Foden’s Top Brass in Concert
Building on its runner-up spot at the National Finals last month, Foden’s delivered a Disney inspired programme of ‘Prince Ali - from Rags to Riches’ to clinch victory at the Brass in Concert Championships yesterday. The 46th Brass in Concert Festival took place this weekend at the newly named Glasshouse International Centre for Music, with the music making beginning on Friday evening with the World of Brass in Concert Gala Concert. The concert featured Fountain City Brass Band alongside the Bone-Afide trombone quartet and was expertly introduced by Frank Renton.
The following day 11 of the world's finest bands took part in the main entertainment contest with Adjudicators Howard Evans and Margie Antrobus (Quality of Performance), David Thornton (Content), Simone Rebello and Jo Towler (Entertainment & Presentation) ready to try and separate the dazzling showcase that unfolded throughout the day.
In the end it was another victory for Foden’s, consolidating the band’s position as number 1 in the World. Norway’s Eikanger was only two points behind in second place, with Flowers completing the podium prizes. Reflecting on the win a clearly delighted Foden’s was keen to pay tribute to the many people who had contributed to the band’s success, stating: “It was a fantastic day yesterday, as the band won Brass in Concert for the first time in 14 years, claiming the awards for Best Performance, Best Entertainment, the Audience prize and individual awards for Gary Curtin (Best Euphonium) and Richard Poole (Best Soprano)! We end the 2023 contesting season as the world’s No. 1 band, North West Champions, British Open Champions and Brass in Concert Champions
“Huge thanks and congratulations must also go to several others without whom yesterday wouldn’t have been possible: Our writers - Principal Tenor Horn Jonathan Bates who put the whole programme together and 17 year old Will Savage (who we believe is one of, if not, the youngest ever writer to have a work featured in a winning Brass in Concert programme). Our creative team - Alice Pool and Sarah Wadey for their fantastic artwork to help bring the story to life and narrator Tom Redmond for conveying the story so effectively. Solo Cornet player Jon Probert for the MAMMOTH job of pulling together all of the visual designs and audio effects for the big screen. And last but not least our inspirational Musical Director Mike Fowles, winning his first Brass in Concert and being the constant drive behind the band’s performance levels week in, week out!”
Congratulations to all involved in the weekend. A full review will appear in the next issue of BBW magazine and the full results can be viewed below.
Result:
Adjudicators:
Quality of Performance: Howard Evans/Margie Antrobus
Content: David Thornton
Entertainment & Presentation: Simone Rebello/Jo Towler
1. Foden's (Michael Fowles): 57/57/34/20/18 = 186
2. Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag (Reid Gilje): 54/54/40/17/19 = 184
3. Flowers (Paul Holland): 45/60/38/18/17 = 178
4. Brighouse & Rastrick (Garry Cutt): 51/51 /36/19/16 = 173
5. Fountain City (Joe Parisi): 60/42/26/16/14 = 158
6. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse): 48/45/30/15/12 = 150
7. Grimethorpe Colliery (Steve Phillips): 39/48/28/11/10 = 131*
8. Aldbourne (Glyn Williams): 42/36/22/12/13 = 125
9. Carlton Main Frickley (Allan Withington): 30/39/32/10/11 = 122
10. Friary Brass (Nigel Taken): 33/30/24/14/20 = 121
11. Hammonds (Morgan Griffiths): 36/33/20/13/15 = 117
*5 point time penalty
Quality of Performance Award: Foden's
Entertainment & Presentation Award: Foden's
Programme Content Award: Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag
Audience Entertainment Award: Foden's
Best New Composition /Arrangement: Time for Tea (Lucy Pankhurst)
Best Soloist: Emily Evans (horn) — Flowers
Best Soprano: Richard Poole (Foden's)
Best Principal Cornet: Dewi Griffiths (Tredegar)
Best Flugel Horn: Gyda Matland (Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag)
Best Tenor Horn: Hilde Oian (Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag)
Best Baritone: Erland Oian (Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag)
Best Euphonium: Gary Curtin (Foden's)
Best Trombone: Ryan Richards (Tredegar)
Best Bass Section: Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag
Best Percussion Section: Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag
Youngest Player: Jake Bartlett (aged 16) — Aldbourne
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