Foden's congratulate their President Prof Paul Mealor on a 'Double New Year Honour'
Mark Wilkinson • December 29, 2023
Foden's have sent congratulations to their President Paul Mealor on a 'Double New Year Honour' which has seen him appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victoria Order (LVO) for his services to royal music. The LVO is a personal gift given by the King to people who have served him in a personal way, Paul is this first composer since Sir Arthur Bliss in 1969 to be recognised in this manner. On top of this, Prof Mealor has also been presented with a Coronation medal for his contributions to the service at Westminster Abbey
Speaking about the award Paul commented 'I am still on cloud Nine and thrilled beyond words to be made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victoria Order, it is incredibly special because it was a personal gift of His Majesty. I am also delighted to have been awarded The Coronation Medal for my contributions to the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.'
Paul is also the Artistic Director of the North Wales International Music Festival and this year welcomes, amongst others, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the King Singers and Foden's to St Asaph Cathedral in September
Foden's return to Gawsworth Hall to perform 'Salute to the Kings of Cool' alongside Matt Ford. Matt is regarded as one of the finest big band singers in the UK who regularly performs with the BBC, RTE, Ulster and Norther Sinfonia Orchestras and has appeared at the BBC Proms with the John Wilson and Syd Lawrence Orchestra's The show takes place in the fantastic grounds of this stately home on a large festival stage in front of the hall Bring a picnic and chair for the ultimate swing and big band experience!!! Tickets - £20 via info@fodensband.co.uk
Foden's are extremely grateful to Mayor Ann Nevitt who nominated Foden's as her Mayor's charity in 2024/2025. Ann has arranged a number of events to raise monies for the band to help fund their trip to appear at the European Championships in Norway this year One of these events was a 'Grand Draw' drawn on the 30th March by Ann and Mark Wilkinson with the main prize being £500 donated by 'Poole's towing and recovery' Winning tickets as per the below (all winners have been contacted) 1st Prize 2844 2nd Prize 0025 3rd Prize 0073 4th Prize 1278 5th Prize 1459 6th Prize 2479 7th Prize 2534 8th Prize 1569 9th Prize 1479 10th Prize 1614 11th Prize 0758 12th Prize 1649 13th Prize 0032 14th Prize 1553 15th Prize 1566 Foden's would like to thank Ann, those who purchased tickets as well as the various companies who offered prizes to support the fundraising (photo courtesy of Stewart Green)
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.'
