Foden's Band has announced that Prof Nicholas Childs will conduct them at the 2016 North West Area Championship in Blackpool in February.

It will see the Black Dyke Director of Music return to the contest stage with the Sandbach outfit, where he was MD from 1997, for the first time since May 2000 when he made his final appearance with them at the All England Masters.

Success

During his tenure as Musical Director at Foden's the Welshman led them to the 1999 National title, as well as a trio of North West Regional victories and success at the Brass in Concert Championship, French Open and Harry Ramsden entertainment event — the richest contest in the banding calendar at the time. He was appointed Director of Music at Black Dyke in June 2000.

Extremely pleased

Speaking about the appointment Band Manager Mark Wilkinson told 4BR: "We are extremely pleased to announce that Prof Childs has agreed to direct Foden's at the North West Area Championship in February.

This will be the first time that he will have conducted Foden's in a contest since May 2000 to take over his current position with Black Dyke.

During his time as MD the band became National Champion for the first time since 1958 as well as winning consecutive North West Area titles alongside Brass in Concert, French Open and Harry Ramsden successes."

We are extremely pleased to announce that Prof Childs has agreed to direct Foden's at the North West Area Championship in FebruaryFoden's Band Manager, Mark Wilkinson

Appointment

It is understood that Foden's will issue a separate release in due course as to the appointment of their new professional Musical Director.