*
banner

Foden's set to close!

Make sure you get your entry in for the 3rd Foden's Solo, Duet & Quartet Contest, as the brilliant prizes on offer may go to someone else instead!

Fodens
 

The closing date for the 3rd Foden's Solo, Duet & Quartet contest on the 2nd November at Sandbach School in Cheshire has been announced.

Entry date

Entries must be in by the 29th September if performers are to have the chance to join the ever growing number of players who now take part in the event.

This year sees the addition of new percussion classes and even more prizes to be won in each of the 13 classes thanks to sponsor partners Besson Musical Instruments and Audi Macclesfield.

International flavour

The international flavour of the day sees Besson artistes Alexis Demailly (principal cornet of Paris Brass) and Mike Dodd (principal euphonium of Grimethorpe) join Foden's Mark Wilkinson and Mark Landon as the panel of judges.

The innovative partnership with the RNCM in Manchester will also enable a number of students to sit in with the judges to gain invaluable adjudication experience.

International travel

Through the generosity of Besson Musical Instruments, the winner of the Blue Riband ‘Open Air-Varie’ class will win an international trip to feature either with a band as a soloist, or to compete in an overseas solo competition.

Meanwhile, the winner of the 16-21 Air-Varie class will get a new work written for them by talented young composer Lee Morris.

Record entry

Contest organiser Fiona Rolfe told 4BR: "We are looking forward to another great day and hope to attract a record entry.

The excellent facilities at Sandbach School enable us to comfortably accommodate over 180 players and supporters, so please enter or come along and support everyone taking part."

The excellent facilities at Sandbach School enable us to comfortably accommodate over 180 players and supporters, so please enter or come along and support everyone taking partFiona Rolfe

Wonderful facilities

Fiona added: "We are able to provide wonderful accompanists, brilliant prizes and the usual friendly atmosphere and encouragement to all competitors regardless of age or standard. We just want everyone to enjoy a great day of music making."

Entry forms are available from fiona-rolfe@hotmail.co.uk

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    


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.


gLYN AND hLEN

Busy January enjoyment for Williams duo

February 4 • Glyn and Helen Williams have enjoyed a busy start to 2026.


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


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.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


James McLeod

BMus (hons)
Euphonium Soloist, Teacher and Conductor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd