fanfare - foden's band · hangovers as well as an appearance on ‘bbc 1 north west tonight’...

www.fodensband.co.ukOne Hundred Years of Musical Excellence

FanfareNewsletter of the Foden’s Patrons Society

January 2013

Inside this issue...

• Welcome–Mark Wilkinson• Presidentscolumn–Chris Finnegan VP• MD’sColumn–Michael Fowles• Foden’sintheCommunity–Ian Raisbeck• Partners–Sterling Instruments• PlayerFocus– Alan Hodgkinson• Reviews -BritishOpen–Mark Bousie -SoloContest – Andy Rolfe -NationalFinals–Chris Haigh -ManchesterCathedral

– Paul Hindmarsh• DVDOrderForm• Othernewssnippets–IanRaisbeck• ForthcomingEvents–Mark Wilkinson

One Hundred Years of Musical Excellence

www.fodensband.co.uk

DearFriends

What a year 2012 has been for the band! Duringmy 20 years service this year has been by far themostmemorableinrelationtocontestwins,profileandexposureforthebandaswellasenjoymentandconsistentlygoodplaying!

2012‘Ayeartoremember’

January: Thebandwere infine format the ‘RoyalNorthernCollegeofMusic’under thedirectionof formerMusicalDirectorHowardSnellwhereweperformedaprogrammeof ‘serious’ repertoire toacapacityandappreciativeaudience.ThiswasfollowedbyaCDrecordingwithHowardthefollowingdayforaCDentitled‘Masquerade’tobereleasedattheBritishOpencontestinSeptember.

February:Consistedofanumberofconcerts includingourannual trip toArmagh,Northern Ireland.Wealsocompetedinthe‘NorthWestAreaContest’inBlackpool.Atthiscontestwewereplacedadisappointing3rdbutstillqualifiedfortheNationalFinalstobeheldinOctoberattheRoyalAlbertHall.

March:BacktotherecordingstudiotorecordtwotestpieceswithourprofessionalconductorAllanWithingtontocompletethe‘MasqueradeCD’aswellastwohighlyenjoyableconcertsatSandbachSchoolperforming‘TheSoundofMusic’withanumberofprimaryschoolsaspartofaprojectco-ordinatedbyAllanandKirstenWithington.

April:Veryproudto leadthe‘SandbachTransportFestival’onceagainaswellasperformingalongsideandaccompanyingthewinnersforthe‘CheshireEastSchool’sMusicContest’.

May:PrestigiousconcertattheBridgewaterHall,Manchesteraswellassharingthestagewithourfriends,LionsYouthBrassatCongletonTownHall.

June:Backtowinningwaysbybecomingthe‘WhitFridayMarchContestChampions’pickingup£7,000inprizemoney.LaterinJunewewereplaced3rdatthe‘EnglishNationalsContest’inPrestonwhichisthequalificationcontestfortheEuropeanChampionshipin2013tobeheldinNorway.Disappointedtonarrowlymissout;butitdidmeanwedidnothavetostartraisingthe£25ktotravelandcompeteinthecontest!AlsoperformedinanoutdoorconcertinSandbachParkinaweekendfestivalorganisedbySandbachCounciltocelebratetheJubilee. July:MoreeducationalworkforthebandappearinginconcertswiththetalentedmusiciansatLittleLeverHighSchool,BoltonandSandbachBoysSchoolbefore4weeksbandholidays.Duringthis‘break’anumberofthebandplayerstutoredonvarioussummerschoolswiththe‘NationalYouthBandofGreatBritain’,‘NationalYouthBandofScotland’,‘ArmaghSummerSchool’,‘WessexSummerSchool’and‘BolsoverSummerSchool.’

August: Returned from band holidays with a welcome return to Gawsworth Hall after a 12 year absence.RehearsalsstartfortheBritishOpenContestinSeptember.

September:CrownedtheBritishOpenChampions!!!HighprofileconcertsatBuxtonOperaHouse,BridgewaterHallaswellasafundraisingconcertfor‘HelptheHeroes’atCranageHall.

Welcome...-MarkWilkinson,PrincipalCornet






October: Principal players hold a coaching day in Norwich. Laterinthemonththebandbecamethe‘NationalChampionsofGreatBritain’thefirsttimesince1999and102yearssincethebandwonthisandtheBritishOpeninthesameyear.Victorywasfollowedbyalotofhangoversaswellasanappearanceon‘BBC1NorthWestTonight’aswellasamongstvariouslocalandnationalpresscoverage.

November:‘Masquerade’isawarded‘BritishBandsmanMagazineCDoftheyear’beatingreleasesfromBlackDyke,Brighouse,Cory,Fairey’s,Leyland.Foden’sruntheirownSoloContestforthe2ndtimedrawingover130contestantsfromalloverthiscountry,IrelandandBelgium. This contest also saw the first performance of the newlyformed‘Foden’sYouthBand’,whichweareveryproudoff.Foden’sruntheirown‘SelfPromotionalConcert’atManchesterCathedralto a capacity audience in excess of 830 people which is recorded asaliveDVDrelease.

December:‘Masquerade’isawarded‘BrassBandWorldMagazine’CDoftheyearbeatingtheabovereleasesagain!Appearanceon‘BBC1NorthWestTonight’ChristmasSpecialaswellasaninvitationto appear on a new BBC 1 TV programme with Frank Skinner,Gabby LoganandDavidWilliams.Unfortunately theproposed TVprogrammewaslaterpostponedduetothewithdrawalbythepresenter.Foden’srecord‘PatronsChoice6’whichwillfeaturethewinningperformancesfromtheBritishOpenandNationals,thiswillbededicatedtoallofourPatrons.Theyearisfinishedoffwithourannual‘ChristmasMeal’andaperformanceinfrontofourfriends,supporters and Patrons at Sandbach School.

During2012thebandhaveperformedin99rehearsals,38concerts/recordings,6coachingdays(notincludingrehearsalsandtutoringtheFoden’sYouthBand)

WearealwaysonthelookoutforanyhelpthatPatronsmaybeabletoofferinvariousareas,ifanyonewouldliketohelpthebandinanywaypleasecontactmyselfon07740354106ormarklwilky@hotmail.com

Finally,from2013wehavehadtoslightlyincreasetheminimumdonationofbecomingapatronfrom£16to£18duetoincreasedcostsintheprintinganddistributionofthepatronsmagazine.Ihopethiswillnotdeteryouforcontinuingwithyourmembershipwhichwegreatlyvalueandappreciate.

OnbehalfofallatFoden’sthankyouforyourcontinuedsupportandlookforwardtoseeingyouallagainatthePatronsConcertonthe19thFebruary.

Mark Wilkinson




DearFriends

2012hasbeenmyfirstfullyearasaVicePresidentofFoden’sBand.ItwasaprivilegetobeaskedtojointheteamparticularlyasIamnotamusicianandcanbarelysingintune!

Igrewupinthe1950’slisteningtomygrandfatherandunclessingthepraisesofFoden’sMotorWorksBand,sowhenIreturnedtotheNorthWest,in1989,Ihadlotsofopportunitiestoreacquaintmyselfwiththeirmusicandperformances.

Beingpartof the teamhasmademe realise justhowmucheffort,dedicationand teamwork isinvolvedbehind the scenes todeliver the immaculateperformancesand the incredible results...whatayear!

Thiswonderfulbunchof individualswork togetherasa team, theyallgive110%of their time,notjustplayingandpractising,butalsorunningthebandasyoumightanybusiness,generatingfunds,tryingtobalancethebooksandwatchthecashflow.Ihavefoundthattheyhavesomeremarkablestrengths,butIamstillnotsurewhichelementisthemostimportant.Isitthestabilityandconsistencyoftheplayersandtheirfriendshipandloyaltytoeachotherandtous?-Theycertainlyhavethesequalities. Is it theirmusicianshipand their inspirationalconductorsandassociates, or thearmyofhelpers and the healthy network of supporters and partners? The answer is probably all of these thingsinequalmeasure.Justasreassuringisthattheyalsorecognisethatastrength,ifneglected,can easily become a weakness- nothing stands still and it is important to look forward for newopportunities and partnerships.

TomeFoden’sBandisawonderfulambassadorforBritishbrassbanding;fortheNorthWestandforSandbach,longmayitcontinue.Iamproudtostandalongsidethemonanyday.

Thankyoufor readingmythoughtsandthankyouforyoursupport,pleasecarryonspreadingthemessage!

Please also be assured that your Band really does need you.

BestWishestoeveryonefor2013

PresidentsColumn-ChrisFinnegan,Vice-President

Chris Finnegan

MD’sColumn-MichaelFowles,MusicalDirector




MD’sColumn-MichaelFowles,MusicalDirector

Hello Friends

Wellwhatayear!The“Double”doesn’thappenthatoftenandallofusassociatedwiththebandareincrediblyproudoftheachievement.To give you some idea of the rarity letme share themost recentsequenceof“Doubles”–1985,1993,2000andthenFoden’sin2012some102yearssinceourillustriousbandlastachievedthisfeat!

Thelast12monthshaveseenthebandonconsistentlyhighformontheconcertplatformentertainingaudiencesthelengthandbreadthof the country with 2 particular highlights for this writer being theBridgewaterHallSpringFestivalandourownself-promotedconcertinManchesterCathedral.AttheBridgewaterthebandgaveavariedprogrammethat includeda stunning soloperformancebyouroldfriendRexRichardsonandapowerfulperformanceofTheLegendofKingArthurbyourmusicalassociateDrPeterMeechan.This lastpieceisthetitletrackofourlatestCDthatfeaturesthemusicofDrMeechanandhasmetwithcriticalacclaim.ThisdiscwasreleasedattheCathedralwhichwasfittingasPeterhadarrangedtheRequiembyFaureforthisconcertbutitwashisEpitaphforHillsborough(alsoonthedisc)whichprovidedthemusicalhighlightofthenightformany–thesilencewhichgreetedtheperformancewasonlydisturbedbyfootballfansoutsidethevenuewhichgavetheperformanceapoignancyfewwillforget.

Theband’squalityof recordingshasagainbeen recognisedby theawardspanelsof thevariousbandingpresswiththeCDMasqueradegainingCDoftheYearawards.Thismarvellousdiscfeatures4piecesfromtheserioussideoftherepertoirewiththebandrisingtothechallengesuperblyandwithwonderfuldirectionfromHowardSnellandAllanWithington.

AsyouknowDecember`usuallyseesthebandrecordthelatestdiscinthePatronsChoiceseriesandthisyearisnoexception.IcannowtellyouthatPatronsChoice6willbeaveryspecialreleaseindeed.Itwillincludebothwinningperformancesthatsecuredthe“Double”conductedbyAllanWithington.Thiswillmakethediscauniquemementoofaveryspecialyearsoisadiscnottobemissed.

In addition it will feature our award winning “Double” soloists Richard Poole (Nationals BestInstrumentalist) andGlynWilliams (BritishOpen Best Euphonium).Other soloists on thediscwill beLesleyHowie,HelenWilliams,JohnBarberandaXylophoneduetbyMarkLandonandAnthonyMannwhich,alongwithotherconcertmaterialonthedisc,youwillhearatthePatronsConcertinFebruarywhen this special disc in the series will be released.

Michael Fowles



Monday6thAugustsawthestartofthe12thAnnualArmaghOldBoys’SummerSchool ledonceagainby9 tutors fromFoden’sBand. This year’s tutorswereRichard Poole, Ian Raisbeck, Lesley Howie, NatsumiMcDonald, Mark Bousie,ShaunFarrington,StewartBaglin,AnthonyMannandMichaelFowles.

