With opportunities to perform in public now severely curtained due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Foden's Band has come up with an inventive initiative to inspire players.

They have launched their new online 'Brass Music Festival' which will run until the 12th April.

Brass and percussion players from all corners of the banding globe are invited to record themselves in performance of a solo or feature piece for the special Facebook competition.

Two categories

The festival has two categories: An Open Performance & Slow Melody Solo Competition with musicians of all ages encouraged to post pieces for either category. There is no time limit.

Foden's Band Manager, principal cornet and Association of Brass Band Adjudicators member, Mark Wilkinson will judge the entries in the Slow Melody Solo Competition, which is open to anyone aged 18 and over. The winner will be given the opportunity to play in concert with the band when the banding world gets back to normality in the future.

Anyone can post their solo playing in the non-competitive 'Open Performance' category which will not be judged, but will instead be a showcase for the enjoyment of playing.

Anyone under the age of 18 must show that they have parental consent to do this.

All players need to do for both sections is to upload a recording of themselves to the Foden's Facebook page, telling about themselves, the band they play in and where they liveFoden's Band

Upload a recording

Mark Wilkinson told 4BR: "All players need to do for both sections is to upload a recording of themselves to the Foden's Facebook page, telling about themselves, the band they play in and where they live. If competitors are aged 18 and over they should state clearly that they wish to be judged in the slow melody category."

He added: "We wish this to be fun to take part in — so we ask people to treat it that way. It's a showcase for talent and to pit your playing talents against others. We look forward to hearing the entries!"