Foden’s Band are delighted to announce that registration is now open for the 2025/26 season of Foden’s Youth Band

Mark Wilkinson • September 2, 2025

Now entering its 14th year, the Youth Band continues to offer exciting opportunities for young brass and percussion players aged 21 and under (Grade 5+), bringing together talented musicians from across the region—and beyond—for high-quality music-making, expert tuition, and outstanding performance experiences.
 
The band meets monthly in Sandbach across the academic year, working with Foden’s team of professional conductors, tutors, and guest artists.
 
The focus is on developing young players through challenging repertoire, exposure to top-level musicianship, and opportunities that complement and extend the experiences offered by school, youth, and local banding programmes.
 
The 2025/26 season includes:
 
A joint concert in June 2026 featuring Foden’s Band, Foden’s Youth Band, and Oslofjord Brass Band from Norway.
 
A continued partnership with the Royal Northern College of Music, giving band members the chance to interact with and learn from current RNCM students who shadow Foden’s tutors—offering valuable insight and inspiration for those considering music college in the future.
 
Challenging and rewarding repertoire carefully selected to stretch and inspire.
 
Coaching and mentoring from some of the UK’s leading brass and percussion specialists.
 
Foden’s Youth Band is proud to provide a supportive and ambitious environment where young musicians can thrive, learn, and perform at the highest level.
 
To find out more and apply, please visit:
www.fodensband.co.uk/youth

By Mark Wilkinson May 26, 2026
Last weekend Michael Fowles and the Foden's team lead a training day at Bromsgrove School organised by the Wychavon Festival of Brass The day consisted of full and sectional rehearsals, a Question and Answers session followed by a short concert for parents. Music performed included - The March ‘Home Again’ ‘Little Prayer’ and ‘The Journal of Phileas Fogg’ Thank you to everyone who attended!!
By Mark Willkinson May 26, 2026
Foden's are looking forward to welcoming the fantastic Oslofjord Band (from Norway) this June, as they join the band on stage alongside the talented Foden's Youth Band! Each band will perform a short concert before coming together for a number of exciting joint items! Sandbach School, Crewe Rd, Sandbach 28th June 2:00pm Pay on the door (Free admission to under 18’s) This promises to be a wonderful afternoon of brass music and friendship!
By Mark Wilkinson May 22, 2026
Looking forward to travelling to Wolverhampton to appear at - Venue: St Regis Academy, Wolverhampton Date: 20th June Start Time: 7:00pm Tickets : via attached flyer We are extremely grateful to the 'Richardson Brothers Foundation' for kindly sponsoring the concert
By Mark Wilkinson May 18, 2026
Sandbach Council are delighted to announce the return of 'Party in the Park' which once again features Foden's The event takes place on the 13 th June - Sandbach Park between 3pm - 8pm (with gates opening at 2pm) Further info - www.sandbach.gov.uk/party-in-the-park/ Event link: https://fb.me/e/599lQOVOZ How to get your tickets (by Monday 8th June) - Tickets are available from the Town Hall office (card payments only), or through the Council website: www.sandbach.gov.uk/event-tickets/ £12.50 adults (16+) £5 children (2-16) Family ticket £30 (2 adults & 2 children) Under 2’s go free (Please note that tickets will not be sold on the gate and must be bought in advance)
By Mark Wilkinson May 13, 2026
The band had an productive couple of days in the recording studio last weekend recording not one, but TWO CDs for release later this year! The recording was undertaken by World of Brass and included a Tuba Concerto with the phenomenal Ross Knight. Thanks to Paul Hindmarsh for coordinating both projects which also sees Foden's return to the studio shortly to complete the project
By Mark Wilkinson May 11, 2026
Foden's have been busy in the recording studio recently, which gave them the opportunity to use some of their fantastic equipment from Adams Percussion
By Mark Wilkinson May 11, 2026
Where to see the band in action! 7/6 - Elgar International Festival of Brass - https://www.eifob.org.uk/ 13/6 - Sandbach Park - https://sandbach.gov.uk/party-in-the-park/ 19/6 - Victoria Hall, Hanley - https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens 20/6 - St Regis Academy, Wolverhampton - admin@stregisacademy.org 28/6 - Sandbach School with Foden's Youth and Oslofjord Brass (Pay on the door) 4/7 - @St Mary's Church, Stafford - https://www.ticketsource.com/st.../fodens-band/e-emrkgg 11/7 - Congleton Town Hall (With Matt Ford - https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens
By Mark Wilkinson May 6, 2026
Foden's are delighted to work alongside theirpartner 'Entrust Music Service Staffordshire' to present 'Brass In Harmony' The concert will take on the 19th June in themagnificent 'Victoria Hall, Hanley' featuring Foden's Band and Audley Brass Rode Hall Silver Band Trentham Brass Band Mereside Brass Penkhull Village Brass Foden's Community Band Thank you to event sponsor 'Joseph Lymer &Son and Horne Brothers Independent Family Funeral Directors Tickets available via https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens
By Mark Wilkinson May 5, 2026
Foden’s are saddened to share the passing of former Soprano player and Librarian, Granville Jennings, shortly after his 96th birthday. Granville first joined Foden’s in 1963 remaining with the band for 10 years before joining Royal Doulton and Berisfords. He returned to Foden’s in 1995 as their Librarian, a role he continued in until recently, whilst also playing an active part in the Foden's Community Band. Granville’s dedication, friendship and years of service to the band will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. Everyone at Foden’s sends their sincere condolences and best wishes to his daughter Barbara and family at this sad time. Personal Stories - Granville Jennings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xUx3O-FWSk&t=10s Funeral details will be posted when known
By Mark Wilkinson April 30, 2026
Foden's are delighted to return to 'The Glasshouse International Centre for Music' in November for an unforgettable weekend of world-class brass entertainment. The 'Brass in Concert' entertainment contest will take place on the 14th November featuring eleven fantastic bands The order of play was released last week in this order!!! 1-Tertnes Brass 2-Brighouse and Rastrick Band 3-Desford Colliery Band 4-Flowers Band 5-Hepworth Band 6-The cooperation band 7-The GUS Band 8-The Cory Band 9-Aldbourne Band 10-Foden's Band 11-Tredegar Town Tickets go on sale Wednesday 8 July at 1pm via The Glasshouse website https://theglasshouseicm.org/