0

Foden's are the 'Tameside Whit' Champions

Mark Wilkinson • Jun 13, 2022

From the first Whit Friday Marches in 1884, the event has grown in popularity.

On Friday 10 th  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 etc. 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 9 venues in Tameside starting at 4pm and finished at 11.45pm, as well as competing in 2 venues in the Saddleworth Area. Following the announcement of the results Foden's were crowned the 'Tameside Whit Friday Champions' for the 19 th  time in 20 years.

In Tameside Foden's were placed 1st at 4 venues, 2 nd  at 4 venues as well as a 3rd. In Saddleworth we were placed 1 st  and 3 rd  

By Mark Wilkinson 26 Mar, 2024
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
By Mark Wilkinson 19 Mar, 2024
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 
By Mark Wilkinson 06 Mar, 2024
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
By Mark Wilkinson 06 Mar, 2024
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.
By Mark Wilkinson 26 Feb, 2024
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
By Mark Wilkinson 22 Feb, 2024
On the 20 th February we had the pleasure of giving a special concert in Sandbach to celebrate our wonderful patron's association, which currently boasts well over 400 members worldwide! The programme featured a sneak-preview of Philip Sparke's 'Variations on an Enigma' ahead of our North West Regional Brass Band Contest appearance later that week as well as solos from Principal Horn Jonathan Bates, Principal Euphonium Gary Curtin and Flugel Horn Melanie Whyle, plus our 'Prince Ali: From Rags to Riches' set! PATRONS ASSOCATION Our Patrons Association was formed in 1987 to allow people to support the band and live music making in the UK. The band relies on the support of it's patrons to continue providing high quality performances across the UK and beyond. For more information and how to join, please click the link below! www.fodensband.co.uk/patrons Photos courtesy of Stewart Green
By Mark Wilkinson 20 Feb, 2024
On the 17 th February we had the pleasure of performing the Gala Concert at Warwick University upon the completion of the 'Uni Brass' contest. The contest attracted 30 bands from across the Country consisting of 820 participants. The contest was split into two sections with our very own John Barber and Mark Landon adjudicating one of the sections and Mark Wilkinson leading a masterclass to brass players during the course of the day. The bands 'guest soloist' for the concert was the fantastic James Fountain, Principal Trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra. The Uni Brass committee ran a very successful composer contest, the winning entry was entitled ‘Calling’ by Naomi Hill (who also won our inaugural Female Composer Competition last year!). Foden's performed this work in the concert Congratulations and thanks to all the organisers for once again running one of the most important events in the banding calendar - keeping the music playing for university students across the UK!
By Mark Wilkinson 13 Feb, 2024
On the 2 nd February Foden's returned to Armagh for a weekend of musical activities. As well as a concert in the First Presbyterian Church, which saw Foden's perform their award winning 'Prince Ali - From Rags to Riches' set, the band worked with a large number of young performers in a master class situation. Young soloists were given the opportunity to perform a solo, accompanied by the band, with the relevant Foden's principal player giving constructive spoken feedback as well as addressing the large audience consisting of parents, teachers and supporters. The session was concluded with a number of massed items, where the soloists, teachers and supporters joined ranks with Foden's. Plans are in place for the bands 24 th visit next year! 
By Mark Wilkinson 30 Jan, 2024
Widely regarded as the finest big band singer in the UK, Matthew Ford returns to The Grange Theatre with the British Open champions and world's number one ranked band Foden’s, for their Salute to Sinatra and the Swing Legends evening. 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 the great hits of Sinatra and plenty of Swing’s finest moments – including That’s Life, Sway, Luck be a Lady, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Do Nothing ‘till You Hear from Me and many more’. Tickets Fodens Band - Matthew Ford | The Grange Theat e
By Mark Wilkinson 29 Jan, 2024
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
More Posts
Share by: