Sandbach School was the welcoming venue for the Foden's Solo, Duet & Quartet competition, with the sixth event attracting performers of all ages, levels and nationalities.

Now regarded as the leading competition of its type in the UK, this year the international flavour was enhanced by players from across the banding world — from a few miles away in Manchester to Cyprus and even China.

Support

The event once again attracted the support of a number of high profile sponsors with Besson Musical Instruments represented by Tim Barratt and invaluable additional support coming from Band Supplies, Creative Brass, Astute Music, John Needham and B# sharp.

Over 100 competitors placed their music on the stands emblazoned with the banners of their famous hosts with first performing on the stroke of 10.00am, and the last playing at around 7.00pm.

Great music

There was plenty of great music making on show for a supportive audience made up of family members, fellow players and even a few banding scouts, helped along by the Foden's players who acted as stewards, time keepers, traffic controllers and even cooks and bottle washers!

With a bumper entry of 27 players, the attraction and prestige of the Blue Riband 'Open Solo' event was obvious — as was the superb standard of playing, led by the eventually winner Lode Violet, principal cornet of Belgian Championship outfit Brassband Willebroek.

Solo reward

Foden's Artistic Director Maestro Bramwell Tovey will now write a solo piece for Lode to be performed alongside Foden's at the 2017 Royal Northern College of Music Festival of Brass in 2017 by kind permission of its Artistic Director, Paul Hindmarsh.

Thanks

Foden's spokesperson Fiona Rolfe told 4BR: "Our thanks go to the adjudicators Tom Hutchinson, Mike Fowles, John Barber, Mark Wilkinson and Andy Scott who had such a tough but enjoyable task throughout the day. Mike in particular had the daunting task of choosing winners in the Open Slow Melody and Open Air Varie."

Fiona added: "The Foden's contest has become such a highly regarded event which is attracting many of the very best players around, thanks to the wonderful support of our sponsors and to the hard work of the Foden's players themselves.

We are delighted to support the brass band movement in this way, and to encourage, develop and celebrate the talent that was on show in every section."

11 to vintage

That talent was certainly on display throughout the day — from Amelia Stuart who won the 11 & Under Slow Melody to Paul Bennett who won the new 'Vintage' Slow Melody class!

The date for the 2017 event will be announced in due course.

We are delighted to support the brass band movement in this way, and to encourage, develop and celebrate the talent that was on show in every sectionFiona Rolfe

Results:

Class 1: 11 & Under Slow Melody:

Helen Stewart Memorial Quaich plus £100 Band Supplies voucher

1. Amelia Stuart
2. Lewis Barton
3. Simon Binon

Class 2: 12 & 13 Slow Melody:

Diamond Jubilee Trophy plus £100 Band Supplies voucher

1. Adam Warburton
2. Hannah Taylor
3. Rory MacLeod

Class 3: 14 to 16 Slow Melody

B and G J Birch Memorial Cup plus £100 Band Supplies voucher

1. Owain Llestyn
2. Archie McVicar
3. Lewis Topping

Class 4: 17 to 19 Slow Melody

Bryan Tait Trophy plus £100 Band Supplies voucher

1. Gemma Riley
2. Zoe Wright
3. Kirsten MacDonald

Class 5: Vintage Slow Melody

Lyndon Baglin Trophy

1. Paul Bennett
2. Murray Borthwick
3. Patricia Woodings

Class 6: Open Slow Melody

Mark Wilkinson Trophy

1. Lode Violet
2. Paul Bennett
3. Kevin Van Giel

Class 7: Under 16 Air Varie

Granville Jennings Trophy

1. Owain Llestyn
2. Archie McVicar
3. Lewis Barton

Class 8: 16 to 21 Air Varie

Louise Charles Memorial Trophy

1. Isobel Daws
2. Liv Appleton
3. Seth Livingstone

Class 9: Vintage Air Varie

Bramwell Tovey Award

1. Paul Bennett
2. Murray Borthwick
3. Patricia Wildings

Class 10: Open Air Varie

Peter Fletcher President's Trophy

1. Lode Violet
2. Kevin Van Giel
3. Isobel Daws

Class 11: 11 and Under Duet

Roy Alcock Prize

1. Annie and Amelia Stuart
2. Emil and Florien Rogsaeter
3. Ruby and Kitty Hawker

Class 12: 12 to 16 Duet

George Rolfe Memorial Cup plus £100 Band Supplies voucher

1. Simon and Martijn Binon
2. Hannah Taylor and Bethany Harby
3. Music Girls

Class 13: Open Duet

Sandbach Boys School Trophy

1. Stephen Lomas and Daniel Brooks
2. Trombonium
3. Vincent Tan and Adam Bokaris

Class 15: 12- 16 Quartet

Foden's Annual Award

1. The Purple Ladies
2. Llantastic Four
3. Nordly's Kvartet (Northern Lights)

Class 16: Open Quartet

Foden Challenge Trophy

1. Lutece (PBB)
2. In Slide Out
3. Bury Brass

Special Trophies:

Best Local Player: Sandbach Town Council Trophy — Amelia Stuart
Outstanding Performances of the Day: Flowcrete Trophy — Lode Violet
Most Outstanding Player 12-15: Christie Smith
Most Outstanding Cornet Player: Lewis Barton
Most Outstanding Horn Player: Kirsten McDonald
Most Outstanding Euphonium Player: Glyn Williams Trophy — Kevin Van Geil
Most Outstanding Trombone Player: Adam Warburton
Most Outstanding Bass Player: Archie McVicar
Youngest Player in the Competition: Florien Krogseaeter (aged 8)