Fodens & Lions Youth

Conductors: Paul Andrews & Nigel Birch
Congleton Town Hall
Friday 6th November

On Friday 6th November a concert took place at Congleton Town Hall for Cheshire East Council, featuring Fodens Band, conducted by Paul Andrews, and Lions Youth Brass, conducted by Nigel Birch. 

The hall was packed and even the reserved seating for players to listen was taken by the audience.

Great evening

The concert began with Lions Youth Brass in fine form with the popular march 'Blaze Away' that set the tone for a great evening of entertainment. 

After a couple of lighter items the Fodens back row cornet section joined the Lions back row section in 'Make You Feel My Love', which was a really great experience for the youngsters. 

The Youth band then continued with 'All That Jazz' and other light concert items. The band then featured their Euphonium soloist, Alex Holsgrove in the classic solo 'La Belle Americaine'. Alex is a very accomplished performer and the audience really enjoyed his fantastic performance. 

Development

Before the interval Nigel Birch spoke about the launch of the new Fodens Youth Patrons Society which is designed to foster the development of young musicians all over the United Kingdom and Europe (more information is available on the Fodens website). 

The first half was brought to a rousing conclusion by the massed bands of Fodens and Lions in 'The Gladiator'.

Cossack

The second half began with Fodens playing their signature tune 'The Cossack' and it was very evident from the start that the band were again in great form, just as they were a few weeks ago at The Royal Albert Hall. 

This was followed by the music from 'The Indiana Jones and The Temple Of Doom', where Fodens showed their superb technical abilities and dynamic range. 

Then we had another joint feature with the trombone sections from both bands in the old classic trio 'Frolic For Trombones'. 

Fodens then played the lovely 'Hine E Hine', which featured the beautiful sounds of Helen Williams on Flugel. Fodens continued with an arrangement by one of their former conductors, Howard Snell, in Aaron Copeland's 'Hoe Down'.

Great experience

Following his performance in the first half Alex Holsgrove then joined Glynn Williams in 'Deep Inside The Sacred Temple'. 

This was a great experience for Alex to perform alongside one of the finest musicians in the brass band movement and it's not difficult to understand why he continually wins solo awards at the major contests.

Fodens then displayed their full musicality in 'The Kingdom Triumphant' which had the audience spell bound. They then gave a blockbusting encore of the classic 'Toccata In D Minor' which brought the concert to a great conclusion.

This was a night when the brass band movement showed all its great qualities. Lions Youth Brass showing all the enthusiasm and fine music making of one of the countries leading youth organisations and Fodens, one the world's very best, in great form, coming together to entertain an audience just wanting to be entertained.

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