*
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    


wobplay

New ownership announced for World of Brass, Wobplay and World of Sound

July 1 • The trio of leading brass band music brands have been bought as an independent business by Adam Goldsmith and Nicki Tonge.


Spring Festival

Venues and dates for 2027 & 2028 Spring Festival announced

July 1 • Town Hall Birmingham and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire will host the 2027 and 2028 British Open Spring Festival contests as long term plans are put in place following feedback.


Cory

Cory set for Tibetan title challenge in Kerkrade

June 30 • The Welsh champion will head to the World Music Contest armed with a third adventure of Tintin courtesy of the pseudonym inspired Paul Raphael.


Score

Kapitol looking for York judges...

June 30 • Kapitol Promotions and the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators are looking for people to start their judging journey in York in September.


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Thursday 2 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Air Force Squadronaires

Friday 3 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Brass - Living Lines

Sunday 5 July • St Saviour's, Pimlico, St.George's Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 3QW


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 5 July • St Alfege Church . Greenwich Church Street. London SE10 9BJ


Regent Brass - Brass on the Grass

Wednesday 22 July • The College Garden, Westminster Abbey, Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA


Cambrian Brass

June 29 • We are always happy to hear from anyone interested in joining our friendly, supportive band - whether you are returning to banding, looking for a new challenge, or moving to Aberystwyth for university.


Hucknall and Linby Mining Community Brass Band

June 29 • PERCUSSIONIST: DRUM KIT - Nottinghamshire based 1st section band. We are a youthful, welcoming band and would love to hear from you. We rehearse Thursday evenings and have a well balanced schedule of concerts and competitions.


Marconi Brass

June 29 • Marconi Brass are looking for a Bb Bass to join our friendly, ambitious brass band. Currently in the 2nd Section, working towards promotion to the 1st section under our new Musical Director, Jonathan Crowhurst. We have a busy calendar of events..


Gary Davies


Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd