Foden's open the '2025 RNCM International Brass Band Festival'
Mark Wilkinson • February 3, 2025
On Friday 24th January Foden's once again opened the prestigious '2025 International Brass Band Festival'
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 2025 festival was the celebration of Professor Edward Gregson’s 80th birthday. An award-winning English composer, Gregson has made a profound impact on the wind and brass repertoire. The festival took a journey through his works, from his earliest compositions to his latest piece, Three Gods: Concerto for tenor horn, premièred by Belgian virtuoso Tim De Maeseneer and Foden's.
The Festival also welcomed the Athena Brass Band (an all American Female Brass Band) as well as Foden's, Black Dyke, Tredegar, Brighouse and Rastrick, Cory, RNCM Band, RNCM Junior School Band and Macclesfield Youth.
Foden's Programme
- Paul Mealor Fantasia on a Theme of Purcell
- Edward Gregson Tenor Horn Concerto: Three Gods (world première)
- Elgar Howarth Fireworks
- David Stanhope A Leadsman, a Lady and a Lord
- Elisabeth Vannebo Elektrodesign (UK première)
- John McCabe Cloudcatcher Fells
Interview with Michael Fowles prior to the concert - https://shorturl.at/1U0ZQ
4Barsrest concert review - https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con861.asp
On the 31st January Foden's travelled to Armagh, Northern Ireland for a weekend of musical activities! As in previous years the band worked with a number of soloists in a master class situation. Eager performers were given the opportunity to perform a solo, accompanied by the band, with the relevant Foden's principal player giving constructive spoken feedback as well as addressing the large audience consisting of parents, teachers and supporters. The afternoon session was concluded with a number of massed items, where the soloists, teachers and supporters joined ranks with Foden's. In the evening Foden's performed an entertaining concert to a large and enthusiastic audience which featured their fine array of soloists as well as 'Cassius: The Rumble in the Jungle' from their 2024 Brass in Concert Set. The programme also included the World premier of ‘Lift High The Cross’ by Jonathan Bates, commissioned by the Armagh Brass Band Summer School to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church (where the concert was held). All at Foden's thank Ivor Stevenson MBE and his hard working team for their hospitality on this 24th visit! Plans are already in replace for a return trip in 2026.
Widely regarded as the finest big band singer in the UK, Matthew Ford returns to Congleton Town Hall with the World’s number one ranked band Foden’s, for their celebration of the ‘Kings of Cool’. Voted Best UK Male Big Band Vocalist, and nominated alongside Jamie Cullum in the inaugural Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards, Matthew makes regular appearances with the John Wilson Orchestra, BBC Big Band and performed for five years with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Matthew and Foden’s will perform some of the most iconic songs of Sinatra, Dean Martin, Andy Williams, Elvis and Tony Bennett including That’s Life, I’ve Got You Under my Skin, Sway, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, For Once in my Life, New York, New York and many more! Tickets via https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens
On Sunday 12 th January members of Foden's spent an enjoyable day working with the Academy and Youth Band at Lions Youth ahead of an appearance at the National Youth Brass Band Championships to be held in Hull on the 29 th March. Mark Wilkinson, Jonathan Bates, Mark Bousie, Paul Hughes, Shaun Farrington and Graham Procter took sectional rehearsals before Musical Director Ian Raisbeck (former member of Foden's) took full rehearsals on the Youth Band's set test piece 'Fanfares, Songs and Dances' from the pen of Philip Sparke as well as their own choice work.
Following another successful and consistent contesting year, Foden's commence 2025 as the 'World's Number 1 Band' 1. Foden's (England) 2. Brass Band Treize Etoiles (Switzerland) 3. Cory (Wales) 4. Flowers (England) 5. Black Dyke (England) 6. Eikanger-Bjørsvik (Norway) 7. Brighouse and Rastrick (England) 8. Tredegar (Wales) 9. Valaisia Brass Band (Switzerland) 10. Brass Band Willebroek (Belgium) Full rankings via https://www.4barsrest.com/rankings/
On Sunday 15 th December Foden's teamed up with the fantastic Matt Ford to deliver another sold out 'Memories of Christmas' show at Congleton Town Hall. The band included a number of new arrangements from the pen of John Barber, which included the 'Brass Pack' backing vocals of members Robin Basu, Gary Curtin and Paul White. Foden's were once again joined by Robin Dewhurst on keys All at Foden's would like to wish everyone a fantastic Christmas and looking forward to returning to action next year!
On Saturday 14th December Foden's performed three shows of ‘The Snowman: LIVE’ Each 45-minute show included a number of Christmas favourites before the band provided music alongside the film 'The Snowman.' Once again, the concept proved a huge hit with a capacity audience attending each show.
Last Sunday afternoon saw the awarding of two annual awards, recognising outstanding contributions to the band both on and off the stage! BANDSMAN OF THE YEAR 2024 - ANDY ROLFE 'Bandsman of the Year' was awarded to the band's 3rd cornet player Andy Rolfe who is a pivotal cog in all that goes on behind the scenes in the organisation, none more so than his exceptional work co-ordinating Foden's unforgettable trip to South Korea in August! PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2024 - SAM ILES 'Player of the Year' award was voted by his fellow bandmates as percussionist Sam Iles! Throughout the last 12 months, Sam has showcased his multitude of skills with great aplomb; whether it be outstanding work on the competitive stages, taking the spotlight as one of the featured soloists at Brass in Concert - or providing 'purr-fect' cat impressions in his percussion feature 'Kitten on the Keys' in concerts! Our huge congratulations to both on their richly deserved awards!
On Sunday 8th December Foden's were back in action for their annual Christmas Concert at Sandbach School! Before the event, the band welcomed over 40 friends to a VIP reception, the arriving audience were then treated to Carols from their Community band who also joined Foden's for a massed finale to the event! The concert gave Foden's chance to recognise the outstanding contribution on and off the stage of some of their players, details to be announced shortly!!
Foden's commenced the first of their Christmas performances with a return visit to Tern Hill Hall, Market Drayton on Friday 6th December. The band enjoyed entertaining the appreciative crowd who had fought Storm Darragh to make the concert. Foden's performed an entertaining programme with a number of new arrangements from John Barber plus solos from Richard Poole, Mark Wilkinson, Melanie Whyle, Grace Jeffers, Ashley Dixon, Gary Curtin, John Barber and even Anthony Mann on the congas!!
Following the band's devastating bandroom fire in 2016 which destroyed vast amounts of instruments, irreplicable historical artefacts and sheet music, Foden's Band relocated to their current home of Bradwall Village Hall, rebuilding from the proverbial ashes and delivering multiple National British Open, Brass in Concert and North West Regional titles over the next 8 years. Earlier this year the band received notice that the premises being used would be adapted for other uses. which leaves Foden's facing an uncertain period without a permanent home in Sandbach. Sandbach has always been front and centre of the band's identity throughout their 100+ years of existence, so finding a suitable facility in the area is of paramount importance to the organisation. If any one has any options or suggestions, please contact Mark Wilkinson via marklwilky@hotmail.com to help secure the future of Foden's Band in Sandbach. Foden's are grateful to BBC Radio Stoke for their coverage https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g2dyrgy35o
