Foden's are the British Open Champions
Mark Wilkinson • September 11, 2023
On Saturday 9th September, Foden's travelled to the Symphony Hall, Birmingham to compete at the 169th British Open Championships. The 'Open' is regarded as one of the leading Brass Band Contests in the World which attracts an extremely strong line up of bands including an overseas guest.
This year, 18 bands all performed the set work 'Sand and Stars' by Thierry Deleruyelle. This exceptionally difficult work placed demanding challenges on all band members lasting 20 minutes. Despite these challenges, the work proved a popular choice amongst those competing and the 1500 plus audience.
Following the announcement of the results Foden's were crowned the British Open Champions (our first at this Contest since 2012) and now receive an invitation to represent England at the European Championships in Norway 2025.
Foden's are also the Double National Champions, a title won at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 2018, 2021,2022. In October the band will be hoping for an historic Hattrick!
Test Piece: 'Sand and Stars' (Thierry Deleruyelle)
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs, Dr Stephen Cobb, Stephen Roberts
1. Foden's (Russell Gray)
2. Valaisia Brass (Arsene Duc)
3. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
4. Grimethorpe Colliery (Michael Bach)
5. Black Dyke (Prof Nicholas J. Childs)
6. Cory (Philip Harper)
7. Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof David King)
8. Flowers (Paul Holland)
9. Hammonds (Morgan Griffiths)
10. WFEL Fairey (Philip Chalk)
11. Whitburn (Luc Vertommen)
12. Aldbourne (Ivan Meylemans)
13. Desford Colliery (Allan Withington)
14. the cooperation band (David Morton)
15. Hepworth (Ryan Watkins)
16. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
17. Leyland (Thomas Wyss)
18. Northop Silver (Gareth Brindle)
Stanley Wainwright Memorial Trophy: Gary Curtin (Foden's)
Brian Evans Memorial Trophy for Best Soprano: Richard Poole (Foden's)
The Geoffrey Whitham Memorial Trophy for Best Euphonium: Glenn van Looy (Valaisia)
Last weekend saw Foden's make a welcome return to Burton Town Hall, where they were delighted to mark a very special milestone. During the concert, a presentation was made to their outstanding and every-loyal Solo Trombone, John Barber, in recognition of his remarkable 30 years of dedicated service to Foden's!
All at Foden's are delighted that Howard Snell has accepted their offer to become an 'Honorary Vice President' of the band. Howard needs no introduction to the world of brass bands — or indeed to the wider musical community. His distinguished career as a conductor, performer and educator has left an indelible mark on the brass band movement, both nationally and internationally. He is, of course, a very special figure in the history of Foden’s Band. His leadership and musical influence during his time with the Band contributed significantly to their artistic development and success, and his continued association with Foden’s is something held in the highest regard.
Following last years success, Foden's are delighted to have been re booked by the 'Wychavon Festival of Brass' to lead another event on the 23rd May. Led by Principal players under the direction of Michael Fowles, the session is available to brass and percussionists aged 10-18 who are around grade 5 standard (or above) 23rd May 2026 10am - 2pm FREE!!!!
Following the band's appearance at the RNCM International Brass Band Festival in January, Foden's are delighted that BBC Radio 3 will once again broadcast highlights of the concert on their 'Classical Live' show. MONDAY 16TH FEBRUARY Programme will include Philip Littlemore revised version of Edmund Rubbra's 'Variations on the Shining River'. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002r45m TUESDAY 17TH FEBRUARY Programme with feature Paul Hindmarsh's arrangement of Benjamin Britten's 'Prelude & Courtly Dances' https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002r484 WEDNESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY Piece tba! https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002r4f4
On the 3rd May Foden's look forward to travelling to Norwich as guests of the 'East Anglian Brass Band Association.' .Prior to the concert, Bass Trombonist Shaun Farrington will lead a Trombone workshop. CONCERT DATE - Sunday 3rd May - 3.30pm VENUE - The Citadel, 34-36 St Giles St, Norwich TICKETS - administration@eabba.org.uk OR https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/east- anglian-brass-band ... WORKSHOP DATE - Sunday 3rd May - 10.30am - 12pm VENUE - St Faiths Centre, Manor Rd, Horsham St Faith ENROLMENT - administration@eabba.org.uk
Foden's opening concert of the 2026 'RNCM International Brass Band Festival' is now available to watch via wobplay.com Conducted by Michael Fowles, their programme opened with 'A Fanfare of Bells' by Herman Pallhuber, followed by Claire Cope's world premiere of 'The Green Chapel' before joining forces with the fantastic Bones Apart Trombone Quartet. To end the first half they gave the English premier of 'Tranquil Abiding' from the pen of President Paul Mealor. The Second half included Britten's 'Prelude and Courtley Dances' from 'Gloriana' arranged by Paul Hindmarsh, Philip Littlemore's re-scored version of Edmund Rubbra's 'Variations on the Shining River' before closing with Philip Sparke's 'Partita.' The concert was also recorded by BBC Radio 3, broadcast dates will be advertised when known.
The 'RNCM International Brass Band Festival' saw a presentation to long serving member Andy Rolfe who leaves Foden's after 19 years service. During this time Andy has been an active part of the band's management team and takes up a role as Trustee. Due to Andy leaving on 3rd cornet there has been some movement on the back row with the experienced Adrian Lacey joining on 2nd cornet. Adrian was a long serving member of the Staffordshire Building Society Band where he played Principal Cornet for 10 years followed by a spell at Grimethorpe on Solo Cornet. Following the departure of 'bumper up' Paul McDonald in December, the RNCM concert also saw Jon Probert move up to this position from solo cornet with Darcie Dewhurst joining on the front row. Darcie joins from Blackburn and Darwen where she was Principal Cornet as well as being solo cornet with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain , Principal Cornet with Lancashire Youth Band and studying at the RNCM under the guidance of Roger Webster. Speaking about the changes Mark Wilkinson commented 'We would like to thank Andy for his impeccable service and commitment during the past 19 years and wish him well in his retirement from full time banding and work. We are delighted to announce the signing of Adrian who also brings further experience to the section. I have been an admirer of Darcie's playing for a number of years and thrilled she has accepted our invitation to join.'
On Friday 23rd January Foden's once again opened the prestigious '2026 International Brass Band Festival' at the Royal Northern College of Music. The RNCM International Brass Band Festival remains a premier stage for the world’s leading brass band musicians, celebrating the finest repertoire crafted for the genre. Under the artistic direction of Dr David Thornton, the festival once again embraced both innovative new compositions and celebrated legacy works, a commitment that resonated throughout this year’s programme. A highlight of the 2026 festival was the celebration of Philip Sparke's 75th birthday, an award-winning English composer who has made a profound impact on the wind and brass repertoire. The Festival also welcomed the Concord Brass Band from Denmark, as well as Foden's , Black Dyke, Tredegar, Brighouse and Rastrick, Cory, RNCM Band, RNCM Junior School Band and Yorkshire Youth Band Foden's Programme Hermann Pallhuber A Fanfare of Bells Claire Cope The Green Chapel* (IBBF commission and world premiere) Paul Mealor Tranquil Abiding Benjamin Britten arr Paul Hindmarsh Prelude and Courtly Dances from Gloriana Edmund Rubbra Variations on the Shining River (world premiere of a newly re-scored version by Phillip Littlemore) Philip Sparke Partita Performers Michael Fowles conductor Bones Apart Trombone Quartet* Foden’s Band 4Barsrest concert review - https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con889.asp
Tickets are now on sale for the bands return visit to the Festival Drayton Centre in Market Drayton The concert commences at 2pm with tickets available via www.festivaldraytoncentre.com or 01630 654444
Foden’s Band has entered into a new partnership with Adams Percussion, world’s leading manufacturer of professional percussion instruments. As part of the partnership, Foden’s Band will perform on a full Adams percussion setup, supporting the band’s continued focus on musical quality, consistency and reliability at the highest level. Adams Percussion instruments are widely used by professional orchestras, ensembles and soloists worldwide. The partnership brings together two organisations with long-standing reputations in their respective fields. Foden’s Band is one of the most successful and historically significant brass bands in the world, while Adams Percussion has built a strong international reputation for its timpani, keyboard percussion and concert percussion instruments. Ruud Corstjens of Adams Percussion said: “We are very pleased to begin this partnership with Foden’s Band. Foden’s is an iconic name within the British brass band tradition, with an exceptional competitive and musical history. The band has a superb percussion section, and we are proud that our instruments will support their work in rehearsals and performance. We were introduced to the band through our euphonium artist Gary Curtin, and I would like to thank him for his role in helping to bring this partnership together.” On behalf of Foden's Mark Landon commented 'We are delighted to enter into a partnership with Adams Percussion who are widely regarded as the World's leading Percussion provider. The partnership will see Foden's use the entire range of Adams Percussion instruments across our rehearsals, concerts and recordings, with a shared focus on musical excellence and long-term collaboration.'
