Foden's are the Entertainment Champions!!!
Mark Wilkinson • November 20, 2023
On Saturday Foden's travelled to Gateshead to appear at the 'Brass in Concert Entertainment' contest held at the 'Glass House' (formerly the Sage).
The contest organisers invited nine of the best bands from the UK as well as the Norwegian Champions and a leading band from America to compete at what is recognised as the UK's leading Entertainment contest. Each band performed an 'entertaining' 25-minute programme to a capacity audience in excess of 1500 people as well as over 2000 on line viewers. Foden's performed a show entitled 'Prince Ali - From Rags to Riches' written especially for this contest by their Solo Horn player Jonny Bates. Following a excellent audience reaction the band were crowned the 2023 Champions, the first time they have won this particular contest since 2009
As well as winning overall, Foden's were the recipients of a number of individual awards as well as winning the 'Performance' element and the 'Entertainment' award. Online voters (and those in the hall) also voted for the 'Audience' prize, which the band also won!!!
This result now cements Foden's position as the World's Number 1 Band until at least September '24!
Full results
- Foden's (Michael Fowles): 57/57/34/20/18 = 186
- Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag (Reid Gilje): 54/54/40/17/19 = 184
- Flowers (Paul Holland): 45/60/38/18/17 = 178
- Brighouse & Rastrick (Garry Cutt): 51/51 /36/19/16 = 173
- Fountain City (Joe Parisi): 60/42/26/16/14 = 158
- Tredegar (Ian Porthouse): 48/45/30/15/12 = 150
- Grimethorpe Colliery (Steve Phillips): 39/48/28/11/10 = 131*
- Aldbourne (Glyn Williams): 42/36/22/12/13 = 125
- Carlton Main Frickley (Allan Withington): 30/39/32/10/11 = 122
- Friary Brass (Nigel Taken): 33/30/24/14/20 = 121
- Hammonds (Morgan Griffiths): 36/33/20/13/15 = 117
*5 point time penalty
- Quality of Performance Award: Foden's
- Entertainment & Presentation Award: Foden's
- Programme Content Award: Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag
- Audience Entertainment Award: Foden's
- Best New Composition /Arrangement: Time for Tea (Lucy Pankhurst)
- Best Soloist: Emily Evans (horn) — Flowers
- Best Soprano: Richard Poole (Foden's)
- Best Principal Cornet: Dewi Griffiths (Tredegar)
- Best Flugel Horn: Gyda Matland (Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag)
- Best Tenor Horn: Hilde Oian (Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag)
- Best Baritone: Erland Oian (Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag)
- Best Euphonium: Gary Curtin (Foden's)
- Best Trombone: Ryan Richards (Tredegar)
- Best Bass Section: Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag
- Best Percussion Section: Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag
- Youngest Player: Jake Bartlett (aged 16) — Aldbourne
Join Foden’s Band and special guest Matthew Ford for an unforgettable afternoon of music… Widely regarded as one of the UK’s finest big band vocalists, Matthew Ford returns to Congleton alongside the multi-award-winning Foden’s Band. Expect timeless classics from Frank Sinatra and the golden age of swing. With accolades including ‘Best UK Male Big Band Vocalist’ and performances with the BBC Big Band, John Wilson Orchestra and at the BBC Proms, Matthew brings world-class entertainment to the stage. Foden’s will provide the perfect backdrop for a spectacular celebration of swing music. Congleton Town Hall - Saturday 11th July - 2:00pm Tickets: £20 via: info@fodensband.co.uk Don’t miss what promises to be a fantastic afternoon of iconic swing hits performed by one of the UK’s leading brass bands and one of its finest vocalists!
On the 7th June Foden's look forward to performing in the prestigious 'Elgar International Festival of Brass' at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire The Festival will also include performances from Black Dyke, Flowers, Brassband Willebroek, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Band as well as a recital from the fantastic David Childs Foden's programme will feature John Barber (who recently celebrated his 30th year with the band!) PROGRAMME Tallis Variations - Sparke Concertino for Trombone - Larsson Soloist : John Barber Sounds - Golland Antiphonary – Lane Orbital – Blackwood Further info via https://www.eifob.org.uk/
A number of our members will once again travel to Armagh, Northern Ireland in August to lead sectionals and full rehearsals on the 'Armagh Old Boys Brass Band Summer Course' which promises to be a great week of music, fun and friendship! The course is open to brass and percussionists regardless of age For further information contact Julie-Anne Stevenson - jastevenson4@hotmail.com Location: City of Armagh High School - Alexander Rd, BT61 7JH Dates: Monday 10th - Saturday 15th August 2026 Cost: £60.00 Apply Now: https://docs.google.com/.../1SqJIe0-o-SxUu3srz6.../edit
On Sunday 22 nd March Foden's travelled to Market Drayton to perform to a sold out 'Festival Drayton Centre' programming a reprise of their 'Exodus: Moses in Egypt' set as well as music from the pens of Pallhuber, Graham, Downie, Lome Barry, Elgar and Mangione! During the concert a presentation was made to long standing percussionist Mark Landon who has decided to step away from full time banding. Mark has been a fantastic asset and servant to Foden's for the past 26 years and despite stepping away, will join their pool of percussionists providing cover when needed!
In late January Foden's returned to the recording studio to record music for a production of 'The Ladies Football Club' which is being shown at the Crucible, Sheffield between the 28th February and 28th March. This high profile production was written by Stefano Massini (The Lehman Trilogy) and adapted by Tim Firth (Calendar Girls) which shows that the final result is not always the one on the scoreboard at full time! Foden's contribution was to record excerpts from a well known championship section test piece used during the performance (visit the show to find out!!) 'The Ladies Football Club' was chosen as one of 'The Times' best shows to see in 2026 with further details via https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/the-ladies-football-club
Foden's are delighted to announce that they have entered into a partnership with 'The Little Percussion Company' TLPC was formed in 2022 by its founder, Tony Lucas who spent over 20 years at JAM Percussion, concentrating on products that are easy to obtain in the UK. Since forming a partnership with Adams Percussion, the band are delighted that TLPC have provided all cases / bags to protect these fantastic instruments! For further info about Adams and TLPC please visit https://www.tlperc.com/ https://www.adams-music.com/en/percussion
On Sunday 1st March Foden's 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. . Foden's competed against 11 other bands performing the set test piece 'Elgar Variations' by Martin Ellerby, being subsequently announced as the Champions for the tenth consecutive year also winning the prize for the best Principal Cornet Test piece: Elgar Variations (Martin Ellerby) Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs; Gavin Saynor 1. Foden's (Russell Gray)* 2. KNDS Fairey (Phil Chalk)* 3. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Thomas Wyss) 4. Freckleton (John Atkinson) 5. Leyland (Daniel Brooks) 6. Milnrow (Christopher Binns) 7. Wardle Anderson Brass (Jamie Cooper) 8. Boarshurst Silver (Martyn Evans) 9. Rainford (Adam DJ Taylor) 10. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Mike Golding) 11. Acceler8 (Jef Sparkes) Best Cornet: Mark Wilkinson (Foden's) *Qualify for National Final
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!!!!
