*
banner

Foden's to host Withington Conducting Course

Foden's Band will be the welcoming hosts of the ever inventive Allan Withington Conductors Summer School...

Allan Withingon
 

Allan Withington’s ever inventive annual Conductors Summer School will this year take place in Sandbach in Cheshire.

After five highly successful years based in Leeuwarden in Holland, Allan has decided to take the course ‘on tour’ and will see the delegates based in one of the most towns in the banding world.

Hosts

The Foden’s Band will be the fully committed hosts along with the Roberts Bakery Band, with the local Sandbach Boys School providing excellent facilities for the week’s course.

The week will culminate with a concert which will involve each student conducting Foden’s Band at Sandbach Boys School with a typically ‘Withingtonesque’ inspired theme — 'Poms at the School', which will be a celebration of great British music.

The final concert will also feature the winning entry in Foden’s newly announced Composer Competition.

Themes explored

That theme will also be fully explored in lectures and workshops throughout the course – based at the Bears Head, a vintage Inn on the outskirts of Sandbach, which dates back to 1614.

Psychology

However, a very 21st century approach to conducting will see lectures given by Danish media expert, Mette Højen, on the role of the conductor in leadership and the psychology of musical communication.

Allan told 4BR: "It was the ideal time to take the course on tour so to speak – and I could think of no better host than Foden’s.

Once again we will be offering delegates an unique conducting experience — and one that aims to enhance their all round musicianship.

It’s hard work, plenty of fun and offers the opportunity to work with world class musicians. I’m really looking forward to it – and to meeting many new, eager conductors."

Once again we will be offering delegates an unique conducting experience — and one that aims to enhance their all round musicianshipAllan Withington

Places and info

As always, places on the course are eagerly sought after, with interest from Europe and beyond from musicians looking to learn more about the art of conducting.

Course details:

June 28th – July 3rd 2014
Final Gala concert at Sandbach Boy’s School, July 3rd, 7.00pm.

Course fee is £450, which includes all tuition, accommodation, food and transport to and from Manchester airport where necessary.

Although all students are encouraged to be residential, different rates may apply in other circumstances.

Contact:

For more details please contact:

Allan Withington 004792253220
Mark Wilkinson 07740 354106
allanwithington@yahoo.no
marklwilky@hotmail.com

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 .


Ian Holmes

BA (hons), PGDip (RCM), ARCM, ALCM
Conductor, piano accompanist and educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd