*
banner

Foden's, Foden's Youth and Foden's Junior Bands

Conductors: David Hirst, Mark Bousie, Melanie Whyle
Parr Hall
Warrington
Sunday 11th June

For the second year the increasingly burgeoning forces of the Foden’s Band organisation performed a matinee concert in the beautiful acoustic of Warrington’s Parr Hall.

An appreciative audience enjoyed the occasion, with the senior outfit mint-fresh from yet another successful Whit Friday outing the previous night under the baton of guest conductor, David Hirst.

Muse

The opened proceedings with ‘Supremacy’, a recent transcription from the repertoire of rock group ‘Muse’, before moving stylishly through numbers by Lionel Ritchie, Dmitri Shostakovich and Wilfred Heaton before finishing in sonorous fashion with Eric Ball’s magnificent, ‘The Kingdom Triumphant’. 

In between came expertly delivered solos by Mark Wilkinson (‘I Dreamed a Dream’) and Mark Landon (‘Xylomania’). The encore of ‘Toccata in D Minor’ was well deserved - although you suspect that after its Whit Friday exertions the players were glad to finally get a rest!

Youthful talents

The second half was dedicated to the talents of the Foden’s Youth and Junior Bands.

The 60-strong Foden’s Youth Band (in association with the Love Music Trust), is now in its fifth season and was conducted by co-MD Mark Bousie. They started the second half in spectacular fashion with Jonathan Bates’ arrangement of ‘Olympiada’ by Samuel Hazo.

The rest of their set was dedicated to the late Goff Richards. The energetic ‘Doyen’ was given a welcome revival and was followed by solo euphonium Gary Curtin, as he soared the heights on ‘Pilatus’, neatly accompanied by the band.

They then ended in fine style with the classic arrangement of the hymn tune ‘Crimond’, excellently led, as throughout, by principal cornet Georgina Moulsdale.

Final treat

The final treat came with Foden’s Junior Band, formed in 2015, and run in association with the Warrington based Accent Music Education Hub. Its 25 members gave a wonderfully entertaining set showing just how far they have progressed in a short space of time. 

In the absence of regular MD, Anna Hughes-Williams, they were ably led by Foden’s flugel player, Melanie Whyle in a programme that included ‘The Circle of Life’ from ‘The Lion King’ (complete with costume and choreography) and the Queen classic ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’.

Wonderful opportunities

To conclude, over 100 players from all three ensembles filled the superb acoustic with a sound that only massed brass bands can produce in Dizzy Stratford’s ‘Glasnost’. 

It concluded an exhibition of how the whole Foden’s organisation continues to go from strength to strength by offering young musicians simply wonderful musical opportunities.

Mark Cattop

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


The Hepworth Band - A Summer Proms Concert

Sunday 20 July • Hepworth United Sports Club, Far Lane, Hepworth, Holmfirth. HD9 1RN


Petworth Town Band - Ebernoe Horn Fair

Friday 25 July • Ebernoe Cricket Ground GU28 9LD


Petworth Town Band - Dorset House School Fete

Saturday 26 July • Dorset House School RH20 1PB


Olney Brass

July 10 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking a talented players to fill the following vacancies, in order to strengthen their line up: SOLO CORNETS. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


Olney Brass

July 10 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking a talented player to fill the following vacancy, in order to strengthen their line up: FLUGELHORN. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


Olney Brass

July 10 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking a talented . player to fill the following vacancy, in order . to strengthen their line up: SOPRANO CORNET. . We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section . band, with a variety of contests, concerts & . community events annually.


Kevin Wadsworth


Conductor, adjudicator, teacher (ABBA)


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd