Edwin Firth Celebration Concert 

Foden's are to commemorate the life of the celebrated cornetist Edwin Firth, with two concert performances in 2018. Edwin Firth was born at Skipton on 23rd December 1888 into a banding family. His grandfather, Greenwood Firth, was the solo trombone with Black Dyke for twenty-five years, while his father Squire Firth  was a cornet player with the same famous band. 
 
It was hardly surprising that Edwin learned to play the cornet as a lad and in 1899 joined the Skipton Band. By 1902, at the age of thirteen he was Principal Cornet with the Band when they played at the famous Crystal Palace contest. As something of a 'boy wonder', Edwin received many invitations to appear as a guest soloist, and was able to use the money to pay for private tuition from William Rimmer and Alexander Owen, the greatest teachers of their day. Due to his playing standard Edwin was offered the Principal Cornet position at Foden's aged 20 in 1908. 
 
The Great War was well into its third year when Edwin decided, quite voluntarily, that he should fight for his King and Country. In 1917 he became Private Edwin Firth of the 28th London Regiment (The Artists' Rifles). In February 1918 Edwin's Regiment was posted out to France, where he naturally took with him a cornet. Sadly, on the 1st June 1918 Edwin was killed aged 29. 
 
To mark the centenary of his death Foden's will hold celebration concerts on the 1st and 3rd June 2018 in Sandbach. As part of a successful ACE application Foden's have commissioned Andy Scott, the band's composer in residence, to write a work to commemorate his life which will be premiered at these events. As well as the concerts there will also be an exhibition of Edwin's possessions, including his cornet, prior to the concert. 
 
Ticket numbers are restricted and available via www.priorbooking.com or marklwilky@hotmail.com
 

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