At the invitation of the Williams family, Foden’s Band recently gave a workshop and concert for the third consecutive year in Dolgellau in North Wales.

Over 60 players

Held at Ysgol y Gader, over 60 local players, both young and young at heart, were invited to work with Foden’s stars led by Glyn Williams.

They spent the afternoon in full band and sectional rehearsals working on three pieces that would be the start to the second half of the evening concert under Glyn’s guidance.

Marching paces

Helen Williams, Mark Landon, Mark Wilkinson and Andy Rolfe also helped take the players through the basics of band playing, working on the march ‘Westwood Ho!’ and accompanying Foden’s Principal Cornet Mark Wilkinson in ‘Macushla’, and the upbeat ‘Malaguena’.

Concert

In the concert Foden’s was directed by local guest conductor Gwyn Evans, whilst the soloists delighted the full hall– Helen Williams with, ‘Eyes of a Child’, Lesley Howie with ‘The Piper of Dundee’, Glyn Williams with ‘Catari, Catari’ and Mark Landon with ‘Hittin em’ Up’. The band also played their part in full with music especially chosen for the youngsters in the audience such as ‘A Disney Fantasy’ and ‘Batman’.

Foden’s would like to thank the Williams family for their hospitality for what has now become an annual event and is part of our Youth training policyFoden's Band

Tour de Force

The tour de force of the concert was undoubtedly the final two movements of 'Suite Gothique’ that really showed off a Foden’s band firing on all cylinders!

A spokesperson for the band told 4BR: "Foden’s would like to thank the Williams family for their hospitality for what has now become an annual event and is part of our Youth training policy."