Foden’s Open Solo, Duet & Quartet Championships
Foden's Band has announced its annual Open Solo, Duet & Quartet championships will be held on the 3rd November in Sandbach. This will be the eighth time the event has taken place and is generously supported on this occasion by Besson as well as other high profile benefactors.
The Blue Riband 'Open Class' attracts players of the highest calibre, with horn star Paul Bennett winning the title for the last two years.
As always there will be different classes for age groups and genres — all aimed at giving everyone a great experience of friendly competition, including for the first time a special 'Parent & Child' duet class. The popular ‘Open Class’ is expected to attract players of the very highest calibre.
In a bid to boost quartet entrants a special prize is being awarded awarded this year in the form of a brand new composition written by Jonathan Bates to the winner of the '11 years and under' age group. Quartets in this section will only be required to play 2 verses of any hymn from the famous 'Red Hymn Book', meaning finding suitable repertoire should not be an issue.
The contests will be presided over by top class adjudicators, whilst there are fantastic accompanists on hand too.
A Foden's spokesperson told 4BR: "We're very grateful that one of our generous patrons has given a cash bursary as the prize in the '17 to 19 years of age Slow Melody' class.
The winner not only claims the Bryan Tait Trophy, but will also have a new solo written for them by composer Lee Morris.
“Bryan was an outstanding principal cornet, and his son, Phillip, offered to present his father's trophy, which will go to a cornet player. In addition, new Foden's partner, GARD, are kindly donating additional prizes so, along with our huge array of trophies and awards, we aim to reward as many musicians as possible for their super efforts."
Information about this year's competition can be obtained by e-mailing Fiona Rolfe at: fiona-rolfe@hotmail.co.ukor downloading an entry form from the Foden's Band website at: http://www.fodensband.co.uk/youth-band/solo-contest/
