In recent years, Foden's have enjoyed a fantastic working relationship with Sandbach School and once again this year, we'll be performing a concert on the 3 rd April, during which we will accompany a number of the Year 13 students in solo items! The concert will begin at 6:30pm with ensembles from the school - including their Concert Orchestra, Big Bands and Choir before we take to the stage in the 2nd half! Sandbach School Theatre Thursday 3rd April 2025 6:30pm www.priorbooking.com/e/sandbach-school-spring-concert-with-fodens-band

Next month, Foden's will head down to Berkshire to appear at the 2025 Newbury Spring Festival with a varied programme ranging from our 2024 Brass in Concert programme paying tribute to Mohammad Ali, through to extended works such as Dvorak's 'Carnival Overture' and Gregson's 'Variations on Laudate Dominum'! Corn Exchange, Newbury Sunday 18th May, 2025 3pm  www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk/event/fodens-band/

Foden's are delighted to announce that their performance at January's RNCM International Brass Band Festival is set to be featured on BBC Radio 3' flagship 'In Concert' programme on Monday 24th March (7.30pm). Hosted by Tom Redmond, it will feature the UK premiere of Edward Gregson's new tenor horn concerto 'Three Gods' featuring Belgian virtuoso Tim de Maeseneer. Led by Michael Fowles, the programme will also include the classic test-pieces, 'Fireworks' by Elgar Howarth plus John McCabe's epic 'Cloudcatcher Fells', as well as 'Elektrodesign' by Elisabeth Vannebo, 'A Leadsman, a Lady and a Lord' by David Stanhope, and 'Fantasia on a Theme of Purcell' by band President Paul Mealor Further information can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00291fp

Over the last year, we've been honoured to be supported so kindly by the Mayor of Sandbach Ann Nevitt, and as part of her support to aid our upcoming trip to represent England at the 2025 European Championships in Stavanger, we'll be performing a concert in Sandbach Town Hall to help our fundraising efforts. 

After an amazing concert opening the inaugural Elgar International Festival of Brass in 2024, Foden's are delighted to be returning once more to the event on Sunday 8th June at Malvern Theatres - with a programme celebrating the music of Edward Gregson, featuring his 'Essay for Brass Band' and festival march 'Chalk Farm No.2', whilst Gary Curtin and Mark Landon will be featured in a spectacular Concerto Grosso by Etienne Crausaz! The concert will also feature contributions from Black Dyke and The Cory Band Festival Theatre, Malvern Sunday 8th June 4:30pm  http://malvern-theatres.co.uk/event/elgar-international-festival-of-brass/

We are delighted to announce that we'll be making our 2nd visit to Burton-upon-Trent in June this year! Burton Town Hall Sunday 1st June, 2025 2pm www.burtontownhall.co.uk/#whats-on

We are looking forward to a number of exciting performances over the next couple of months! Please visit our events page for further information

In mid 2024 Foden's were informed that due to a 'change of use' they would have to vacate their rehearsal premises at Bradwall Hall, Sandbach (home since August 2016) at the end of February 2025. Despite help from the local community, Sandbach Town Council and Cheshire East the band were unable to source premises that accommodated their needs. The bands plight was also aired on BBC radio! Speaking about the search Mark Wilkinson commented 'Due to the band being based in the Sandbach area since 1902 it was paramount that premises in Sandbach were found. During our search we were grateful to numerous bands locally and outside the area who offered their rehearsal spaces. We were extremely grateful to Jef Sparkes and the Acceler8 Band in Crewe who had made arrangements to house Foden's from the start of March' Prior to August 2016 Foden's rehearsed in Moston, Sandbach but due to a devastating bandroom fire moved to Bradwall Hall with the previous premises being restored and used as office buildings. However, at the start of the year the band were informed that the industrial site that originally housed the band had been sold and was now available to lease. Mark continued 'We are delighted to secure our former home in Moston, in the actual building where we rehearsed prior to the fire. Due to the large amount of property stored at Bradwall Hall band members spent the day prior to the North West Area Contest moving equipment with the days after the contest being used to take down acoustic boarding and recording equipment. We are absolutely delighted to remain in Sandbach and return to our original premises which brought so much success between 1995 and 2016.'

On Sunday 22nd February Foden's competed at the 'North West Area' contest held at the Winter Gardens Blackpool. The UK is split into various 'regions' and the top two placed bands at each regional contest is invited to represent their 'region' at the National Finals, held at the Royal Albert Hall London in October. The top three placed bands from the previous years 'National Finals' receive an automatic qualification, due to Foden's being runner up at this contest we had already received an invitation to the 2025 Finals. Foden's competed against 11 other bands performing the set test piece 'Diversions' by Derek Bourgeois, we were subsequently announced as the Champions for the ninth consecutive year also winning the prize for the best Principal Cornet Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs and Andrea Price 1. Foden's (Russell Gray)** 2. Leyland (Daniel Brooks)* 3. Oldham Band (Lees) (John Collins)* 4. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ryan Watkins) 5. Milnrow (Chris Binns) 6. KNDS Fairey (Phil Chalk) 7. Acceler8 (Jef Sparkes) 8. Boarshurst Silver (Jamie Prophet) 9. Rainford (Sarah Groarke Booth) 10.Wingates (Matt Ryan) 11. Longridge (Mark Peacock) 12. Wardle Anderson Brass (Brad McCulloch) Best Principal Cornet: Mark Wilkinson (Foden's) **Pre qualified for National Final * Qualify for National Final