Foden’s Youth Band Presents Brass Band Pro-Rege Herenveen B -Orkest
Mark Wilkinson • May 7, 2024
On Sunday 28th April, Foden’s Youth Band enjoyed a visit from Brassband Pro Rege’s B-Band, from The Netherlands. The two bands took part in joint rehearsals with the team of Fodens’ tutors in the morning and gave a concert together at Sandbach School in the afternoon with over 100 musicians taking to the stage.
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Brassband Pro Rege is based in Heerenveen in the North of The Netherlands. The band was formed in 1924, so celebrates its 100-year anniversary this year. The Brassband Pro-Rege organisation comprises an A-band and a B-band.
The A-band is an ambitious group of musicians and plays at a respected level of the first division in The Netherlands. The band is conducted by Anne van der Berg and attends the Dutch National Championships yearly, with several wins in the last few years. The B-band is an enthusiastic group of musicians in full development. Most of the 25 musicians are between the age of 9 and 16. The B-band is conducted by Hendry van Loo and developed last year from a starter ensemble to a full brass band of 5th division level.
Speaking about the event, Foden's Youth co ordinator Mel Whyle commented 'Foden's Youth had a fantastic time working and performing alongside members of the Pro Rege's B Band. We hope this is the start of a close friendship between both bands and thank Hendry van Loo and his team for arranging the visit.'
Foden’s Youth Band meet 10 times per year in Sandbach, Cheshire on a Sunday morning (9:45am-1:15pm) with concerts 2-3 times per year. The band is open to brass and percussion players aged 21 or under who have reached a minimum standard of Grade 5.
New members are always welcome, for information and to apply, please visit our Foden's Youth Band Page
On the 6 th December Foden's will return to the beautiful St Michael's Church in Coppenhall (near Crewe) for a concert of Christmas favourites! Saturday 6th December St Michael's Church, Coppenhall, CW1 3TN 2pm £15 payment on the door
Always one of the highlights of the band's festive period - Foden's will once again team up with the incredible Big Band vocalist Matt Ford on Sunday 7th December to bring some of the all-time favourite festive swing numbers to life in Sandbach! Sandbach School Theatre Sunday 7th December 2pm http://www.priorbooking.com/e/fodens-and-matt-ford-memories-of-christmas-7th-december-2025
Foden's are delighted to announce that they will be heading to St Asaph on Saturday 29th November in a special concert to celebrate the 50th birthday of band president, Paul Mealor! The programme will feature the world premiere of a new work by Paul entitled 'Tranquil Abiding', alongside first performance of a revised version of 'The Callender March' by Percy Fletcher, as well 'Vivat Regina' by William Mathias, 'A Welsh Fantasy' by Gordon Langford and 'Sospan Fach' by Gareth Wood. St Asaph Cathedral Sunday 29th November 7pm https://nwimf.com/en
What says Christmas more than a brass band and a classic film?? Well on the back of Foden's succesful showings of 'The Snowman' in recent years, they are delighted to announce that they we will be bringing some new festive cheer with LIVE performances of the Wallace & Gromit classic 'A Grand Day Out' this December! The show will be performed twice on Saturday 13th December, with shows at 11am and 12:30pm - so why not Foden's at Sandbach School to get into the festive spirit! Saturday 13th December, 2025 Sandbach School Theatre 11am & 12:30pm £12 adults, £8 children under 18, free for under 3's providing sat on adult knee Tickets are available NOW from www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens
On Sunday 19th October a team of tutors from Foden's had the pleasure of visiting Lions Youth Brass to assist with their preparations for this year's Youth 'Brass in Concert Championships' in Gateshead to be held on the 16th November Mark Wilkinson, Melanie Whyle, Mark Bousie, Paul Hughes, Shaun Farrington and Mark Landon all enjoyed a great day working with and inspiring the next generation of brass players in Sandbach. All at Foden's wish them the very best for their ventures in the North East!
