto flugel and became the musical director of the Acid Brass project. After 11 years at Fairey’s, he joined Brighouse and Rastrick where he spent the next 10 years leaving after their British Open victory in September. Musical Director Michael Fowles commented: “Mike is a fine musician and a high quality, established soloist who I’m looking forward to working with very much, he will be a great addition to Foden's.”

Foden's final concert of the year saw the departure of Solo Cornet player Paul McDonald and Flugel Melanie Whyle who are both leaving the band due to a combination of work and family reasons. Paul originally joined Foden's in 2002, and since 2013 has been the band’s 'bumper up' with Mel originally joining on repiano in 2011 before switching to Flugel Horn. Despite the pair leaving the Band, Paul will continue to provide Web / IT support with Mel deputising for the band when needed as well as continuing as the Foden's Youth Band’s administrator. Conductor Michael Fowles thanked both members for their long and dedicated service as well as presenting them with a framed photo! 

On Sunday 14th December Foden's brought 2025 to a close with their annual Christmas Concert in Sandbach being joined by their amazing community band; before, during the interval and also for a massed encore of Jingle Bells! The band also took the opportunity to award their two annual awards, both of which are voted for by members of the band , this year's recipients are: BANDSPERSON OF THE YEAR - DARREN LEA 

On Saturday 6th December Foden's held their first Christmas concert of the year to an appreciative audience in Crewe! On Sunday 7th they returned to Sandbach to perform alongside the fantastic Matt Ford for their annual 'Memories of Christmas' show to a full house! The concert also featured the 'Fodenettes!' (Terri, Grace and Ashley). This concert was directed by John Barber who arranged all the show content Foden's return to Sandbach this weekend to perform 'Wallace and Gromit' and other Christmas favourites on Saturday and then their annual Christmas concert on Sunday! Saturday (Sandbach School Theatre) 11am and 12.30 - https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens Sunday (Sandbach School Sports Hall) - 2pm pay on the door

On Saturday 29 th November Foden's travelled to St Asaph, Wales upon the invitation of President Paul Mealor to perform a concert to celebrate his 50th birthday. The concert featured music, requested by Paul as well as including the band's recent 'Brass in Concert' entertainment set 'EXODUS - Moses in Egypt.' To commemorate the passing of Elgar Howarth earlier this year the band programme two movements from Mussorgsky's 'Pictures at an Exihibution' (who scored the entire work for Brass Band) The highlight of the concert was a World Premiere of a major new composition from Paul entitled 'Tranquil Abiding' as well as the first performance of 'The Callender March' in over 100 years! The concert was recorded by BBC radio to be broadcast across BBC Radio Wales and Radio 3 in the coming months (stay tuned for more information!) Full Programme  The Callender March - Percy Fletcher A Welsh Fantasy - Trad arr Gordon Langford Vivat Regina - William Mathias Sosban Fach - Gareth Wood Tranquil Abiding - Paul Mealor Interval EXODUS: Moses in Egypt Ubi Caritas - Paul Mealor Baba Yaga and The Great Gate of Kiev - Mussorgsky arr Elgar Howarth

Foden's are delighted to announce the signing of Ollie Jackson who joins the bands percussion team from Carlton Main Originally from Sheffield, Oliver is a drummer and percussionist currently studying at the Royal Northern College of Music under the tutorage of Simone Rebello. His musical journey began at the age of nine, learning drums and piano before joining the Oughtibridge band aged 16. After two years, he progressed to Carlton Main and has also had opportunities to perform and compete across several European countries with Youth Brass 2000. Alongside brass bands, Oliver performs with a wide range of ensembles such as orchestras, wind orchestras, musical theatre groups and function bands, helping him build strong experience across all percussion disciplines, including orchestral percussion, timpani, tuned percussion and drum kit. Ollie commented 'I’m so grateful for my time at Carlton Main and to have been a part of a great band, I now look forward to joining Foden’s and beginning the next chapter in my journey’ On behalf of Foden's Mark Landon commented 'We are delighted that Ollie has joined Foden's, he is a fantastic all rounder who will be a valuable addition to our section and band' 

Following the announcement of the 2026 Area test Pieces in September, Foden's launched a new initiative giving competitors the opportunity of working with the bands Principal players and Conductor on these challenging works. Over the past couple of weeks Michael Fowles, Mark Wilkinson, Gary Curtin, John Barber, Jonathan Bates and Andy Cattanach have held sectionals / sessions on the 4 th - 1 st area pieces which has seen nearly 100 members travel to Sandbach. As well as working on these test pieces, the sessions also covered various aspects of brass playing and score preparation. Speaking about the initiative Mark Wilkinson commented 'The overall feedback has been fantastic and we are delighted that we have been able to give competitors a heads up well in advance of the contests. We have been delighted with the response with players travelling from as far as Weymouth, London and Yorkshire for the sessions. Due to the project success we will be shortly advertising further dates in mid to late January'