In 2018 Foden's were crowned the 'National Champions of Great Britain' at the Royal Albert Hall with part of this prize being an invitation to represent England at the European Brass Band Championships to be held in Palanga, Lithuania. Sadly, due to Covid, the contest was cancelled and the band received an invitation to the rearranged event to be held in Birmingham last weekend.

The contest featured 11 Champion bands of their respective Countries who competed over two days. On Day 1, each band played the same set work and on Day 2 a work of their own choice. The points over the two days were then added together to provide the total positions.

Since our return from Easter holidays, we have rehearsed for 10 consecutive nights to prepare for this prestigious contest. The preparations also included a concert with the European Youth Band in Macclesfield which consists of talented players from all members of the European Brass Band Association under the leadership of Florent Didier.  The concert gave us an opportunity to perform both test pieces ahead of the contest.

Upon the conclusion of the contest, Foden's were announced in 3 ^rd  place overall with only 2 points separating the top 3 bands. Despite not winning, we had a fantastic time competing against the very best in Europe. 

The band are extremely proud of our achievement and look forward to our next contest in September which will see us competing ranked Number 2 in the World rankings. 

Congratulations to all at Cory on being crowned the European Champions

Adjudicators:
Set Work: Prof Garry Cutt, Katrina Marzella-Wheeler, Erik Janssen
Own Choice: Arvid Anthun, Christophe Jeanbourquin, Jan de Haan

Test Piece: Saints Triumphant (Prof Philip Wilby)
(Draw): Set Work/Own Choice = Total

1. Cory (Philip Harper): 98/94 = 192
No Man's Land (Thierry Deleruyelle)

2. Valaisia Brass Band (Arsene Duc): 93/98 = 191
A Gabrieli Fantasy (Bert Appermont)

3. Foden's Band (Russell Gray): 94/96 = 190
Eden (John Pickard)

4. Tredegar Band (Ian Porthouse): 96/92 = 188*
So Spoke Albion... (Gavin Higgins) 

5. Stavanger Brass Band (Allan Withington): 95/93 = 188
The Turing Test (Simon Dobson)

6. Hauts-de-France Brass Band (Luc Vertommen): 91/97 = 188
Sinfonietta no.2 — Four Impressions (Pierre-Antoine Savoyat)

7. Brass Band Schoonhoven (Paul Holland): 90/95 = 185
Fraternity (Thierry Deleruyelle)

8. 3BA Concert Band (Corsin Tuor): 92/88 = 180
Other Lives (Oliver Waespi)

9. the cooperation band (Michael Fowles): 89/89 = 178
Journey of the Lonely Wolf (Simon Dobson)

10. Göta Brass Band (Michael Thomson): 87/90 = 177
From Ancient Times (Jan Van der Roost)

11. Brass Band Oberosterreich (Gunther Reisegger): 88/87 = 175
Dynasty (Peter Graham)

Best Soloist: Will Norman (flugel) — Tredegar Brass Band

*Set Work placing takes precedence in event of a tie