*
banner

Foden's Band

Edwin Firth Memorial Concert
Conductor: Michael Fowles
Sandbach School
Sunday 3rd June

The musical life of Edwin Firth has been marked in an outstanding manner by Foden’s Band.

100 years to the day on which he was killed serving in France in the First World War, remembrance services were held at the cenotaphs in the villages of Elworth and Sandbach to honour the former principal cornet player and others who made the ultimate sacrifice.

What other victories?

Two identical concerts were also given; both at Sandbach School Theatre featuring music that celebrated his tenure with the band – one that started in 1909 and encompassed five British Open titles and one National Championship success.  

What other victories could have come their way if he had returned from France?

He died aged just 29 – less than six months before the end of the conflict.

The music resonated with an evocative sense of history; ‘The Cossack’ march leading into an original recording of Edwin playing ‘Cleopatra’ and later ‘Pandora’ - revealing a player of remarkable technique and musicality, delicacy and finesse. 
      
The current incumbent Mark Wilkinson also displayed his artistry on an unearthed gem, ‘Fodenian’ - on the 1902 cornet owned and played on by Edwin, as well as ‘Goodbye’ - a Victorian ballad with heartbreaking resonance given that the band had recently been presented with a picture of him, that on its back he had written a small note to his newborn son, who he was destined never to see.

The music resonated with an evocative sense of history; ‘The Cossack’ march leading into an original recording of Edwin playing ‘Cleopatra’ and later ‘Pandora’ - revealing a player of remarkable technique and musicality, delicacy and finesse. 

Tributes and memories

The march ‘Westward Ho!’ which Firth won a national composition competition was dusted off with aplomb, whilst ‘Gems of Schubert’, the test piece which Foden’s (with him as principal cornet) won the 1910 National Championship was played with tasteful understanding. 

Tributes and memories – from Allan Littlemore’s excellent compering and the tribute to those lost but not forgotten men of the villages by Rev David Page, to ‘The Lost Chord’, ‘Hymn to the Fallen’, and ‘Henry Geehl’s beautiful ‘Threnody’, led to the delightful ‘Light Cavalry’ to close - a work that Firth made his own as a player. 

It was a fitting end to a fine concert and an equally fine remembrance of a truly remarkable musician. 

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Concert Brass Poynton

July 4 • Concert Brass Poynton: No Contesting - Not a learners Band. Rehearse on Wednesday Evenings between 8.00 to 10.00pm (short comfort break). We seek a front row cornet and a Tenor Horn and A Tenor Trombone and Bass Trom too..


Ocean Brass

July 4 • Ocean Brass are inviting applications for a kit player, as we prepare for an exciting schedule of concerts and contests in the second section through 2025 and beyond! We rehearse Thursdays 8pm-10pm, Banister Park Bowls Club, Southampton, SO50 9HT


Haverhill Silver Band

July 3 • Haverhill Silver Band (championship section) seeks a PRINCIPAL CORNET. This is a superb opportunity to lead East Anglia's premier brass band on the concert and contest stage (including the Senior Cup and Whit Friday).


John Durrant

MA LLCM TD CertEd (Dist)
Conductor, Band Trainer, Composer, Trumpet and Cornet Soloist, Arranger, Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd