*
banner

Foden's to host non-competitive youth festival

Foden's commitment to youth development sees a new non-competitive youth festival to add to their strategic plans

fODENS
  Foden's continues to be fully committed to youth development with a series of initiatives

Foden's Band will hold a non-competitive Youth Festival in Sandbach on 28th October.

It has already attracted five bands to perform 30-minute programme of their choice, whilst also enjoying the benefit of receiving masterclass tuition from some of Foden's star players, and take part in a closing gala concert with the North West champions.

The initiative forms another strand of Foden's far reaching 'Youth Development Plan', and promises to be an exciting day of tuition and talent (starting at 10.00pm and finishing at 5.00pm) with written feedback given to each band to help them with their on-going development.

Commitment

Speaking about the forthcoming event Band Manager Mark Wilkinson told 4BR: "Foden's is fully focused on youth development and this event forms part of our expanding youth development commitment as part of our three year 'Strategic Music and Audience Development Plan'.

Due to the costs involved in putting on a large scale event we are currently looking for an event sponsor and trade stand support, with further details will be announced in due course."

If any companies would be interested in providing a trade stand or advertising they are asked to contact Mark Wilkinson at: marklwilky@hotmail.com

The initiative forms another strand of Foden's far reaching 'Youth Development Plan', and promises to be an exciting day of tuition and talent with written feedback given to each band to help them with their on-going development4BR

Solo contest video

Meanwhile, the band's innovative promotional approach has seen them launch video outlining what they 8th annual Solo Contest day to be held on 3rd November will have in store — including the identities of the judges.

The closing date for entries is the 5th October — so you haven't got long.

Go to: https://youtu.be/TXWFJ9n5OtA

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    


eikanger

Results: 2026 Norwegian National Championships

February 7 • Eikanger Bjorsvik reclaims the Norwegian National title in Bergen as section victories go to Rong Brass, Agder Brass, Evanger Musikklag, Skeie Brass and Langhus Brass.


Norwegian Championships

Final musical touches being put in their Bergen place

February 4 • 80 will be putting their own-choice and set-work pieces under final scrutiny ahead of the Norwegian National Championships this weekend.


Jamie Smith

Smith looking forward to Japanese tour

February 4 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band principal cornet Jamie Smith will head to Japan for a performance tour this Easter.


East Midlands

New march and hymn contest to fill gap in East Midlands

February 4 • A brand new event will take on 13th June at the Braybrooke Brewery and Taproom, North Northamptonshire.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Phoenix Band Wakefield

February 8 • Required: B Flat and E Flat Bass players.. A friendly, welcoming, non competing community band in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. We enjoy entertaining and making music. Our MD is Mark Bray. Rehearsals on Fridays 7 - 8.30 at Manygates Centre, Wakefield,WF2 7DQ


Welwyn Garden City Band

February 5 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


David A. Stowell


Conductor and composer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd