*
banner

Why Foden's won..

The judge's written remarks show that Russell Gray and Foden's ticked all the boxes with their world class performance...

Fodens
  This is what the three judge's thought about Foden's performance...

Foden's

Effective introduction and fine ensemble.

A — Terrific balance — most impressive. Fine Eb Bass. MD shapes with care to B, already so much quality!

C — Packed full of energy and musical lines. You play with so much authority. F — transition is played with ease.

G — is played gracefully — all soloists deliver, the balance is quite superb throughout.

H — Wonderful colours aided by percussion. Silky trom around I — what a great lilt to the music. Euph is impressive.

Everyone one has done their bit brilliantly. J — So much detail and clarity. L — Fine back row. 210 — Bass trom is brilliant.

M — such balance, sostenuto is shaped with great care. This is wonderful, everything in place and played with meaning.

251 — not quite in tune. O — pp — thank you.

P — Great tempo, you play with such energy. Q — Lots of colour, the first of the day.

S — Fugue works, this ticks along perfectly, you are on auto-pilot. T — A moment of absolute calm before you take off at Z — to a most commanding close!

A near faultless performance of impressive stature. Thank you all.

Paul Holland


A good unison start and it has quality from the off. Cornets overdo the accents, but it winds effectively.

Super statement of the theme in troms and it all fits so well. Bar 40 has balance issues but dynamics are effective and perc adds colour.

Ensemble loses a little clarity in Var 1 but it has drive and energy. Super solo cornet and expressive lines with a well balanced cornet section. F is suave and sophisticated with jut the odd blip. H — timp not quite in time.

Tasteful solo trombone, although it is not entirely together here. Delicate playing to close including
Var 3 sets off with vigour and it all links together so well. Super bass trom.

M — the slightest insecurity but a well shaped theme. ff is so well sustained although the Passionate is overblown in baritones. Good cornet line and super top Ds, but 249 is weaker.

A pp — thank you! Super link in dim to P. The technique is breathtaking and it all links so well. The fugue lines were clear and virtuosic and all well matched. It winds down effectively but minor blemishes do occur and sop/trom tuning was not perfect. A blistering close though with impressive control and stamina.

So much musicality here and a fantastic array of soloists and technique. Some minor moments of unease but a performance that lit the place up.

Alan Morrison

What an exciting — absolutely world class performance. Ticking all the boxes for me todayLuc Vertommen


Great style in the gong —

A — perfect style and balance — wonderfully crafted by the MD!

Refined way of music making this is.

75 on lots of energy -

F — world class cornet player — great stylish playing all around the band.

G — great depth Bb bass! Classy trombone even on this simple bar. (128), this sings so well and full of musical passion.

I — magic! Sheer beauty here — bravo for all soloists

Toccato J = Razor sharp precision — so detailed and controlled — 210 — bravo bass trombone!!

Handel would have been proud being associated with this band — pure magic in the slow music, finally a band that plays passionately! (the exclamation mark covered two lines here — editor)

241 — 253 tuning cornets. 247 — just that first note intonation

[Huge power — best bass end. Me principal cornet/trombone = gold plated gold]

O — great pianissimo 'on my word'(sic) — world class dynamics

P — nearly perfect tuba line — so detailed here — control and excitement all over the place.

What an exciting — absolutely world class performance. Ticking all the boxes for me today.

Bravo MD and every member of this excellent team.

Luc Vertommen

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


UK Music sURBEY

UK Music launches annual survey

April 29 • Musicians and organisations urged to complete annual survey to help create an accurate assessment of the value of the UK music sector.


Flowers

Flowers to target World title in 2026

April 29 • The National Champion will look to become World Champion in Kerkrade next year.


Regent Brass

40th anniversary celebrations for Regent Brass

April 29 • Great memories of a pioneering band were recalled in a get together concert for former players of Brent Youth Band and Regent Brass.


Opera

WNO musicians vote to accept new agreement

April 29 • The orchestral member of Welsh National Opera have voted to a new agreement to protect their full time future.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 4 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Friday 9 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Contest: European Brass Band Championshiips

Saturday 10 May • Konzerthaus, SandvigÃ¥ 1, 4007 Stavanger, Norway


Contest: 103rd Spring Festival

Saturday 10 May • Winter Gardens Complex, Church Street, Blackpool. . FY1 1HU


The Hepworth Band - Albie Sugden Foundation Charity Concert

Saturday 24 May • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


wantage silver band

April 29 • A friendly and ambitious first section band, Wantage Concert Brass are looking for an experienced and dedicated MUSICAL DIRECTOR to help drive the band's continued growth and development, building on their best result to date at the recent area contest.


wantage silver band

April 29 • Wantage Concert Brass have a Bb BASS vacancy - the perfect opportunity to join their band! The band compete in the FIRST SECTION and have a sensible schedule of engagements, concerts and contests throughout the year.


wantage silver band

April 29 • Wantage Concert Brass are looking for a TROMBONE and BASS TROMBONE player - the perfect opportunity to join their band! The band compete in the FIRST SECTION and have a sensible schedule of engagements, concerts and contests throughout the year.


Jenny Gartside

Bsc Hons
Jeweller, brass band themed jewellery and pin badges


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd