Armagh Old Boys Summer School celebrates 20th Anniversary with help from Foden's tutors
Mark Wilkinson • August 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.
Preparations are well under way for Foden's as they look to represent England at the European Championships in May courtesy of their British Open victory in 2023. Speaking ahead of the contest Mark Wilkinson commented 'We are once again looking forward to representing England and are enjoying rehearsing our own choice test piece as well as the set work 'Transitions in Energy' by Fredrick Schjelderu. This work is very demanding both musically and technically and will pose a stern test for all! We are grateful to Darren Lea (band member) who has been busy preparing our itinerary and logistics which has included cancelled flights and having to re book from an alternative airport! Ahead of the contest we will be holding an open rehearsal in Sandbach on the 6 th May and will publish details nearer the time.' Mark continued 'Members have been extremely busy fundraising to cover the huge costs needed. The band will be making a large contribution helped by player payments. We are extremely grateful to those who have made various donations to help and have set up a go fund page to cover the additional costs needed due to the cancelled and re arranged flights! Any donations would be gratefully appreciated https://gofund.me/908e0b3d
On Friday 20 th June Foden's will perform at the Victoria Hall, Hanley alongside its very own Youth Band and six community choirs in 'A Night of Musical Harmony! The concert, supported by the 'Entrust Music Service Staffordshire' will see Foden's, Foden's Youth and the combined choirs each perform individual items before joining forces for a massed finale. Speaking on behalf of the Entrust Music Services, Paul Hughes commented 'This concert represents a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the vibrant musical landscape within Staffordshire, bringing together world-class brass banding with the passionate voices of our local community choirs for an unforgettable collaborative performance.' The community choirs consist of Alsager Community Choir, Dougie Mac Choir, Endon Community Choir, Fulford Community Choir, Ovation - The Staffordshire County Council Workplace Choir and Stafford Military Wives Choir Program and will be conducted by Dan Hollingshurst, a vocal coach and teacher working for Entrust Music Service Staffordshire and City Music Service (Stoke-on-Trent) Foden's Band are grateful to Joseph Lymer & Son and Horne Brothers, Independent Family Funeral Directors for sponsoring the event Tickets from £6 via https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens
Foden's return to Gawsworth Hall to perform 'Salute to the Kings of Cool' alongside Matt Ford. Matt is regarded as one of the finest big band singers in the UK who regularly performs with the BBC, RTE, Ulster and Norther Sinfonia Orchestras and has appeared at the BBC Proms with the John Wilson and Syd Lawrence Orchestra's The show takes place in the fantastic grounds of this stately home on a large festival stage in front of the hall Bring a picnic and chair for the ultimate swing and big band experience!!! Tickets - £20 via info@fodensband.co.uk
Foden's are extremely grateful to Mayor Ann Nevitt who nominated Foden's as her Mayor's charity in 2024/2025. Ann has arranged a number of events to raise monies for the band to help fund their trip to appear at the European Championships in Norway this year One of these events was a 'Grand Draw' drawn on the 30th March by Ann and Mark Wilkinson with the main prize being £500 donated by 'Poole's towing and recovery' Winning tickets as per the below (all winners have been contacted) 1st Prize 2844 2nd Prize 0025 3rd Prize 0073 4th Prize 1278 5th Prize 1459 6th Prize 2479 7th Prize 2534 8th Prize 1569 9th Prize 1479 10th Prize 1614 11th Prize 0758 12th Prize 1649 13th Prize 0032 14th Prize 1553 15th Prize 1566 Foden's would like to thank Ann, those who purchased tickets as well as the various companies who offered prizes to support the fundraising (photo courtesy of Stewart Green)
In recent years, Foden's have enjoyed a fantastic working relationship with Sandbach School and once again this year, we'll be performing a concert on the 3 rd April, during which we will accompany a number of the Year 13 students in solo items! The concert will begin at 6:30pm with ensembles from the school - including their Concert Orchestra, Big Bands and Choir before we take to the stage in the 2nd half! Sandbach School Theatre Thursday 3rd April 2025 6:30pm www.priorbooking.com/e/sandbach-school-spring-concert-with-fodens-band
Next month, Foden's will head down to Berkshire to appear at the 2025 Newbury Spring Festival with a varied programme ranging from our 2024 Brass in Concert programme paying tribute to Mohammad Ali, through to extended works such as Dvorak's 'Carnival Overture' and Gregson's 'Variations on Laudate Dominum'! Corn Exchange, Newbury Sunday 18th May, 2025 3pm www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk/event/fodens-band/
Foden's are delighted to announce that their performance at January's RNCM International Brass Band Festival is set to be featured on BBC Radio 3' flagship 'In Concert' programme on Monday 24th March (7.30pm). Hosted by Tom Redmond, it will feature the UK premiere of Edward Gregson's new tenor horn concerto 'Three Gods' featuring Belgian virtuoso Tim de Maeseneer. Led by Michael Fowles, the programme will also include the classic test-pieces, 'Fireworks' by Elgar Howarth plus John McCabe's epic 'Cloudcatcher Fells', as well as 'Elektrodesign' by Elisabeth Vannebo, 'A Leadsman, a Lady and a Lord' by David Stanhope, and 'Fantasia on a Theme of Purcell' by band President Paul Mealor Further information can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00291fp
Over the last year, we've been honoured to be supported so kindly by the Mayor of Sandbach Ann Nevitt, and as part of her support to aid our upcoming trip to represent England at the 2025 European Championships in Stavanger, we'll be performing a concert in Sandbach Town Hall to help our fundraising efforts.
After an amazing concert opening the inaugural Elgar International Festival of Brass in 2024, Foden's are delighted to be returning once more to the event on Sunday 8th June at Malvern Theatres - with a programme celebrating the music of Edward Gregson, featuring his 'Essay for Brass Band' and festival march 'Chalk Farm No.2', whilst Gary Curtin and Mark Landon will be featured in a spectacular Concerto Grosso by Etienne Crausaz! The concert will also feature contributions from Black Dyke and The Cory Band Festival Theatre, Malvern Sunday 8th June 4:30pm http://malvern-theatres.co.uk/event/elgar-international-festival-of-brass/
We are delighted to announce that we'll be making our 2nd visit to Burton-upon-Trent in June this year! Burton Town Hall Sunday 1st June, 2025 2pm www.burtontownhall.co.uk/#whats-on
