Earlier this year Foden's were busy in the recording studio working on a number of exciting new CD projects. On Saturday, 'Sounds’ featuring the music of John Golland, will be officially released at the National Brass Band Championships at the Royal Albert Hall Foden's would like to thank Paul Hindmarsh for arranging the recording sessions and for providing such a fascinating insight into the music of John Golland and for World Of Brass for recording the project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVP-dXFb1v8 The soloist for the CD was the incredible Ross Knight, who delivers a fantastic performance of Golland’s Tuba Concerto.

In October, Foden's will travel to Sweden for a number of concerts, workshops and masterclasses under the baton of Russell Gray  Saturday 17 October at 18:00 - Haninge Kulturhus in Handen Foden's will share the stage with Södertörns Brass ahead of their Swedish National appearance. Tickets via https://www.tickster.com/se/sv/events/zgldnfwpzn6yvz Sunday 18 October at 13:00 - Immanuelskyrkan in Stockholm Local youth brass students will spend the morning working with Principal players from Foden's as well as sharing the stage with the full band. Foden's will also reprise 'Music of the Spheres' from the British Open as well as an entertaining programme! Tickets via https://www.tickster.com/se/sv/events/xpd09539l3rlp9u If you are a brass player (or educator) you can register for a place on the Sunday workshops via - https://stockholm.rum.se/2026/brass-dag-pa-kmh-18-oktober/

On Friday 2 nd October Foden's travel to London to perform at the Regent Hall Salvation Army ahead of their appearance at the National finals the following day As well as giving a sneak preview of this years set work, the band also look forward to reprising their award winning 'Exodus: Moses in Egypt' SET performed at last year's Brass In Concert Contest  Imperial Echoes - Safroni The Candle of the Lord – Graham (Soloist Mark Wilkinson) The Piper O’ Dundee – Downie (Soloist Grace Jeffers) Air from The Suite in D – Bach arr Snell Czardas – Strauss arr Snell A Road Less Travelled By - Sparke INTERVAL Soaring the Heights – Bond En Aranjuez con tu Amore – Rodrigo arr Bolton (Soloist Mike Eccles) Exodus : Moses in Egypt The River’s Lament – Bates Khamsawy – Egyptian Trad. Arr Bates The Wrath of the Plagues – Bates (Soloist Gary Curtin) The Parting of the Sea – Bates A Land of Promise – Bates When You Believe – Zimmer arr Bates TICKETS VIA - https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens

On Sunday 20th September our fantastic Youth Band kicked off their 15th season, they were delighted to welcome new and returning players for the start of another year. The band worked with Michael Fowles and Foden's tutors on their major work for this season – Lucerne Dances by Philip Sparke. Further info on joining the band via our Foden's youth band page

Following the success of last year’s initiative, Foden's are delighted to once again host their Area Workshops, covering Sections 4–1 across every instrument. These intensive sessions are a fantastic opportunity to prepare, develop and refine your playing ahead of the Area Championships. Euphoniums & Baritones — Gary Curtin - 15th November Cornets & Soprano — Mark Wilkinson - 22th November Horns & Flugels — Mike Eccles - 29th November Percussion — Sam Iles - 5th December Conductors — Michael Fowles - 6th December Trombones — Shaun Farrington - 9th January Basses — Andy Cattanach - 16th January  All workshops will take place in Sandbach, with the Conductors’ session being held via Zoom. Further details and booking information via marklwilky@hotmail.com

On Saturday 12th September, Foden's travelled to the Symphony Hall, Birmingham to compete at the 172nd 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 some overseas guests. This year, 19 bands all performed the set work 'Music of the Spheres' by Philip Sparke. This exceptionally difficult work placed demanding challenges on all band members lasting 18 minutes. Despite these challenges, the work proved a popular choice amongst those competing and the 2000 plus audience. Following the announcement of the results Foden's were crowned the British Open Champions (and now receive an invitation to represent England at the European Championships in Birmingham in 2028) as well as receiving individual awards for the best Soprano and Cornet. Test Piece: Music of the Spheres (Philip Sparke) Adjudicators: Martyn Brabbins, Arsené Duc, David Hirst 1. Foden's (Russell Gray)* 2. Brass Band Willebroek (Frans Violet) 3. Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof. David King) 4. Sydney City Brass (Jason Katsikaris) 5. Leyland (Daniel Brooks) 6. Hepworth (Ryan Watkins) 7. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse) 8. Aldbourne (Glyn Williams) 9. Black Dyke (Prof. Nicholas Childs) 10. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Glenn Van Looy) 11. Milnrow (Christopher Binns) 12. Flowers (Paul Holland) 13. Cory (Philip Harper) 14. KNDS Fairey (Philip Chalk) 15. Hammonds (Morgan Griffiths) 16. the cooperation band (Katrina Marzella-Wheeler) 17. Grimethorpe Colliery (Allan Withington) 18. Amersham (Paul Fisher)** 19. EverReady (David Morton)**  *Invitation to represent England at the 2028 European Championship. ** Relegated to 2027 Grand Shield Stanley Wainwright Memorial Trophy: Andy Moore (horn) — Brighouse & Rastrick Brian Evans Memorial Trophy for Best Soprano: Richard Poole (Foden's) The Geoffrey Whitham Memorial Trophy for Best Euphonium: Kevin van Giel (Brass Band Willebroek) Phillip McCann Trophy for Best Cornet: Mark Wilkinson (Foden's)

Ahead of the British Open Contest, Foden's are looking forward to welcoming you to an Open Rehearsal featuring this year’s test piece, Music of the Spheres, from the pen of Philip Sparke. (Please note the rehearsal is NOT at Sandbach Boys School where the band usually hold rehearsals / concerts) Thursday 10th September 7.30pm Sandbach High School, Middlewich Rd, Sandbach, CW11 3NT Free entrance Come along and hear the band put the finishing touches to our performance ahead of the British Open!

Back in May, the band returned to the recording studio for two exciting projects, both set to be released later this year! Michael Fowles recently visited 'World of Brass' to put the final editing touches in place, bringing these projects one step closer to release. More information will be revealed shortly… watch this space!

Foden's would like to thank everyone who came and supported their concert on Saturday in the fantastic St John’s Church, Buxton. A large and incredibly receptive audience made for a brilliant evening of music and a great atmosphere. The band also enjoyed performing to a large number of players from local bands across the area. The audience enjoyed a varied programme including a sneak preview of 'Music of the Spheres' which is the forthcoming test piece selection at the Brition Open Contest in a couple of weeks