*
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    


wobplay

New additions to Wobplay releases

July 30 • A premiere release from the International Staff Band is joined by classic Cory, memories of the Masters and and Edward Gregson greatest hits.


NYBBS

Fun and friendship key ingredients to NYBBS success

July 29 • A fantastic week of music making in Perthshire was rounded off with a memorable triptych concert.


Red Admira

Red Admiral still open for late arrivals

July 29 • If you want to be part of the live-broadcast Red Admiral Music Academy Entertainment Contest then you still have time...


Edward Gregson

National study scores now available

July 29 • Study scores of Edward Gregson's 'Symphony in Two Movements' are now available for Studio Music.


Haverhill Silver Band - A Nightingale Sang... (an evening concert)

Saturday 2 August • Foakes Hall, Dunmow CM6 1DG


The Lindley Band - Parp and a Pint

Wednesday 6 August • 14a Holly Bank Road. Lindley. Huddersfield . West Yorkshire HD3 3 JE


Haverhill Silver Band - East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival

Sunday 24 August • St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QX


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Saffron Hall

Wednesday 27 August • Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4UH


Uckfield Concert Brass - Eastbourne Bandstand 1812 Concert

Wednesday 27 August • Eastbourne Bandstand, Lower Grand Parade, Eastbourne. BN21 3AD


Hathersage Band

July 30 • FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making, play a wide variety of music and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Alder Valley Brass

July 30 • We are looking for a front row cornet player to join our ambitious, busy and sociable 2nd section band (national finalists 2023). We have a good blend of concerts, engagements and contests. Rehearsals Mondays and Thursdays 8-10pm in Farnham, Surrey


Cambrian Brass

July 30 • Heading to Aberystwyth University this September? . Join us on Friday evenings, just a short walk from campus, and be part of a growing band with exciting plans for the year ahead!


Dave Collins

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


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd