*
banner

Foden's regional reach out for 2026

If you want some of the Foden's Area Championship winning formula to rub off on you, then why not sign up for some early test-piece prep.

Fodens
  Michael Fowles and Foden's Band players will lead the mentoring on the works

The Foden's Band has already started planning for the 2026 Regional Championships as they look to make it an unprecedented 10 North West Area wins in a row.

However, they are also looking to help others in their title assaults with a new initiative that will see them open their doors to players from all other sections.

Sectional sessions

During November, Musical Director Mike Fowles and a team of principal players will be holding open sectional sessions focussing on each of the section regional works, where delegates can bring their parts and scores for their respective pieces to work on.

The cost of the sessions will be £30 per player, during which they will have the chance to talk to their tutors about any specific issues within the pieces, as well as any general brass playing questions to help them with their development.

To register

To register, please email Mark Wilkinson via: marklwilky@hotmail.com by Wednesday 22nd October.

The sessions will take place at Foden's Band HQ at CPG Construction Products Group, Industrial Unit Booth Street, Sandbach (CW11 3QF).

Conductors:

Mentor: Michael Fowles
Saturday 8th November

4th Section: 10.00am — Noon
3rd Section: 12.30pm — 2.30pm
2nd Section: 2.45pm — 4.45pm
1st Section: 5.00pm — 7.00pm

Cornets:

Mentor: Mark Wilkinson
Saturday 22nd November

4th Section: 10.00am — Noon
3rd Section: 12.15pm — 2.15pm
2nd Section: 2.45pm — 4.45pm
1st Section: 5.00pm — 7.00pm

Horns & Flugels:

Mentor: Jonathan Bates
Sunday 16th November

4th Section: 10.00am — Noon
3rd Section: 12.15pm — 2.15pm
2nd Section: 2.45pm — 4.45pm
1st Section: 5.00pm — 7.00pm

Baritones & Euphoniums:

Mentor: Gary Curtin
Saturday 8th November

4th Section: 10.00am — Noon
3rd Section: 12.15pm — 2.15pm
2nd Section: 2.45pm — 4.45pm
1st Section: 5.00pm — 7.00pm

Trombones:

Mentor: John Barber
Sunday 2nd November

4th Section: 10.30am — 12.30pm
3rd Section: 12.45pm — 2.45pm
2nd Section: 3.00pm — 5.00pm
1st Section: 5.15pm — 7.15pm

Basses:


Mentor: Andy Cattanach
Sunday 23rd November

4th Section: 10.00am — Noon
3rd Section: 12.15pm — 2.15pm
2nd Section: 2.45pm — 4.45pm
1st Section: 5.00pm — 7.00pm

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    


whit friday

Report & Results: 2025 Christmas Whit Friday

December 13 • Diggle and Dobcross Youth get an early Christmas prezzie contest bonus on a night of festive fun in Delph.


National Youth Championships

Judges announced for 2026 National Youth Championships

December 11 • Anna Wilby, Christopher Bond, Stephanie Kennedy, Lauren Chinn, Daniel Brooks and Ailsa Russell (above) will be making the decisions at the National Youth Championships next March.


Brass Matters

Podcast: Brass Matters — The Centre of Things Part 1

December 11 • Join John Wallace and friends as they discuss his latest musical project.


rules

Regional Championship borrowing rules confirmed

December 11 • Bands in Sections 1-4 will be able to borrow players to boost their chances of National Championship qualification.


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 6 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF12 0JZ


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Haverhill Silver Band - Family Christmas Concert

Sunday 7 December • Castle Manor Academy, Haverhill CB9 9JE


Petworth Town Band - PetworthTown Band Christmas Concert

Saturday 13 December • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Cambrian Brass

December 15 • We are a hard-working, positive and welcoming brass band, proudly inclusive and open to players of all experience levels. As we prepare for the forthcoming Regional Championships, we currently have a vacancy for a Solo Cornet player.


Cambrian Brass

December 15 • We are a hard-working, positive and welcoming brass band, proudly inclusive and open to players of all experience levels. As we prepare for the forthcoming Regional Championships, we currently have a vacancy for a Flugelhorn player.


Cambrian Brass

December 15 • We are a hard-working, positive and welcoming brass band, proudly inclusive and open to players of all experience levels. As we prepare for the forthcoming Regional Championships, we currently have a vacancy for a Soprano Cornet player.


Howard J Evans

MA (Dist), Mus.B (hons), ARCM (hons), LRAM, LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, composer, arranger, tutor and pianist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd