Foden's Band will make a welcome return to the historic Crewe Lyceum on Sunday 28th August — renewing a musical connection with the venue that stretches back over 100 years.

In fact, Foden's are the only brass band to have appeared at the original Alfred Darbyshire designed Lyceum as well as its 'New Theatre' incarnation built in 1911.

British Open success

The band's inaugural appearance under the baton of Edward Wormald was on the 19th September 1909 when they presented a brace of concerts just two weeks after celebrating their first victory at the Belle View September contest — more commonly known as the British Open.

A few months later the Lyceum burnt to the ground, but Foden's soon returned to give concerts in 1911 as well as in the First World War years of 1915, 1916 and 1917, when one of the featured soloists was the incomparable principal cornet star Edwin Firth. Firth was later killed in action in France in June 1918.

Memories

Speaking about the forthcoming concert appearance, current principal cornet Mark Wilkinson told 4BR: "We are delighted to once again return to a concert venue that holds such wonderful as well as poignant memories of history for the band.

The historical connection between us is amazing and we hope that we can once again thrill and delight the audience here as we have done on every visit going back to 1909."

We are delighted to once again return to a concert venue that holds such wonderful as well as poignant memories of history for the bandMark Wilkinson

Programme

Mark revealed that the programme for the concert is entitled 'Stage and Screen' and includes popular classics as well as a number of star soloists before concluding with a Last Night of the Proms' set.

The concert starts at 2.30pm and tickets can be purchased via 01270 368 242 with discounts for group bookings.