Theformatforthecoursesawachangeinpreviousyearswiththecreationoftwoseparatebandsdue toattractingover100delegates. TheSterlingBand,conductedbyMarkBousie,featuredplayersofastandardequivalenttogradefiveandbelowand themoreadvanceddelegatesattended the SovereignBand rehearsals led by Michael Fowles.

Thecoursewasonceagainabusybutenjoyableweek,featuringfullrehearsals,sectionals,warmupsandmasterclassesledbyLesleyHowie,AnthonyMannandIanRaisbeck.Thursdayevening saw the annual Young Soloists Night which featured music by the Foden’s tutors as theyaccompaniedover25solos,duetsandquartetsfromtheexcellentandbraveyoungmusiciansonthecourse.After theFriday lunchtimeBBQ,whichfeaturedatutors treat fromFoden’s, including‘LiveandLetDie’byRichardPooleandastunningrenditionof‘RuleBritannia’byNatsumiMcDonald,thehallwaspackeddownreadyfortheSaturdaynightgalaconcert.

TheSaturdaynightgalaconcertsawtwostunningperformancesbytheSterlingandSovereignBandbeforejoiningforcesforthemasseditemsofStarLake,HymntoBarossaandProcessiontotheMinster.

WhilstatBelfastAirportontheSundaymorningtheFoden’stutorswereleftarguingoverwhohadgainedthemostweightthroughouttheweek,theonethingtheydidagreeonwasthatthiswasthebestcourseyetandwerealreadylookingforwardtonextyear.

ThanksmustgotoIvorStephensonandhistirelessteamofhelperswhoworkallyearroundtoensurethatthesummerschool,andFebruaryvisitofFoden’s,runsmoothlyeveryyear. Regular readerswill know that for thepastyear Ihavebeenupdatingyouonourefforts to formandmentorourownyouthband.Iamdelightedtotellyouthatweachievedouraim!ThenewbandopenedforapplicationsinJune2012;theresponsewasover-whelmingwith60placesbeingfilledbyyoungplayersfromallaroundCheshireandfurther,includingSouthYorkshire,Lancashire,NorthWalesandtheMidlands.OnSeptember28ththebandrehearsedforthefirsttimeandonNovember3rditsinauguralperformancetook place.

Thenewbandhavebenefitedfromexpertdirection/tuitionfromFoden’stutors,aswellasperformingalongsideinternationalsoloistsLesNeishandJensLindemann.Performancesin2013havealreadybeenconfirmedattheprestigiousRoyalNorthernCollegeofMusicFestivalofBrassandatCheshire’spicturesqueGawsworthHall.

Ithasbeenalongroadtoreachthispoint;newpartnershipshavebeenforged,inparticularwithLoveMusicTrust(CheshireEastMusicHub)andRoyalNorthernCollegeofMusic.ItismyhopethatwearejustatbeginningofanexcitingjourneyforFoden’s,supportingourYouthBandformanyyearstocome.

Foden’s in the Community

-IanRaisbeck,2ndCornet,YouthBandCo-ordinator



Partners -SterlingInstruments






Partners -SterlingInstruments

Sterling Musical Instruments have been manufacturing in the UK since 1987, producing brassinstrumentsspecificallyaimedattheBritishstylebrassband.ByemployingseveralBoosey&Hawkescraftsmen, thecompanywasable to rapidlyestablish itself in thebrassbandmarket,producinghandbuiltqualityinstruments.

Thenextstageofdevelopmentwastorecognisethegrowingdemandbymusicians,thatnoteveryonewantedthestandard‘offtheshelf’instrument.Thishasresultedinthedevelopmentofthenew‘SterlingVirtuosoRange’,whichallowsmusicianstodesignaninstrumentthatbestsuitstheirneedsanddemands.

The founderandsoleownerofSterling,PaulRiggett (himselfanaccomplishedbrassmusician),waspreviouslyManufacturingManagerforBoosey&HawkesLtdbeforecreatingSterling.Assuch,hehasunequalledexperienceinthemanufactureanddesignofprofessionalbrassinstruments.

In2006PaulapproachedGlynWilliamsfromFoden’stotryouthisSterlingVirtuosoEuphonium;afteraweekofblowingtheinstrument,Glynrefusedtosenditbackandwroteoutachequeinstead.SincethattimeGlynhasworkedverycloselywithPaulimprovingthewholerangeofSterlingInstrumentsandsellingthemintothebrassbandmarket.

TheSterlingVirtuosoEuphoniumisnowdescribedasthe“ChoiceofChampions”andit’seasytoseewhy.AtFoden’sGlynhasbeenjoinedontheinstrumentbyMarkBousie,atBrighouse&RastrickbybothDavidThorntonandDavidBelshaw,andatLeylandBandbyLewisMussonwhowasthe2011BBCRadioYoungBrassSoloistoftheYear-justtomentionafewofthehighprofileplayersnowplayingSterling!

PaulisalsoveryproudthathisinstrumenthasalsobeenchosenbyeuphoniumlegendsTrevorGroomandLyndonBaglin,givingitevenmorekudosinthebrassbandworld.

SterlingMusicalInstrumentsarepleasedtobepartnerswiththeFoden’sBandandthattheirinstrumentshavebeenchosenbyLesleyHowieandtheTenorHornsectionandmostrecentlybyNatsumiMcDonaldandMikeWarrinerintheBaritonesection.TheSterlingSopranoCornetgainedextrarecognitionafterFoden’s Richard Poole won the coveted Best Instrumentalist Prize at the 2012 National Brass BandChampionshipsandPauliscurrentlyworkingonthedevelopmentofaFlugelHornwithhelpfromHelenWilliams.AnewSterlingCornet isalsoalmost ready for launchonto themarketandwillbe triedatFoden’sfirst!

PaulandSterlingMusicalInstrumentsareverymuchlookingforwardtowelcomingFoden’sBandtotheCornExchangeintheirhometownofBedfordon19thMay2012tocelebratethe25thAnniversaryofinstrumentproduction.



TellusalittleaboutyourbackgroundasaMusician.

HavinglivedabroadinJordan,HongKongandthePhilippinesasayoungboy,brassbandingwasneverattheforefrontofmymind.IactuallystartedtolearntoplaythetrombonewhenIwasaround9 yearsofage. Iwas living in thePhilippinesat the timeandgrewupwith theAmerican styleofschoolingandbanding.Iwantedtoplayinthebigbandandjazzidiom.MyfatherplayedguitarforBillyJKramerandtheDakotasforawhilebutotherthanthat,therewasnomusicalfamilybackground.

Asweleft,myfatheraskedifwewantedaleavingpresent.Iaskedforatrombone,mybrotheraskedforaguitar.Mydadcamebackwithtwoguitars!Notagreatstart.So,whenwecamebacktotheUKandmovedbacktoSaddleworth(theheartofBrassbandingcountry),Iwenttotheschoolthere.IaskediftheyhadanysparetrombonesandthereplyIgotwas“no,buttrythisforsize”!IwasdumpedwithaBBbbass.Iperseveredforalittlewhilebutthetransportissuesbecametoomuch.LuggingaBBbforamileandahalffromthebusstoptothehousewasnotideal!Anyway,alittlelaterafriendofminetoldmethattheDobcrossYouthBandwaslookingforabassplayer.Idecidedtogoupforablowandtherestishistory.Bandinggetsinyourblood.It’sabitlikeadrug!Sincethosehazydays,Ihaveplayedwithsomeofthetopbands inthecountry(Fairey’s,Brighouse,LeylandandFlowerstonameafew)beforethedreamphonecallhappened,askingmetojointheonebandIalwaysdreamedofplayingfor.Thatbandis,ofcourse,Foden’s.

WhatisyourfavouritepartofplayingforFoden’sBand?

IthinkthereareanumberofthingsthatmakesplayingforFoden’ssospecial.Firstlyisthestandard.It’ssoextremelyhighandasaresultverysatisfying.Thebandiscrammedfulloffabulousmusicians.Highlytalented,highlymotivated,extremelymusicalandtheymakesuchagreatsound.Notonlyaretheygreatatwhattheydoaroundthemusicstand,buttheyaresomeofthebestpeopleIhaveeverhadtheprivilegeofknowing.It’sarealteameffortandattimesIfeelhumbledtobeapartofsuchagreatteam.

Whathavebeenthehighlightsofyourmusicalcareersofar?

The highlights have to be what we have just achieved. It was always a dream to win amajorcompetitionwithanyband.AnywouldhavedoneifI’mbeinghonest.But,todothedoubleisusuallyreservedforthosedreamerslikeme.Itneverhappensinreality,untilnow!Ithasbeenamazingandit’ssomethingthatwilllivewithmefortherestofmylife.Itdoesn’tmatterwhatwalkoflifeyou’refrom,tobeaNationalChampionandanOpenchampioninanythingyoudoisamassiveachievement.



Player Focus AlanHodgkinson,BbBass






Doyouhaveanyaspirationsforthefuture?

IguesstheonethingthatIwouldliketodobutneverhavedone,isexperiencetheEuropeanBrassBandChampionships.It’sacontestthathasalwaysbeenelusivebutIfeelwiththecurrentband,wecannotonlyqualifyforitbutwinitaswell!Of course, I would love to defend our DoubleChampionsstatusaswell. Thatwouldbeanamazing feat that Idon’tthinkhaseverbeendonebefore!Oncethatisachieved(ifatallpossible), Idon’t think Icouldgoanywhereelseandretirement looms. I haven’t thought about what wouldhappenafterIfinishplaying.Startafamilymaybe?Idonotparticularlywanttogointoconductingbutyouneverknow.However,itwouldn’tbeatthestandardthe band play at.

Whatdoesyourday-to-dayjobinvolve?

Iwork in the stores for aChemical Research&Development companybased in theHigh Peak(Chapel-en-le-Frith). I haveworkedwith the firm for 15 years now.My job involves ina nut shell,handlinglotsofnastyandquitelifethreateningchemicals, lookingaftertheneedsofthe90orsochemistsandpacking/sendingoutpackages.Itchangesfromdaytodaybutit’sdefinitelyafarcryfrommybanding!

Whatdoyouenjoydoingwhenyouhavetimeoffworkandband?

WhenI’mnotdoingeither, Iusuallyspendmytimecooking(ahobbyI reallyenjoyandcurry isaparticularfavouriteofmine),readingoccasionallyandwatchingfilms.OfcoursethethingIdomostthoughisjustspendingqualitytimewithmyotherhalf.Asanonebanderwhohasbeenthrowninatthedeepend,sheisextremelyunderstandingofwhatthe“hobby”entails.Notonlyissheveryunderstandingbutsheisverypatientandsupportive.Withouthersupport,Icouldn’treallycarryontothehighstandardthatFoden’sdemands.Ontopofthat,allourfreetimeiscurrentlybeingusedtoorganiseourweddingnextsummer!






Winningamajor brass bandcontest is not an easy thing to do. Thismight seem tobean entirelyobviousstatementtomakealthoughouramazingautumnof2012mightindicateotherwise!Thereareanumberoffactorsthatneedtocometogetheroncontestdayinorderforyouallofsuddentofindyourselfonstagecelebratingwithyourfellowladsandlassesofthebandandabigtrophynottoofarawayfromyourreach.Firstly,andmostimportantly,thebandneedstodeliveraperformanceofthehighestmusicalandtechnicalvalues.Butthentherearetheindeterminablefactorsofthedraw,howtheotherbandsperformandthesubjectiveopinionoftheadjudicators.

ForthepastfouryearsatthebandingcapitalsofLondon,BirminghamandPreston(!)thecontestingchemistryforFoden’shadbroughtsomenearmisses,butnotquiteawinningequation.Happilyonthe1stSeptember2012,onasunnydayintheheartofEngland,allofthischangedandsobeganoneofthemostsuccessfulperiodsintheband’sillustrioushistoryaswellasmaintainingitsrecordofwinningtheBritishOpeninrecentOlympicYears(2004and2008bothsawvictoriesfortheband).

ThebandheadedtoBirminghamwithgreatconfidence.Thetestpiece,‘Electra’byMartinEllerby,ahighlyrhythmic,lyricalandexcitingnewcommissionforthecontestsuitedthebandandasusualAllanWithingtonhadnotleftastoneunturned.TherapportbetweenFoden’sandMrWithingtonhasalwaysbeenexcellent,butaftertwoyearsworkingtogether,hasgrownintosomethingspecial.

So tocontestmorningand thecrucialdraw:Number9meantwe’dbeperforming justbefore theadjudicator’s‘comfort’break.Anidealperformancetime,butonlyifyoudelivertheidealperformance!Anddeliverthebandcertainlydid!Thefirstmovement,‘LustforRevenge’,sawthebandperformwithdrive,intensityandenergy,whilstthesecondmovement,‘Laments’,showcasedthebandslegendarysoundandworldclassstableofsoloists.Bythetimeofthefinalmovement,‘DancetoDeath’,Foden’swasonmusicalfireandtheadrenalinfuelledperformancedrewtheaudienceintoafrenzy.

Thenthelongwaitforresults.ThegrapevinehadtoldusthatBlackDyke,CoryandBrighousehadalsodeliveredfineperformances.Theresultsceremonywasanoccasionthatwillstaylonginthememory.Ahappypersonalcoincidencewasthat,astherecipientofthe2012MortimerMedal,IwasseatedontheSymphonyHallstage,waitingnervouslyalongsiderepresentativesfromallofthecompetingbands. First the individual instrumentalawardsandwithGlynWilliamswinningyetanothersoloprize,Ithinkweknewwe’dbeinwithashout.Notthatthismadethecountdowntofirstprizeanylessagonising!BythetimeBlackDyke’snamehadbeenannouncedasrunnerupallofthefavouritesfortheOpenShield,except Foden’s, knew their fate.Hadaband sneakedupunnoticed,however?Thesenseofreliefandjubilationasthecompere announced the British Open Champions of 2012 tobetheFoden’sBandwasimmenseandwasthecueforgreatcelebrationlateintothenight!

Review British Open

-MarkBousie,2ndEuphonium






November3rdsawthesecondyearoftheFoden’sSolo,Duetand Quartet Contest at Sandbach School. Although onlyone year on, this “new” initiative has grown into probablythelargestcontestinthecountrywith180playersofvaryingagesdescendingonSandbach.Althoughexcellentplanninghasbeenatrademarkofthiscontest,thisyearprovedtobemoreofa taskwithextraentriesmakinga 3rdadjudicatora necessity. The entries this year have even reached theEuropeanshoreswithplayersfromBelgiuminadditiontomostcornersoftheUKtravellingtobepartofthisgreatday.

With support from Besson, this year’s adjudicators includedtuba superstar LesNeish,Cornet soloistHarmenVanhoorneandRichardAshmore, thebass tromboneof theBBCUlsterOrchestra.AudiMacclesfieldagaingavegenerous supporttoensurewehadasoundfinancialbasetostartfrom.

Thedaystartedat9:30amacrossthreedifferenthalls; therewere many excellent performances from every class andeach adjudicator had the difficult task in choosing a topthree.CompetitorsandspectatorswereabletovisittradestandsfromavarietyofsuppliersincludingGlynWilliamsMusicalInstruments,BoobsandBrass,IMASMusic,BirchfieldMusicandTheKing’sDivision.TherefreshmentstandhadaconstantqueueasFoden’sstarsRichardPooleandMarkLandonservedhotdogsandcakesandtherewasagreatatmosphereofexcitementandoptimism.

Asexpectedthetwosilentguestsonshowthroughoutthedaygotmassesofattention.ThetrophiesoftheBritishOpenandNationalsChampionshipssatproudlyupatthefrontofthestagewheretheyouthbandwastoperformattheendoftheday.Thiswasatreatforeveryonetoadmirethepinnaclesofbandingsuccessandgettheirphotographwiththesetwofamoustrophies.

TheendofdayconcertshowcasedthelatestsuccessstoryfromtheSandbachstable,theFoden’sYouthBand.62fineplayers treatedtheaudiencetoawiderangeofmusicandfeaturedRichardPooleandLesNeishunderthebatonofMarkBousie.AllthreeoftheexhaustedadjudicatorshadagreatdayandwithspecialawardsdistributedeveryoneleftSandbachwithasmileontheirface.SpecialthankswenttoFionaRolfeforagaindemonstratingfine planning and organisational skills, the principal sponsors Besson and Audi Macclesfield, thecompetitorsforembracingthedayandcompetingingoodspiritandtomyfellowbandmembersforfantastic support.

Wearenowlookingforwardtoour3rdSoloCompetitionin2013!



Review Foden’s Solo Contest

-AndyRolfe,2ndCornet







In1910,Britainwasaverydifferentplacetotheworldwenowinhabit;thehullfortheworld’slargestoceanlinerhadrecentlybeen launched in Belfast, King George was the reigningmonarchandabandfromthelittletownofSandbachwonthetwolargestbrassbandcontestsintheworld.

Before the cheers from Foden’s triumphant British Openvictory had died down, Allan Withington and Mike Fowleswerealreadypreparinganonslaughton the leviathan testpiece Ravel’s “Daphnis and Chloe” arranged by Foden’sex-conductor Howard Snell. The plan was simple in itsconception,butwouldpresentagreatchallenge thenewBritishOpenchampions,musicalityandimpressionismwasthekey–performRavellikeanorchestra.

With a fiendish soprano part and such delicate nuanceslitteredthroughout,thebandworkedtothecontestwithanintensityneverpreviouslyseen.TeamworkthathumbledthetwoconductorsinthemiddleandanoverwhelmingsenseofpridefromeverymemberofFoden’sthatdaredtodreamofthe“doublechampions”titleoozedfromtheFlowcretebandroom.

When the day was upon us, Foden’s waited in the small church that had been booked asour rehearsalvenue inKensington for thedrawtocomethrough…17th.An initial sighof relieffollowedbytheeagernessandexcitementthathadcarriedusthisfar,weboardedthecoachandpreparedforourperformance.

With Brighouse and Rastrick going for a hat-trick of wins at the National Finals and Black DykedesperatetomaintaintheirrunofformwhichhadseenthemlifttheEuropeantitleearlierintheyear,thiswaswithoutdoubtoneofthemosthotly-anticipatedcompetitionsinthehistoryofbrassbanding. Waitingbackstageat theRoyalAlbertHallwassomewhatsurreal this timeasopposedtoourotherappearanceshere.Thebandwerecalmandcollectedandtherewasarealbuzzabouttheplayers,wherethebutterfliesinourstomachsseemedtobecocoonedbyourconfidence.AllanWithington,theband’senigmaticmusicaldirector,stood,ashealwaysdid,inthecorridorbehindthestageandremarkedtome,“Ifwegooutthereandplaylikewecan,nothingcanstopus.Itwillbeunbelievable.”Inoddedinagreement,notwishingtosayanythinglessenigmatictoruinthemoment.

AsthebandwalkedoutontothestageitcouldonlybecomparabletoafootballteamsteppingontotheturfatWembleyintheworldcupfinal.Thenearcapacityhall(thelargestnumberseenattheeventinrecentyears)wasahiveofexpectancyandanticipation.Thiswasit…WhenthefinalnoteoftheBacchanalefrom“DaphnisandChloe”sounded,theaudiencewere

Review National Finals

-ChrisHaigh,1stHorn





wildandtheexcitementreachedfeverpitch.Lookingaroundthestagepeopleweregenuinelyemptyofemotionandpassionthattheyhadpouredthroughtheirinstrumentsforthelastsixteenminutes.AllanWithingtontappedhisstandwithhisbaton,visiblyproudofhisplayers’achievements.

Theresultsofthecontestwereasomewhatlivelierwiththemajorityofthebandpersonnelfindingthemselvesat“TheGoat”pubforapost-performancebeverage(ortwo),halfamilefromthehall.Onememberofthebandhadhismotheronthephonewhowasinthehallsohecouldlistentotheresultsandthus,thecountdownfrom6thplacedbandthroughtochampionsofBritainbegan.LookingaroundIsawahugeclutchofplayerslisteningtothetelephone,aswellasAllanWithingtonandhiswife,Kirsten,Foden’scomposerinresidence,AndyScott,amongstothers.Assecondplacewasannounced…BrighouseandRastrick,theexcitementinmyselfandeveryonearoundmewasreachingfeverpitchlevels.Couldthisbeit?Havewewonthegreatestcontestintheworldforthefirsttimesince1999?Thenextfewmomentswereablurofpintsbeingthrownintotheair,Foden’splayersrunningthehalf-milestretchdownKensingtonhighstreetinawaythatwouldmakeOlympiansshudder,tears,hugsandscreamsofdelight. In 2012, on stage at the Royal Albert Hall, Foden’s players celebrated not only winning thehugeNationalChampionshiptrophy,butalsothebrassbandfromthelittletownofSandbachcelebratedwinningthetwolargestbrassbandcontestsintheworldforthefirsttimesince1910.





The following article features excerpts from a review published in the British Bandsman magazine...

TherewasapalpableatmosphereofanticipationandcelebrationinManchesterCathedralonSundayeveningaheadoftheconcertbythedoublechampions,Foden’sBandunderassociateconductor Michael Fowles. This was the chance for friends and supporters to experience somethingofthequalityofmusicalperformancethathasmade2012suchamemorableyearfortheSandbachband.WhenIarrived,with40minutesstilltogobeforethestart,thenaveoftheCathedralwasalreadybuzzingandby7.30whentheRev.MarkAshcroft,oneoftheCathedral’sclergyteam,welcomedusall,virtuallyeveryseatwastaken.

Howard Snell’s polished transcription of the Bach chorale prelude In Thee is Joy opened the concert with an appropriate style and resonance, given the surroundings. The space suitedFoden’sfinessedsound.With itssonorouschordsanddramaticenergyMendelssohn’syouthfulovertureRuyBlas transfersmore successful tobrassband (inmyview) than thebetter knownFingal’sCave. InMichael Fowles’ reading, thecontrasting lyricaland lighter second subjects,wherethethemesofburningambitioninVictorHugo’stragicdramagivewaytoamomentofromance,werebeautifullycontrasted.ThespellofdramatictensioncreatedbyMendelssohn’shot-bloodiedoverturewassoondissipatedbythegenialpresenceofJensLindemann.Hehadtheaudience in thepalmof his hand straightawaybyexplaining,with typical humour,whyhewasdressed incharcoalgrey - hispurple jacketbeing too ‘Brighouse’, hisgreenone too‘YBS’,andhisblackonewithgoldtrimtoo‘BlackDyke’!;andheplayedlikeadreaminfellowCanadianAllanGilliland’sjazzconcertoDreamingoftheMastersIII.

After the fantastic flying fingers of the Concerto, Peter Meechan’s Epitaph for Hillsboroughprovidedamomentofrespectfulcalm.Dr.Meechan’sdevotiontoLiverpoolfootballclubiswellknowntohisfollowersonFacebookandTwitter.Thissimplebutpowerfulwork isanaltogetherdeepermarkofsolidarityandsympathytoallthoseaffectedbytheHillsboroughtragedy25yearsago. Jens Lindemannand Foden’s followed this highly-chargedworkwith anotherMeechanpiece,Starlight,anexpressiveballadstylenumber,composedforJens’DreamingoftheMastersalbum.IstherearebrassbandinthelandasstylisticallyflexibleasFoden’sof2012?Duringthefirsthalf,thebandtransformeditselfwithcompleteconvictionfromachampionbrassbandtotheFoden’s‘bigband’,theFoden’sbrassensembleandforanepicrenditionofTheGreatGateofKievtoendthefirsthalf,theFoden’s‘symphonyorchestra’.

This year has beena trulymemorable one for the entire Foden’s team. Lookingon from theoutside,itispossibletoviewthemajorcontestingsuccessasjustoneoutcomeofanapproachtomusicmaking thatalsoembracesa strong teamethic,anambitiousartisticvision,andanappreciationofthevaluesbothofcreatingnewrepertoireandofmentoringthenextgenerationofbrassbandmusicians.

Foden’s Youth Band under Mark Bousie opened the second half of the celebration concert with four short items.Acinematic Fanfare for the Futureandamoreenigmatic Lament - Into theUnknownwerebothcomposedespeciallyfortheoccasionbyAndrewStevenson.

Review Manchester Cathedral

-PaulHindmarsh

Thebandmadeaterrificsound,easilyfillingthevastspace,andshowedinitsnextitem,WilliamsHimes’ever-popularversionofAmazingGrace,thatitcanalsoplaywithsomerefinementandsensitivityinaccompanyingJensLindemann’seffortlessobligato,whichfloatedacrossthebandfromhighupontheorganloft.Theband’sfinal item,Valero,belovedofyouthbandsupanddowntheland,broughtasmiletoeveryone’sfaceandanenthusiastic,well-deservedovation.

Thestagewassoonsetforthefinalandmostsubstantialworkoftheevening,thefirstperformanceofanewversionforbrassandvoicesbyPeterMeechan,oftheFauréRequiem.Hisbrassrealisationsoundedcompletelynaturalandunforced-morelikebrasschambermusic,withanorgan-likefundamental sonority, thanabrassband.Foden’s invitedtwo localchoirs to join themfor thisperformance-SandbachVoicesandUttoxeterChoralSociety.Twofineyoungsoloists,sopranoVictoriaBartonandlyricbaritoneDanielShelvey,arebothseniorstudentsfromtheRNCM.

A superbly controlled performance of HowardSnell’s evergreen transcription of Procession totheMinster, with a tumultuous closing fewbars-whatstaminaFoden’spossesses-providedanappropriatefinishandtheMarchTheChampionssent us away well satisfied musically andemotionally. Mark Wilkinson and Foden’s bandare to be congratulated for their enterprise instaging this celebration concert. I look forwardtoasequel!





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Foden’s Bandarepleased toannounce that thebands recent concert atManchesterCathedral featuring Foden’sBand,Foden’sYouthBand,JensLindemann,SandbachVoicesandtheUttoxeterChoralsocietyhasbeenrecordedforreleaseasaliveDVD.

The DVD will be released in January at a cost of £15 inc p&p

IfyouwouldliketoorderaDVDpleasecompletetheorderformbelowandreturntoMarkWilkinson,7NarbonneAvenue,Eccles,M309DL.

Please make cheques payable to Foden’s Band for the sum of £15



Other News Snippets

StreetsNamedFoden’swererecentlyhonouredwithahousingestatechoosingtoremembersomeofthegreatestnamesintheBandsillustrioushistory.ThenewhousingdevelopmentiscurrentlybeingbuiltontheformerFoden’sMotorWorkssitebyBarrattHomes,andwiththeco-operationofthebandandthelocalcouncil,ninenamesweresubmittedandapprovedbythelocalauthority,thePostOfficeandlocalpropertygazetteerstobeusedasaddressesforresidentswhowillbeginmovinginlaterthisyear.

Thenewstreetswillincorporate‘RimmerGrove’aswellas‘CossackWalk’,whilstRimmer’sgreatsuccessorasconductor,WilliamHalliwellwillalsobe remembered in ‘HalliwellCourt’. Three formerplayinggreatswillberemembered,with‘TeddyGrayAvenue’honouringoneofthegreatprincipalcornetplayersoftheband.

‘WebbClose’afterArthurWebbSnr,and‘ShergoldClose’,afterHubertShergold,commemoratetwolegendaryperformerswhoplayedforover40yearswiththeband,includingtheirgoldenperiodofNationalwinsatCrystalPalaceunderFredMortimer.

‘HarryMortimerWay’perhapsneedsnofurtherexplanation,whilst‘PeterFletcherCrescent’honourstheformerBandPresidentand‘Patron’sDrive’,recognisestheband’sworldwidegroupofsupporters.

Awards SeasonThe Band are proud to announce further success for the band as well as two ofourindividuals;FirstlyMarkBousiewasawardedtheMortimerMedalbytheWorshipfulCompanyofMusicianson1stSeptemberattheBritishOpenChampionships.TheawardrecognisesMark’soutstandingcontributiontoyouthbrassdevelopment,somethingwhichhehascontinuedonbehalfofFoden’s inrecentyears,recentlyconductingourfirsteverFoden’sYouthBrassBandrehearsalsandperformances.

Secondly,ourcomposerinresidence,AndyScotthasbeennominatedforaBritishComposersaward forhispiece ‘SpiritofMingus’,written forandperformedbyFoden’sBandatthe2012RoyalNorthernFestivalofBrass.Theawardsrecognisetoday’sfinestBritishComposersfromallgenresandtobenominatedisafantasticachievement,wewishAndyallthebestofluck! Finally,theBandhavearedelightedtohavebeenawardedCDoftheyear2012fromboth‘BritishBandsman’and‘BrassBandWorld’Magazines.Ourrecording‘Masquerade’receivedcriticalacclaimfromallreviewersandwearedelightedthattwoesteemedpublicationshaveseenfittoawardus these honours.



ConcertList2013




ConcertList2013

26January2013 RoyalNorthernCollegeofMusic7.30pm

1 February 2013 BirminghamConservatoire8pm8-10 February 2013 Armagh,NorthernIreland 16February2013 Dolgellau,Wales7.30pm19February2013 PatronsConcert7.30pm

10 March 2013 NorthWestAreaContest,WinterGardensBlackpool

21 April 2013 Sandbach Transport Parade11am

4May2013 UppermillCivicHallwithDobcrossYouthBand7.30pm12 May 2013 NorwichCathedral6pm18 May 2013 UniversityofSouthampton7.30pm19May2013 BedfordCornExchange7pm24May2013 WhitFridayMarchContest,TamesideVillages 25May2013 FallibroomeHighSchoolMacclesfield(withFoden’sYouthBand)7:30pm

6July2013 HallforCornwall,Truro7.30pm

7September2013 BritishOpenChampionships,SymphonyHallBirmingham

12 October 2013 NationalFinals,RoyalAlbertHallLondon 13 October 2013 VictoriaHallHanleywithAudleyMaleVoiceChoir7pm

2November2013 AnnualSoloCompetition,SandbachSchool16November2013 SageTheatreGateshead7:30pm17November2013 BrassInConcertChampionships,SageGateshead

15December2013 Sandbach School7:30pm

2013promisestobeanexcitingyear;theprospectofperformingalongsidetheBritishOpenShieldandNationalChampionshipTrophyissomethingwearealreadyenjoying,andIamsurethatnextyearwillbenodifferent!

Asalways,thefollowingeventsarelikelytobeaddedtoastheyearprogresses.Foruptotheminutedetails;visitourwebsitewww.fodensband.co.uk

The Patrons Associationwasformedtogenerateinterestinthebandandbrassmusicingeneral.Thebandistotallyselfsupportingandthepatronssocietyisanimportantrevenuestreamthatallowstheband to exist.

Membersareaskedtomakeaminimum donation of £18.Forthisdonationtheywillreceive:

• 2xFoden’s‘Fanfare’magazinesperyear.Thismagazinekeepsyouuptodatewith ConcertDates/venuesandotherinterestingarticlesaboutbandmembersand otherbandrelatedsubjects.

• TwofreeticketstothePatronsConcertheldeachyearintheband’shometownof Sandbach.TheonlymeansofentrytothisconcertiswiththeseticketsorifaPatron isunabletoattendtheconcerttheyhaveachoiceofafreeCDfromanapprovedlist.

• FromFebruary2011,discountsonmerchandiseandCD’s.

We also offer the option of “Lifetime Patronage” at a cost of £200.

IfyouwishtobecomeamemberofthePatronsAssociationpleasecompletetheformbelowandsend your donation to:

Foden’s Band Patrons Association, 7 Narbonne Avenue, Ellesmere Park, Manchester, M30 9DL

Enquiries-pleaseemailfodensband@coldmoss.co.ukChequesmadepayableto‘Foden Band’ - please do not send cash in the post.

UseGiftAidandyoucanmakeyourdonationworthmore.Foreverypoundyoudonate,wegetanextra28pencefromtheInlandRevenue.ToqualifyforGiftAid,whatyoupayinIncomeTaxorCapitalGainsTaxmustatleastequaltheamountwewillclaiminthetaxyear. Pleasetickgiftaidbox

Name:

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Please indicate whether you are a: NewMember ExistingMember

Donationamount:



Patrons AssociationMembershipApplicationForm





Foden’s Youth PatronsMembershipApplicationForm

Foden’s Youth Patrons was formed to encourage and foster support for the band amongst ouryoungersupporters.Membershipisopentoyoungpeopleupto,andincluding,theageof18.

Memberspayanannual subscription fee of £15.ForthisYouthPatronswillreceive:

• 2xFoden’s‘Fanfare’magazinesperyear,whichenablessupporterstokeepuptodatewithinformationandgossipabouttheband.ThiswillalsoincludeinformationabouttheYouthPatrons,thewebpageandfurtherdevelopments.

• Joininggift:choiceoft-shirt/mutebag/musicbag/waterbottle.• Certificateofmembership.• AutomaticentryintoquarterlydrawstohavealessonwithoneofFoden’sprincipalplayers.

TobecomeamemberoftheYouthPatronspleasefillinthisformandreturn,alongwithyourdonation,to:

Foden’s Youth Patrons, 4 Brookfield, Loggerheads, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 4RW

[email protected] call 01630673495Chequespayableto‘Foden’s Youth Patrons’ - please do not send cash in the post.

UsingGiftAidwillmakeyourdonationworthevenmore!Foreverypoundyoudonatetous,wereceiveanextra28pfromtheInlandRevenue.JustticktheGiftAidbox–it’sthatsimple!SothatwecanclaimGiftAidonyourdonationpleasecanaParent/Carertoprint&signtheirnamebelow.Thankyou! Pleasetickgiftaidbox

FirstName: Surname:

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WhichInstrumentdoyouplay?

Pleasechooseafreegift: T-Shirt MuteBag MusicBag WaterBottleChestsize(XS,S,M,L)

Parent/Carer’sname:

Parent/Carer’sSignature:



FanfareNewsletter of the Foden’s Patrons Society

January 2013


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fanfare - foden's band · hangovers as well as an appearance on ‘bbc 1 north west tonight’...

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