*
banner

Why Foden's won..

The judge's written remarks show that Russell Gray and Foden's ticked all the boxes with their world class performance...

Fodens
  This is what the three judge's thought about Foden's performance...

Foden's

Effective introduction and fine ensemble.

A — Terrific balance — most impressive. Fine Eb Bass. MD shapes with care to B, already so much quality!

C — Packed full of energy and musical lines. You play with so much authority. F — transition is played with ease.

G — is played gracefully — all soloists deliver, the balance is quite superb throughout.

H — Wonderful colours aided by percussion. Silky trom around I — what a great lilt to the music. Euph is impressive.

Everyone one has done their bit brilliantly. J — So much detail and clarity. L — Fine back row. 210 — Bass trom is brilliant.

M — such balance, sostenuto is shaped with great care. This is wonderful, everything in place and played with meaning.

251 — not quite in tune. O — pp — thank you.

P — Great tempo, you play with such energy. Q — Lots of colour, the first of the day.

S — Fugue works, this ticks along perfectly, you are on auto-pilot. T — A moment of absolute calm before you take off at Z — to a most commanding close!

A near faultless performance of impressive stature. Thank you all.

Paul Holland


A good unison start and it has quality from the off. Cornets overdo the accents, but it winds effectively.

Super statement of the theme in troms and it all fits so well. Bar 40 has balance issues but dynamics are effective and perc adds colour.

Ensemble loses a little clarity in Var 1 but it has drive and energy. Super solo cornet and expressive lines with a well balanced cornet section. F is suave and sophisticated with jut the odd blip. H — timp not quite in time.

Tasteful solo trombone, although it is not entirely together here. Delicate playing to close including
Var 3 sets off with vigour and it all links together so well. Super bass trom.

M — the slightest insecurity but a well shaped theme. ff is so well sustained although the Passionate is overblown in baritones. Good cornet line and super top Ds, but 249 is weaker.

A pp — thank you! Super link in dim to P. The technique is breathtaking and it all links so well. The fugue lines were clear and virtuosic and all well matched. It winds down effectively but minor blemishes do occur and sop/trom tuning was not perfect. A blistering close though with impressive control and stamina.

So much musicality here and a fantastic array of soloists and technique. Some minor moments of unease but a performance that lit the place up.

Alan Morrison

What an exciting — absolutely world class performance. Ticking all the boxes for me todayLuc Vertommen


Great style in the gong —

A — perfect style and balance — wonderfully crafted by the MD!

Refined way of music making this is.

75 on lots of energy -

F — world class cornet player — great stylish playing all around the band.

G — great depth Bb bass! Classy trombone even on this simple bar. (128), this sings so well and full of musical passion.

I — magic! Sheer beauty here — bravo for all soloists

Toccato J = Razor sharp precision — so detailed and controlled — 210 — bravo bass trombone!!

Handel would have been proud being associated with this band — pure magic in the slow music, finally a band that plays passionately! (the exclamation mark covered two lines here — editor)

241 — 253 tuning cornets. 247 — just that first note intonation

[Huge power — best bass end. Me principal cornet/trombone = gold plated gold]

O — great pianissimo 'on my word'(sic) — world class dynamics

P — nearly perfect tuba line — so detailed here — control and excitement all over the place.

What an exciting — absolutely world class performance. Ticking all the boxes for me today.

Bravo MD and every member of this excellent team.

Luc Vertommen

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    


Foden's Band

Report & Result: 2026 British Open Championship

September 12 • Foden's led by Russell Gray claim the 172nd British Open with music making of the richest emotion.


4BR Review — Episode 21

September 11 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox and Chris Thomas look forward to the 172nd British Open Championship in Birmingham on the weekend.


Dobson

Dobson enjoying his latest Dopamine hit...

September 11 • The Cornish composer continues to make his mark on the wider musical world with his latest album already becoming a hit in more ways than one...


British Open

British Open Countdown: T minus 1

September 11 • All the bands are now heading to Birmingham with all their prep done and dusted on 'Music of the Spheres'.


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Grenadier Guards

Thursday 17 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Duchess of Edinburgh String Orchestra

Friday 18 September • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the Irish Guards

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Eagle Brass

Thursday 1 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

September 14 • The band, under the musical direction of Jack Fisher, require a percussionist. Rehearsing in our own purpose built band hall, with a wide array of percussion instruments permanently set-up, have a growing schedule of concerts, contests and social events.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

September 14 • The band, under the musical direction of Jack Fisher, require an Eb bass player. Rehearsing in our own purpose built band hall in Rugby, the band has a growing schedule of concerts and contests as well as social events.


Birchwood Community Brass Band

September 14 • Due to retirement, Birchwood Community Brass Band requires the services of a new MD. We are a friendly Warrington based noncontesting band and training band of mixed ability looking for an MD to continue the musical development of both groups.


Dave Collins

BA (Hons) (Dunelm) I, FSCO
Composer and Arranger


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd