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 70th 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.'

Foden's return to Burton-upon-Trent and its' spectacular town hall for an afternoon concert showcasing their award winning Entertainment set 'Exodus : Moses in Egypt' and World Class soloists in a programme with music to suit all tastes! Burton Town Hall Sunday 15th February, 2026 2pm  www.burtontownhall.co.uk/events/ or 01283 508100

Foden’s are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Professor John Wallace CBE (1949–2026), a towering figure in the brass world. John’s lifelong commitment to brass music, his artistry, and his inspirational leadership enriched our community, and we are proud to have counted him as a Vice‑President of the band. His passion for excellence and his generosity of spirit touched countless musicians and audiences alike. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and to all whose lives were shaped by his remarkable contribution to brass music.

Preparations are well underway for Foden's Band appearance at this years Brass Band Festival at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, with their opening performance of the festival taking place on Friday 23rd January at 7:30pm! Heartwarming melodies infused with lyrical lines and bright fanfares in Thomas Doss 'A Fanfare of Bells' mark the opening of this concert, setting the stage for an RNCM International Brass Brand Festival commission and world premiere, Claire Cope’s 'The Green Chapel', featuring Bones Apart Trombone Quartet. Next, a piece by the Band’s Artistic Director, Paul Mealor, offers a meditative journey shaped by his walks in the natural landscapes of North Wales. Each movement draws on a line from James Agee’s poem Sure on this Shining Night, bringing the first half of the concert to a contemplative close. Paul Hindmarsh’s brass band arrangement of Britten’s 'Prelude and Courtly Dances from Gloriana' opens the second half and paves the way for a newly re-scored version of Edmund Rubbra’s 'Variations on the Shining River', inspired by a nighttime walk along the River Ness in Scotland. Concluding the evening, Foden's will perform Philip Sparke’s 'Partita' – written in 1989 as a commission for Norway’s renowned Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag. Tickets are available directly from the RNCM website, by visiting: www.rncm.ac.uk/performance/fodens-band/ 

Foden's are excited to announce that they will return to Armagh on Saturday 31st January 2026 for their annual Gala Concert and FREE day-workshop in partnership with the Armagh Old Boys Silver Band. WORKSHOP DETAILS: Brass Blast with Foden's Band (Open for all ages - this is an opportunity to come and play alongside Foden's Band) 12:00pm - 2:30pm 1st Presbyterian Church Armagh Please contact Julie-Anne or Ivor Stevenson for further information and numbers for catering purposes For further information and tickets please contact: Julie-Anne Stevenson: jastevenson4@hotmail.com Ivor Stevenson: ivorbob@hotmail.com or 07734303005 Gordon Stewart: 07889286427 Dessie Watson: 07828693611 The event is thanks to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Department for Communities

Following the success of last months sectionals (which saw over 100 musicians travel to Sandbach to work on next year Area test pieces) Foden's are delighted to announce further dates in 2026! In addition to the brass sessions previously provided, the North West Champions will provide workshop sessions for eager percussionists (across the four sections) with all the various percussion instruments provided in their band room. Conductors can arrange online sessions with Michael Fowels  17th January - Euphs / Baris - Gary Curtin 17/18th January - Trombones - John Barber 18th January - Basses - Andy Cattanach 24th January - Cornets / Sopranos - Mark Wilkinson 25th January - Percussion - Mark Landon 7th February - Horns / Flugels - Mike Eccles Further information can be obtained via marklwilky@hotmail.com prior to the 10th January deadline

Foden's are delighted to announce the signing of Mike Eccles on Flugel Horn following the departure of Melanie Whyle. Mike is no stranger to Foden's having originally joined in 1998 on 3rd cornet, holding various positions within the section culminating in the band’s Nationals victory in 1999. Following his departure from Foden's, Mike held positions with YBS and Hepworth Bands, before joining Fairey’s in 2004. Whilst at Fairey's, he moved onto flugel and became the musical director of the Acid Brass project. After 11 years at Fairey’s, he joined Brighouse and Rastrick where he spent the next 10 years leaving after their British Open victory in September. Musical Director Michael Fowles commented: “Mike is a fine musician and a high quality, established soloist who I’m looking forward to working with very much, he will be a great addition to Foden's.”