*
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    


Black Dyke

Black Dyke feature in Bradford cultural celebration

June 8 • The Queensbury Band has been featured in a BBC 'Travel Show' programme that celebrates the rejuvenation of Bradford as the 2025 UK City of Culture.


Elgar festival of brass

Top trio attracts audiences to Malvern

June 7 • There are still tickets left if you want to enjoy Cory, Black Dyke and Foden's in performance in Malvern


Perth

Entries now open for Scottish Festival of Brass brace

June 7 • Bands can now enter the popular Band Supplies Scottish Challenge Shield and Scottish Open sponsored by Besson.


Cambrian Brass

New band to be formed in Aberystwyth

June 7 • Cambrian Brass to provide a welcoming, inclusive home for players with the aim of competing at the Welsh Area in 2026.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Petworth Town Band - Fete in the Park with Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Grounds of Petworth Park GU28 9LR


Petworth Town Band - Farnham Brass Band and Petworth Town Band

Saturday 28 June • Farnham Carnival


Rushden Town Band

June 8 • 2nd Trombone - come and join our amazing trombone section in Rushden Town Band. A varied engagement schedule as well as a tour every other year.


Rushden Town Band

June 8 • B flat bass position for this fun-loving, 1st Section East Midlands band. Varied engagement schedule including a tour every other year.


Chinnor Silver

June 7 • Our Community Band is meeting on Monday {9th} and would welcome anyone who fancies an extra friendly rehearsal,with coffee and cake involved.. We rehearse in our bandroom at 11am its free and it open to all abilities.. No commitment required.


Nigel Seaman

ARMCM ARNCM
Conductor, band trainer, teacher and adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd