The East Anglian Brass Band Association held its Annual Brass Training Day on Sunday 25th October at Hellesdon High School, Norwich. The tutors from Foden’s Band were Mike Eccles (Course Leader/Back Row Cornets and Flugels), Mark Wilkinson (Front Row Cornets and Sopranos), Grace Jeffers (Tenor Horns), Gary Curtin (Euphoniums and Baritones), Kevin Lea (Trombones) and Stewart Baglin (Basses). The music studied included the march The Cossack, Fest Musik Der Stadt Wien, Rhapsody For Euphonium with Gary Curtin as soloist, War Cry, Batman The Movie and the hymn tune Ellers. Ellers had been arranged by John Jermy in memory of Brian Hastings shortly after Brian’s death in 2004. Brian had been President and Chairman of The East Anglian Brass Band Association for many years. Association Secretary Christine Wade said ‘The event was a sell out with seventy-five delegates enrolling for the course. What a privilege to accompany Gary Curtin in Rhapsody For Euphonium. It was a brilliant day. I have received several emails and messages from delegates saying what a good day it was. A huge thank you to the tutors for making the day such a success.’ The Association also wishes to thank T & R Direct Insurance Services, Norfolk County Council and The Roger David Burrows Music Fund for their support of the event.

Ticket info for Foden's event can be found at on our Calendar page .

Foden's Band look forward to performing 'The Snowman' once again! Experience Raymond Briggs’ much-loved 'The Snowman' on the big screen, brought to life with a spectacular live musical accompaniment from 'Foden's Band' - British Open Champions! As well as the 'Snowman' the band will also perform a number of Christmas favourites for all the family. (Each show last 45 minutes) Theatre, Sandbach School Saturday 12th December 11.30am and 1pm shows Tickets via https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens

This weekend, Foden's fly to Sweden for a fantastic few days of workshops, masterclasses, sectionals, concerts and, of course, plenty of fun! SATURDAY - Principal players, alongside Russell Gray, will lead sectional rehearsals with members of Södertörns Brass as they prepare for the Swedish National Championships next month. Following this, both bands will come together for a joint rehearsal before Foden’s presents a short Children’s Concert. Foden's they enjoy a shared concert with Södertörns Brass. SUNDAY - Principal players will lead masterclasses at the Royal Academy, while other members of the band work with a group of young musicians on repertoire to be performed in the afternoon concert. The trip then concludes with a full concert featuring a reprise of ‘Music of the Spheres’ (the test piece which Foden's became the British Open Champions in September) Foden's would like to thanks Mats Svensson and everyone at Södertörns Brass for making this trip possible!  Further info via https://www.sodertornsbrass.com/

Foden's are delighted to return to Bakewell on Saturday 28th November for a spectacular afternoon of swing, big band classics and festive favourites with Matt Ford. Widely regarded as the UK’s leading big band singer, Matt has performed with the BBC, Hallé, RTÉ and Ulster Orchestras, as well as appearing at the BBC Proms. Expect sensational brass and timeless classics including Sway, Mack the Knife, I Left My Heart in San Francisco and New York, New York, alongside Christmas favourites such as Let It Snow, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and Winter Wonderland. Supporting Ashgate Hospice - We’re proud that this concert, sponsored by Jepson Funerals’ Bakewell office, J W & J Mettam, will help support the wonderful work of Ashgate Hospice, providing free palliative and end-of-life care to people across North Derbyshire. Join us for an afternoon packed with swing, festive sparkle and fantastic music, all in support of a very worthy cause! Saturday 28th November S.Anselm’s School - Bakewell 2pm https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens

Tickets are now on sale for Foden's and Matt Ford's 'Memories of Christmas Show' in Congleton The concert will feature your favourite festive swing classics, from Frank Sinatra to Michael Bublé  Saturday 6th December 2:00pm Daneside Theatre, Congleton Tickets and info via emailing - info@fodensband.co.uk

On Saturday 3rd October Foden's competed at the 'National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain' held at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The contest featured the top 20 brass bands from around the UK who qualified from competing at various 'Area' contests across the country. Foden's won the 'North West Area' in February '26 for the tenth consecutive year. Each band performed the set piece entitled 'A Road Less Travelled By' from the pen of composer Philip Sparke Foden's were delighted to be placed 'third' against such strong opposition, on the back of their 'British Open Victory' a couple of weeks ago. Congratulations to all at the Cory Band on their victory  Test piece: A Road Less Travelled By (Philip Sparke) Adjudicators: Ray Farr; Alan Morrison; Prof. Rob Wiffin OBE 1. Cory (Philip Harper)* 2. Aldbourne (Glyn Williams)* 3. Foden's (Russell Gray)* 4. Black Dyke (Prof. Nicholas Childs)* 5. Desford Colliery (David Morton) 6. Flowers (Paul Holland) 7. the cooperation band (Katrina Marzella-Wheeler) 8. Zone One Brass (Richard Ward) 9. Grimethorpe Colliery (Allan Withington) 10. GUS Band (Christopher Bond) 11. KNDS Fairey (Philip Chalk) 12. Whitburn (Chris Shanks) 13. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse) 14. Derwent Brass (Jack Capstaff) 15. NASUWT Riverside (Richard Marshall) 16. Hepworth (Ryan Watkins) 17. Sandhurst Silver (Joshua Ruck) 18. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith) 19. Ever Ready (Stephen Roberts) 20. Kirkintilloch (Christopher Binns) *pre-qualify for 2027 National Final

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/