*
banner

Major Arts Council award for Foden's.

Foden's gain a huge artistic boost with major award from Arts Council England.

Arts Council
 

Foden's Band has enjoyed a huge boost to their future musical plans after it was announced that they have secured a major award from Arts Council England through its 'Grants for the Arts' funding stream.

The grant, using public funding by Arts Council England, is worth £31,020 towards a total project cost of £84,534, and will support the band's three-year strategic music and audience development plan.

Youth Festival

4BR understands that it will help develop an annual weekend Foden's Youth Festival each year, as well as further develop Foden's website through targeted player development videos to support young performers.

It will also be utilised to promote a concert and workshop with the famous Wallace Collection ensemble as guest artists, and to promote a joint concert with the world famous orchestral Superbrass ensemble.

Commissions

Foden's Band will also commission composers, Derek Bourgeois and Andy Scott to write a brace of major commissions suitable as test-pieces, which will also be premiered at two key events. The commissions will be recorded on CD as part of the project.

Derek's work will celebrate the band's historic 'Double Hat-trick' of National Championship victories from 1932-34 and again from 1936-38, whilst Andy will commemorate the centenary of the death of the remarkable Foden's principal cornet player Edwin Firth, who was killed during the First World War in 1918, aged 29, whilst serving in France.

The grant, using public funding by Arts Council England, is worth £31,020 towards a total project cost of £84,534, and will support the band's three-year strategic music and audience development plan4BR

Develop audiences

Further funding will also be used to help develop audiences by enhancing the band's overall management structure.

Band Manager Mark Wilkinson told 4BR: "This couldn't have come at a better time following the recent devastating fire. A lot of work has been put into the funding application to deliver on the outstanding project ideas."

Strengthening

He added: "We are very excited about the award and we are looking forward to working with such renowned talent as the Wallace Collection, Superbrass, Derek Bourgeois and Andy Scott, as well as further strengthening our connections with youth development which are already critically acclaimed and recognised for their excellence."

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    


Trevor Austin

Death of Trevor Austin

July 2 • The death has been announced of the hugely respected founder of Rosehill Instruments Ltd.


St Ronan

All inclusive course on offer at St Ronan's

July 2 • The St. Ronan's Band Camp course takes place next month — and inclusive and free.


Mark Glover

Glover makes mark in Valencia

July 2 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band solo euphonium Mark Glover was a guest artist at the recent International Tuba and Euphonium Conference in Spain.


Radio

Radio: Touch of Brass

July 2 • More great brass music over the airwaves with Martin Upfold and Julie Hedge.


Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


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


Linthwaite Band

July 1 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting band with various engagements throughout the year, and currently have a vacancy for a cornet player (position negotiable) and are keen to fill the position. Please see contact details below.


Newport Borough Brass Band

July 1 • We are inviting applications for the position of Principal Cornet. . Would you like to be a part of the process to lead & shape the future of the band? Newport Borough Brass Band are looking for a dynamic Principal Cornet player to lead the team.


Newport Borough Brass Band

July 1 • We are inviting applications for the position of Musical Director.. The band are looking for a positive and dynamic leader who can further develop our players skills & aid us in our aspirations of reaching the 1st section.


Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd