Foden's congratulate their President Prof Paul Mealor on a 'Double New Year Honour'
Mark Wilkinson • December 29, 2023
Foden's have sent congratulations to their President Paul Mealor on a 'Double New Year Honour' which has seen him appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victoria Order (LVO) for his services to royal music. The LVO is a personal gift given by the King to people who have served him in a personal way, Paul is this first composer since Sir Arthur Bliss in 1969 to be recognised in this manner. On top of this, Prof Mealor has also been presented with a Coronation medal for his contributions to the service at Westminster Abbey
Speaking about the award Paul commented 'I am still on cloud Nine and thrilled beyond words to be made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victoria Order, it is incredibly special because it was a personal gift of His Majesty. I am also delighted to have been awarded The Coronation Medal for my contributions to the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.'
Paul is also the Artistic Director of the North Wales International Music Festival and this year welcomes, amongst others, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the King Singers and Foden's to St Asaph Cathedral in September
After a very busy and successful start to the year Foden's are now enjoying their summer break! A number of members will be involved on various summer schools over the coming weeks, including the fantastic Armagh Old Boys Brass Band Summer School in August Preparations have already begun for the band's appearance at the British Open and National Finals but before then they are looking forward to returning to the concert stage. 23rd August – Marine Hall , Fleetwood - https://marinehall.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows 29th August – St John’s Church, Buxton - https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens Have a fantastic summer, and we’ll see you soon!
Tickets are now on sale for Foden's concert in the beautiful St John's Church on the 29 th August Foden's programme will feature their World-class soloists, a varied selection of music to suit all tastes as well as their award-winning entertainment set, ‘Exodus – Moses in Egypt’ Tickets available via www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens
Tickets are now on sale for the band's return concert at the Marine Hall, Fleetwood on the 23rd August Foden's look forward to sharing the stage with their good friends at the Freckleton Band Saturday 23rd August 2pm marinehall.co.uk 01253 887693
On Saturday 4 th July Foden's had the pleasure of closing the 'St Mary's Arts Festival' for the second year running in Stafford The band had a fantastic evening performing in a superb venue with great acoustics as well as a very supportive and appreciative large audience. All at Foden's would like to thank Sue Savage and her team for organising another superb festival!
On Sunday 28th June, Foden's were delighted to host a fantastic concert featuring their talented Youth Band alongside the wonderful Oslofjord Brass from Norway, under the baton of former Foden’s cornet player, David Morton. Each band performed their own individual programme before coming together for a spectacular massed finale which included 'Procession to the Minster' Foden's would like to thank everyone who performed, supported, and attended the sell out event
On Friday 19th June Foden's Band were thrilled to organise a large Community event in the iconic Victoria Hall, Hanley Seven bands were involved, each performing an individual set before joining forces for Slaidburn and The Floral Dance (50 years since initially recorded!) as massed items Over 160 musicians participated and they literally raised the roof!!! Audley Brass Rode Hall Silver Band Trentham Brass Band Mereside Brass Penkhull Village Brass Foden's Community Band The event would not have happened without the support from Entrust Music Service Staffordshire and event sponsor 'Joseph Lymer & Son and Horne Brothers Independent Family Funeral Directors
Foden's are delighted to work with their partner Entrust Music Service Staffordshire to present 'Brass In Harmony' On the 19th June Foden's will appear in the magnificent 'Victoria Hall, Hanley' alongside Audley Brass Rode H a ll Silver Band Trentham Brass Band Mereside Brass Penkhull Village Brass Foden's Community Band Foden's will perform their award winning entertainment set 'Exodus - Moses in Egypt' with each band then performing a short concert. The concert will conclude with a number of massed items!!! Thank you to event sponsor 'Joseph Lymer & Son and Horne Brothers Independent Family Funeral Directors Tickets available via https://www. priorbooking .com/u/fodens
Following Grace Jeffers’ exciting move to Solo Horn, Foden's are delighted to announce the appointment of Eloisa Donovan on 1st Horn. Eloisa brings a wealth of experience to the band, having previously played with Granite City Band before moving to the RNCM to study with Owen Farr. Following a successful spell with Wingates, she moved to Carlton Main Frickley, progressing from 2nd Horn to Solo Horn. She represented Frickley at this year's Yorkshire Area and the French Open Championships — which Frickley won! Eloisa is continuing her musical journey by starting her Masters degree at the RNCM this September Welcoming Rimika Umetsu on Percussion Joining the Foden's percussion section all the way from Hokkaido, Japan is the amazing Rimika Umetsu. Rimika started playing percussion in elementary school before formally studying percussion at University. Following her graduation, Rimika performed with a number of Professional Orchestras prior to moving to Manchester in April. All at Foden's offer a warm welcome to Eloisa and Rimika!
Foden's are delighted to announce that Grace Jeffers has become the band's new Solo Horn player Grace originally joined Foden’s on 1st Horn in 2019 from the Pemberton Band. She spent 13 incredible years with the Pemberton organisation, holding the Solo Horn position across all three of its bands. Her time there included winning the 1st section Area and 1st section Nationals. During this time, Grace was also appointed as Solo Horn with 'The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.' Since joining Foden’s, she has covered the Solo Horn position on numerous occasions across concerts, CD recordings, the North West Area Contest as well as being a featured soloist. It has already been a fantastic year for Grace, She was delighted to perform as Solo Horn in the New Zealand Brass Band National Championships and recently became an official K&G Mouthpiece artist. Away from banding, Grace works as a counsellor and psychotherapist, supporting both adults and young people.
From the first Whit Friday Marches in 1884, the event has grown in popularity. On Friday 29th May over 160 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 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 11 venues in Tameside starting at 4pm. Following the announcement of the results Foden's were crowned the 'Tameside Whit Friday Champions' for the 23rd time in 24 years. In Tameside Foden's were placed 1st at 6 venues as well as receiving two second places and a third