On Saturday 18th Foden's opened the 'Leeds Best of Brass Season' at Pudsey Civic Hall, Leeds The capacity audience were treated to an entertaining programme ranging from Mussorgsky’s classic ‘Baba Yaga & Great Gate of Kiev’ to music by Reverend & The Makers as well as a number of the bands World class soloists Further information on the series can be obtained via - https://www.leedsconcertseason.co.uk/theme/leeds-best-of-brass-bcdv
Ahead of their appearance at the National Finals, Foden's look forward to returning to the Regent Hall on 10 th October under the baton of Russell Gray and Michael Fowles. Fresh from their recent recording with Mike Lovatt, Foden's will reunite with Mike to perform tracks from his latest cd (to be released in 2026) as well as from his critically acclaimed '56 Degrees North' cd with Foden's. Mike's choices highlight his lyrical playing as well as fantastic range showing why he is in demand on blockbuster films such as Tomorrow Never Dies and Die Another Day, Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the award winning Chicago, Beyond the Sea, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Madagascar and The Corpse Bride. Foden's will also feature music from their recent Malcolm Arnold CD, tracks from the pen of Goff Richards, Kenneth Downie and Tom Davoren as well as fantastic arrangements from former Musical Director Howard Snell. Theres also a hidden bonus from last years Brass in Concert set and a sneak preview of the Nationals Test Piece 'Symphony in two movements' by Edward Gregson. Programmeu Valaisia Variants - Tom Davoren Little Suite for Brass - Malcolm Arnold Rhapsody for Trumpet - Colin Skinner (Soloist : Mike Lovatt) Joy of Loving Hearts - Kenneth Downie Symphony in two movements - Edward Gregson Toccata in D Minor - Bach arr Ray Farr The Pathways of Love - Colin Skinner (Soloist : Mike Lovatt) Czardas - Strauss arr Howard Snell California Dreaming - Phillips arr Adam Taylor Pure Imagination - Bricusse & Newley arr Colin Skinner (Soloist : Mike Lovatt) Country Scene - Goff Richards Pines of Rome - Respighi arr Howard Snell The concert is supported by Yamaha with tickets available via https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens or tickets@ fodensband .co.uk
On Saturday 27 th September an ensemble from Foden's helped celebrate 200 years of the modern railway at Sandbach Train Station. 'Railway 200' is part of a year nationwide partnership-led campaign to celebrate and inspire a new generation of young pioneering talent to choose a career in rail. The celebration involved a large number of planned events across the Country to celebrate rail’s remarkable past, its role today, and its importance to a sustainable future. The first train to run through Sandbach Station was on May 4th 1842 from Manchester to Sandbach with the station being used primarily for goods and industrial freight and in 1863 the LNER (London North East Railway) was granted by Parliament to install a train line connecting Crewe to Northwich via Sandbach. This was opened on July 1st 1868, which was the first passenger service between Sandbach and Northwich. In 2017 Sandbach Town Council were responsible for installing new town and village signs at several key locations in Sandbach making reference to Foden's Band. One of these signs sits proudly at Sandbach Train Station being erected courtesy of the 'Friends of Sandbach Train Station'. Friends of Sandbach Station are a group of volunteers aiming to make the station a more welcoming and passenger-friendly place
Foden's Youth Band look forward to commencing their 2025 / 26 season on the 5th October ahead of a busy and exciting year! Now in its 14th year the Youth Band offers an incredible opportunity for brass and percussion players (aged 21 and under, Grade 5+) to develop their skills and make music at the highest level. Based in Sandbach, the band meets once a month throughout the academic year, working with the Foden's team of conductors and tutors. Members benefit from expert guidance, challenging and engaging repertoire, and exciting performance opportunities. Foden's Youth are also pleased to renew their partnership with the RNCM which will see RNCM students working with Foden's Youth Band members in sectionals / full rehearsals as well as being mentored by Foden's Band Principal players Mel Whyle - Foden's Youth Co ordinator commented 'We cant wait to return in October with a exciting rehearsal and concert schedule which will see the band performing alongside Foden's and the Oslofjord Brass Band from Norway as well as the 'Love Music Trust' Summer Celebrations. We are also delighted to continue our collaboration with the RNCM and mentor their talented students.' Further info can be obtained via the Fodens Youth Band Page
On the 20/21 September Foden's returned to the recording studio to work alongside the fabulous Mike Lovatt for a disc to be released early next year! As well as recording with Mike, Foden's also had the added bonus of accompanying the legendary Gordon Campbell in a featured duet! The CD was directed by both Michael Fowles and Paul Fisher as well as recording with Matt Skelton (kit), Jeremy Brown (Double Bass), Liam Dunachie (Piano) and Geraldine O'Doherty (Harp) Material was arranged by Colin Skinner who was also featured on Sax with the recording undertaken by World of Brass Further info to be released in due course!
