January 2013
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FanfareNewsletter of the Foden’s Patrons Society January 2013 Inside this issue... • Welcome – Mark Wilkinson • Presidents column – Chris Finnegan VP • MD’s Column – Michael Fowles • Foden’s in the Community – Ian Raisbeck • Partners – Sterling Instruments • Player Focus – Alan Hodgkinson • Reviews - British Open – Mark Bousie - Solo Contest – Andy Rolfe - National Finals – Chris Haigh - Manchester Cathedral – Paul Hindmarsh • DVD Order Form • Other news snippets – Ian Raisbeck • Forthcoming Events – Mark Wilkinson One Hundred Years of Musical Excellence www.fodensband.co.uk Welcome... - Mark Wilkinson, Principal Cornet Dear Friends What a year 2012 has been for the band! During my 20 years service this year has been by far the most memorable in relation to contest wins, profile and exposure for the band as well as enjoyment and consistently good playing! 2012 ‘A year to remember’ January: The band were in fine form at the ‘Royal Northern College of Music’ under the direction of former Musical Director Howard Snell where we performed a programme of ‘serious’ repertoire to a capacity and appreciative audience. This was followed by a CD recording with Howard the following day for a CD entitled ‘Masquerade’ to be released at the British Open contest in September. February: Consisted of a number of concerts including our annual trip to Armagh, Northern Ireland. We also competed in the ‘North West Area Contest’ in Blackpool. At this contest we were placed a disappointing 3rd but still qualified for the National Finals to be held in October at the Royal Albert Hall. March: Back to the recording studio to record two test pieces with our professional conductor Allan Withington to complete the ‘Masquerade CD’ as well as two highly enjoyable concerts at Sandbach School performing ‘The Sound of Music’ with a number of primary schools as part of a project co-ordinated by Allan and Kirsten Withington. April: Very proud to lead the ‘Sandbach Transport Festival’ once again as well as performing alongside and accompanying the winners for the ‘Cheshire East School’s Music Contest’. May: Prestigious concert at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester as well as sharing the stage with our friends, Lions Youth Brass at Congleton Town Hall. June: Back to winning ways by becoming the ‘Whit Friday March Contest Champions’ picking up £7,000 in prize money. Later in June we were placed 3rd at the ‘English Nationals Contest’ in Preston which is the qualification contest for the European Championship in 2013 to be held in Norway. Disappointed to narrowly miss out; but it did mean we did not have to start raising the £25k to travel and compete in the contest! Also performed in an outdoor concert in Sandbach Park in a weekend festival organised by Sandbach Council to celebrate the Jubilee. July: More educational work for the band appearing in concerts with the talented musicians at Little Lever High School, Bolton and Sandbach Boys School before 4 weeks band holidays. During this ‘break’ a number of the band players tutored on various summer schools with the ‘National Youth Band of Great Britain’, ‘National Youth Band of Scotland’, ‘Armagh Summer School’, ‘Wessex Summer School’ and ‘Bolsover Summer School.’ August: Returned from band holidays with a welcome return to Gawsworth Hall after a 12 year absence. Rehearsals start for the British Open Contest in September. September: Crowned the British Open Champions!!! High profile concerts at Buxton Opera House, Bridgewater Hall as well as a fund raising concert for ‘Help the Heroes’ at Cranage Hall. One Hundred Years of Musical Excellence One Hundred Years of Musical Excellence www.fodensband.co.uk www.fodensband.co.uk October: Principal players hold a coaching day in Norwich. Later in the month the band became the ‘National Champions of Great Britain’ the first time since 1999 and 102 years since the band won this and the British Open in the same year. Victory was followed by a lot of hangovers as well as an appearance on ‘BBC 1 North West Tonight’ as well as amongst various local and national press coverage. November: ‘Masquerade’ is awarded ‘British Bandsman Magazine CD of the year’ beating releases from Black Dyke, Brighouse, Cory, Fairey’s, Leyland. Foden’s run their own Solo Contest for the 2nd time drawing over 130 contestants from all over this country, Ireland and Belgium. This contest also saw the first performance of the newly formed ‘Foden’s Youth Band’, which we are very proud off. Foden’s run their own ‘Self Promotional Concert’ at Manchester Cathedral to a capacity audience in excess of 830 people which is recorded as a live DVD release. December: ‘Masquerade’ is awarded ‘Brass Band World Magazine’ CD of the year beating the above releases again! Appearance on ‘BBC 1 North West Tonight’ Christmas Special as well as an invitation to appear on a new BBC 1 TV programme with Frank Skinner, Gabby Logan and David Williams. Unfortunately the proposed TV programme was later postponed due to the withdrawal by the presenter. Foden’s record ‘Patrons Choice 6’ which will feature the winning performances from the British Open and Nationals, this will be dedicated to all of our Patrons. The year is finished off with our annual ‘Christmas Meal’ and a performance in front of our friends, supporters and Patrons at Sandbach School. During 2012 the band have performed in 99 rehearsals, 38 concerts/recordings, 6 coaching days (not including rehearsals and tutoring the Foden’s Youth Band) We are always on the look out for any help that Patrons may be able to offer in various areas, if any one would like to help the band in any way please contact myself on 07740 354106 or [email protected] Finally, from 2013 we have had to slightly increase the minimum donation of becoming a patron from £16 to £18 due to increased costs in the printing and distribution of the patrons magazine. I hope this will not deter you for continuing with your membership which we greatly value and appreciate. On behalf of all at Foden’s thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you all again at the Patrons Concert on the 19th February. Mark Wilkinson One Hundred Years of Musical Excellence One Hundred Years of Musical Excellence www.fodensband.co.uk www.fodensband.co.uk Presidents Column MD’s Column - Chris Finnegan, Vice-President - Michael Fowles, Musical Director Dear Friends 2012 has been my first full year as a Vice President of Foden’s Band. It was a privilege to be asked to join the team particularly as I am not a musician and can barely sing in tune! I grew up in the 1950’s listening to my grandfather and uncles sing the praises of Foden’s Motor Works Band, so when I returned to the North West, in 1989, I had lots of opportunities to reacquaint myself with their music and performances. Being part of the team has made me realise just how much effort, dedication and team work is involved behind the scenes to deliver the immaculate performances and the incredible results... what a year! This wonderful bunch of individuals work together as a team, they all give 110% of their time, not just playing and practising, but also running the band as you might any business, generating funds, trying to balance the books and watch the cash flow. I have found that they have some remarkable strengths, but I am still not sure which element is the most important. Is it the stability and consistency of the players and their friendship and loyalty to each other and to us? - They certainly have these qualities. Is it their musicianship and their inspirational conductors and associates, or the army of helpers and the healthy network of supporters and partners? The answer is probably all of these things in equal measure. Just as reassuring is that they also recognise that a strength , if neglected, can easily become a weakness- nothing stands still and it is important to look forward for new opportunities and partnerships. To me Foden’s Band is a wonderful ambassador for British brass banding; for the North West and for Sandbach, long may it continue. I am proud to stand alongside them on any day. Thank you for reading my thoughts and thank you for your support, please carry on spreading the message! Please also be assured that your Band really does need you. Best Wishes to everyone for 2013 Chris Finnegan One Hundred Years of Musical Excellence One Hundred Years of Musical Excellence www.fodensband.co.uk www.fodensband.co.uk MD’s Column - Michael Fowles, Musical Director Hello Friends Well what a year! The “Double” doesn’t happen that often and all of us associated with the band are incredibly proud of the achievement. To give you some idea of the rarity let me share the most recent sequence of “Doubles” – 1985, 1993, 2000 and then Foden’s in 2012 some 102 years since our illustrious band last achieved this feat! The last 12 months have seen the band on consistently high form on the concert platform entertaining audiences the length and breadth of the country with 2 particular highlights for this writer being the Bridgewater Hall Spring Festival and our own self-promoted concert in Manchester Cathedral. At the Bridgewater the band gave a varied programme that included a stunning solo performance by our old friend Rex Richardson and a powerful performance of The Legend of King Arthur by our musical associate Dr Peter Meechan. This last piece is the title track of our latest CD that features the music of Dr Meechan and has met with critical acclaim.