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On Sunday 13 th July Foden's performed to a large and enthusiastic audience at the Ironbridge Festival of Brass! The festival is set in the beautiful surroundings of the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron in Shropshire, featuring 20 brass bands performing over a two day period. Foden's are grateful to the 'Fodens Solicitors' https://www.fodens.co.uk/ for their support as they celebrate their 25th anniversary!
Since 2000, Foden's have travelled to Armagh, Northern Ireland each February to hold an annual concert and masterclass as guests of the Armagh OId Boys' Band. In the same year, the Armagh Summer School was launched and continues to be held annually open to brass and percussion players of all ages and abilities. All of these events were, and continue to be, the brainchild of Ivor Stevenson from the Armagh Old Boys Brass Band. Ivor continues to be a major driving force for the encouragement of brass playing in Northern Ireland. In honour of these achievements, he was awarded an MBE for his services to banding in Northern Ireland as well as becoming a Vice President of Foden's. The annual summer course gives brass enthusiasts the opportunity to study, learn, perform and socialise with tutors from Foden’s Band. Set in the historic city of Armagh, Northern Ireland, the course base is the City of Armagh High School between the 11 th and 16 th August. This year, delegates on the non residential course will spend a week of rehearsals and sectionals with Musical Director Mike Fowles, and tutors Mark Wilkinson & Richard Poole (Cornets), Jonathan Bates (Flugel & Horns), Gary Curtin & Mark Bousie (Euphoniums & Baritones), Shaun Farrington (Trombones), Stewart Baglin (Basses) and Anthony Mann (Percussion) - all for just £60! Further details via jastevenson4@hotmail.com
On Friday 20 th June, Foden's Band returned to the fantastic Victoria Hall, Hanley for a night of Community Music, sharing the stage with their fantastic Youth Band and Community Choirs - Alsager Community Choir, Dougie Mac Choir, Endon Community Choir, Fulford Community Choir & Ovation! Foden's Youth performed a number of 'extended' works under Musical Directors Mark Bousie & Mike Fowles with some truly outstanding solo playing in the first half, before the audience were treated to the Choir contributions under the direction of Dan Hollingshurst In the second half, Foden's revisited ‘CASSIUS: The Rumble in the Jungle’ set before bringing over 200 musicians together for a massed performance of ‘Make Your Own Kind of Music!' Thanks to sponsors Joseph Lymer & Son, and Horne Brothers for helping create such a memorable evening of music making!
On Thursday 12th June, Foden's were delighted to host Milwaukee Festival Brass from America who travelled to the UK to compete at the Saddleworth Whit Friday Marches. The band, under the direction of Dr Mark A Taylor, rehearsed in Foden's bandroom with Foden's MD Michael Fowles on their contest March, as well as concert items for their performance with Linthwaite Band whilst in England. Founded in 1985, Milwaukee Festival Brass are made up of volunteer brass and percussion players from all over Southeastern Wisconsin using traditional British Brass Band instruments.
From the first Whit Friday Marches in 1884, the event has grown in popularity. On Friday 13th June over 100 brass bands participated in twenty different contests at venues scattered around the areas of Tameside and Saddleworth. At each venue, bands march to a central location where they perform a contest march which is judged by an adjudicator. Foden's played the popular march 'The President' conducted by Michael Fowles. After this the band members get back on their coach, travel to the next village where they repeat the same procedure again! The contests are open to all-comers, so the local youth bands get to match their skills against the UK's top bands. For the players, the dash from contest to contest makes for an exhilarating (though exhausting) evening. Thousands of spectators travel to Saddleworth and Tameside to watch was it commonly called 'the greatest free show in the world'. Each contest offers prizes for the best band, best youth band, best soloists with each venue attracting between 50 - 70 bands. Each contest is organised by local volunteers with the running costs and prize money being raised by local donations, sponsorship and fund-raising events. At the end of the night (each contest has its own finish time which is usually around 11pm) the adjudicator announces the results. To qualify for the overall prize i.e. the Champion of Tameside or Saddleworth, bands must compete at a minimum of 6 venues and the band that has the best results takes the overall prize. This year Foden's competed at all 11 venues in Tameside starting at 4pm. Following the announcement of the results Foden's were crowned the 'Tameside Whit Friday Champions' for the 21st time in 22 years. In Tameside Foden's were placed 1st at 8 venues as well as receiving a 3 rd place and numerous individual awards.
On Sunday 8 th June Foden's travelled to 'Malvern Theatre' where they performed as part of the 'Elgar International Festival of Brass.' This prestigious Festival also featured Cory and Black Dyke with all bands performing a work(s) from the pen of featured composer Edward Gregson (who is celebrating his 80 th birthday). A large and receptive audience enjoyed a day of 'serious' music with bands also featuring an extended solo / concerto Foden's programme included 'Festival March, Chalk Farm No 2' and 'Essay' from the pen of Edward Gregson, 'The Children's Friend' by Wilfred Heaton (also recorded by Foden's in 2024) and a reprise of their 2026 European Own Choice test Piece 'Jesus in Tibet' by Simon Dobson. For their 'Concerto' Foden's performed 'Concerto Grosso' by Etienne Caussaz featuring Gary Curtin (Euphonium) and Mark Landon (Marimba) - Due to Foden's not owning a 5 octave Marimba (needed for this performance), they were extremely grateful to Adams Brass who arranged for this piece of equipment to be shipped from Holland with the assistance of Southern Percussion. Foden's would like to publicly thank both Companies for their help (and time) in making this possible!
Foden's are delighted to return to Sandbach Town Hall on the 17 th June to provide a varied and entertaining programme! The event is organised by Ann Nevitt and as well as having the chance to listen to the World's Number 1 Band, audience members will be able to enjoy a tasty hot pot supper (included in the price) served from 6.30pm Tickets available from Peever's Shop (Sandbach Town Centre), Burnell's Shop (Sandbach Town Centre), Sandbach Town Hall 01270 600835 or Ann Nevitt 01270 600851
Once again, Foden's are delighted to be hosting a pre-contest preview evening in London's Regent Hall on Friday 10th October ahead of the 2025 National Brass Band Championships in the Royal Albert Hall the following day! During the concert, Foden's will perform this year's set work - 'Symphony in Two Movements' by Edward Gregson, alongside a whole host of brass band works and featuring many of the band's incredible soloists! We're extremely grateful once again for support from Yamaha to make this event possible! Regent Hall, 275 Oxford Street, London, W1C 2DJ Friday 10th October, 2025 8pm www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens OR tickets@fodensband.co.uk
On Sunday 1 st June Foden's made a welcomed return to Burton Town Hall where they performed an entertaining programme to a large and appreciate audience. The band were also delighted to invite a member of their fantastic youth band to perform with Foden's. Youth Band Solo Horn player Isla Hawkins attended a number of rehearsals prior to the concert as well as performing in the concert Speaking about the event Michael Fowles commented 'We had a great time performing to a fantastic audience which contained a large number of current and ex brass band players. At Foden's we are all very passionate about Youth education and was delighted that Isla was able to perform with the band, she did a fantastic job!!!'
Young brass players from across the UK gathered in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, on Saturday May 24th to attend the first ‘masterclass’ training session staged as a collaboration between the Wychavon Festival of Brass (WFB) and members of the world famous Foden’s Band. Supporting and helping to develop young brass players has long been one of the objectives of WFB in addition to staging its annual contest. Historically, WFB has held frequent training sessions of one sort or another in the past but, for various reasons, has not been able to do so for several years. Happily, 2025 has seen the reintroduction of a youth project, achieved by joining forces with Foden’s and the hope is that this collaboration will become an annual event. The masterclass was held at Bromsgrove School, familiar to many brass players who may have attended summer schools there. Facilities are excellent and allowed the Foden’s team to rehearse in break-out groups before coming together to perform on stage in the prestigious Routh Hall for parents and siblings at the end of what had been a very busy day. The Foden’s contingent was led by MD Michael Fowles and in attendance were Mark Wilkinson, Darren Lea, Jonathan Bates, Stewart Baglin and Mark Landon who each led a sectional on their chosen instrument. Playing members of the WFB joined in the sectional rehearsals and on the performance stage. Michael was clearly impressed by the concentration levels, behaviour and ability of these young players who were all sight reading some tricky pieces! The concert programme consisted of three pieces and the band, most of whom had never met before Saturday, gave a stirring rendition of the march ‘Star Lake’. This was followed by an affecting and musically sound performance of the 2020 Fourth Section test piece ‘Neverland’ – quite an achievement in such a short space of time! The final item was a rattling performance a Foden’s special--- ‘Dynamite’, arranged for band ahead of the Foden’s 2024 South Korea tour. It was clear that everyone had a fruitful and enjoyable time. Parents and children found the day entertaining and useful, Foden’s player and WFB committee members had a lot of fun. Chief organizer of the day and WFB committee member Iain Willis was delighted at the outcome. “Things could hardly have gone better’’ he said as he was packing away. Chair of WFB, Val Trim is confident that this is a collaboration that will be fruitful in years to come. ‘The future of the brass band movement lies in the hands of our young players –and we must do all we can to support them.’ Mike agreed. ‘It’s great to be involved in projects such as this—and Foden’s were delighted to be there to encourage and enthuse our young players!’
