*
banner

Foden's Band

Featuring: Manx Youth Band & Manx Concert Brass
Conductor: Michael Fowles
Villa Marina Theatre
Douglas, Isle of Man
Saturday 15th July


Six years have passed since Foden’s Band last visited the Isle of Man, so, unsurprisingly, despite the wet squall outside the warmest of welcomes awaited them in a packed Villa Marina Theatre.

In an unusual reversal the massed bands took to the stage first under Michael Fowles – the ‘National Anthem’  followed by a rousing ‘Olympic Fanfare and Theme’  that acted as the prelude to Derek Broadbent’s ‘Manx Tales’.

Commissioned in 2020 by Manx Concert Brass (to celebrate their 25th anniversary), the Manx Youth Band (to celebrate their 50th) and the Isle of Man Arts Council, it was a evocative four-movement suite based on traditional folk tunes, played with passion and understanding. 

Rapid start

The rest of the first half belonged to the National Champion; a red blooded ‘Ruslan and Ludmilla’  getting things off to a rapid start. Richard Poole’s superb rendition of ‘Through the Eyes of Love’,  from the movie ‘Ice Castles’  was followed by Mark Wilkinson on ‘Glorious Ventures’  delivered with graceful virtuosity.  

Richard Poole’s superb rendition of ‘Through the Eyes of Love’,  from the movie ‘Ice Castles’  was followed by Mark Wilkinson on ‘Glorious Ventures’  delivered with graceful virtuosity.  

Contrast came with Eriks Esenvald’s, ‘Only in Sleep’,  with a tender lead by Melanie Whyle on flugel, before the Roman legions marched down Douglas High Street (they came over in the first century BC and stayed for 400 years) with ‘Pines of the Appian Way’  rounded things off.

More virtuosity and varied styles came after the break, with Samuel Hazo’s exciting ‘Rush’  and the coolest of xylophone cats in Mark Landon and Sam Iles on Zeb Confrey’s ‘Kitten on the Keys’. 

Robin Hood

The band’s clever 'Robin Hood'  inspired Brass in Concert programme provided a highly enjoyable series of vignettes to close – from the partygoing ‘Merry Men’  to the tender Bryan Adams ‘Everything I Do, I Do It For You’  Robin and Marion duet and the gloriously OTT baddie that was Gary Curtin stealing the show like a latter day Alan Rickman on ‘Cruel Summer’.

It was great pantomime fun played with serious intent – the return of Richard the Lionheart, with hints of MGM inspired scores of cinematic old, drawing things to a close before George Marshall’s Salvationist march ‘Spirit of Praise’  and Howard Snell’s arrangement of ‘Ellan Vannin’  were the classiest of encores.  

Let’s hope it won’t be another six years before Foden’s returns.

Matt Haws

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


Haverhill Silver Band

July 13 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a SECOND HORN. This is a superb opportunity to join East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


Ilkeston Brass

July 11 • We are looking for additional cornet players to join us – positions negotiable! Ilkeston Brass is a friendly 4th section band with a long history based in the SE of Derbyshire.


Olney Brass

July 11 • OLNEY BRASS currently seeking a talented player to fill the following vacancy, in order to strengthen their line up: Eb BASS. We're an ambitious and friendly 2nd section band, with a variety of contests, concerts & community events annually.


Sarah Groarke-Booth

BA (Hons) MA
Conductor, Adjudicator, Compere, Actor


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd