Armagh Old Boys Summer School celebrates 20th Anniversary with help from Foden's tutors
Mark Wilkinson • Aug 30, 2022
The Armagh Old Boys Silver Band where delighted to see the return of their annual Brass Band Summer School between the 8th to the 13th of August 2022 in the City of Armagh High School under the guidance of Foden's Band tutors.
The summer school provides an opportunity for young and young at heart to come together to form two bands based on players ability; The Sterling Band conducted by Mark Bousie and The Sovereign Band conducted by Michael Fowles. Attendees ranged from age of eight to seventy-two and represented many bands across the province, all of whom participated eagerly throughout the course during morning warmups, sectional, full band rehearsals as well as a questions and answer session . Participants also had the opportunity to perform a solo accompanied by the Foden’s tutors. As part of the 20th year celebrations, the Summer school were delighted to commission two works ‘Across the Stars’ by Andrew Stevenson and ‘The Stars of Armagh’ by Iain McKnight.
Speaking on behalf of the Summer School, Ivor Stevenson commented 'It was great to return to an in person Summer school once again with our end of course concert concluding an enjoyable week of hard work and enthusiasm by all. A big thank you to our wonderful team of Foden’s Tutors; Mark Wilkinson, Mark Bousie, Richard Poole, Shaun Farrington, Gary Curtin, Jonathan Bates, Stewart Baglin, Michael Fowles and Anthony Mann as well as all the 60 plus participants. We look forward to welcoming the full Foden's Band back to Armagh on the 17 th September (which replaces our annual February date which was cancelled due to Covid) as well as running the Summer school once again in August '23.
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
Widely regarded as the finest big band singer in the UK, Matthew Ford teams up with Foden's for our 'Salute to Sinatra and the Swing Legends' on Sunday 7th July in the stunning surroundings of Gawsworth Hall. 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 all the great hits of Sinatra – and plenty of Swing’s finest moments! Gawsworth Hall, Macclesfield, SK11 9RN Sunday 7th July 6pm Tickets £20 via info@fodensband.co.uk or 07740354106
Following our return from Easter Holidays we enjoyed a weekend in Southern Ireland with concerts in Dublin and Kilkenny. Both concerts featured a reprise of our award-winning programme from Brass in Concert 'Prince Ali - From Rags to Riches' as well as the British Open Test Piece 'Sand and Stars.' The hospitality shown and audience reaction was fantastic!!! Last weekend we were back in the heart of our hometown to entertain the huge crowds at Sandbach's annual Transport Festival as well as leading the parade. A baking hot afternoon performing arrangements from The Beatles, Elton John, Bryan Adams, The Carpenters and The Killers - nothing like variety!!!!
We are looking forward to travelling to Southern Ireland on the 13/14 April for a brace of concerts in Kilkenny and Dublin! All proceeds from the concerts will go to support the fantastic work of the Crumlin Childrens' Hospital and you can purchase tickets for both concerts at www.gr8events.ie
On the 16 th June Foden's will open the brand new Elgar International Festival of Brass at the Routh Hall in Bromsgrove with a stellar programme featuring music by the band's President Paul Mealor, a chance to hear Thierry Deleruyelle's magnificent 'Sand and Stars' - which was the set work when the band became the 'British Open Champions' in September 2023, as well as a rarely heard 'Concerto for Tenor Horn and Brass Band' by Derek Bourgeois! The festival also features The Cory Band and Brighouse and Rastrick, 3 world class bands for the price of 1! Further info via eifob.org.uk
On the 16/17 th March, Foden's made a welcome return to the recording studio teaming up with the Malcolm Arnold Society to bring to life an entire album of his works - combining Brass Band classics such as 'Fantasy for Brass Band' and his 'Little Suites' with premiere recordings of a concert suite from 'Sweeney Todd' and his 'Overseas March (1959)'. Next month, the band will be join the wonderful Chetham's School of Music Choir in Stoller Hall, Manchester to record his epic 'Song of Freedom'. The 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-inc-uk-postage-and-packing?fbclid=IwAR3U4pkngaqWSESM_IybjXtykP4AFdrEPBrOgBNZhL4-oiEhRkQ9MgLEOF0
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
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.
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
