Foden’s Solo and Ensemble Competition moves online!
Despite the continuing pandemic, the anniversary tenth edition of the Solo and Ensemble Competition, organised and presented by Foden’s Band, will go ahead this year online, ensuring the safety of all concerned.
Organiser, Andy Rolfe, commented: “We are thrilled to run the contest again, especially given the current pandemic conditions, and are excited to offer each competing performer the opportunity a platform to reach the worldwide audience.
We’re also delighted to have again secured support for this year’s tenth anniversary edition of the contest from the respected Kapitol Promotions, which presents the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, along with its sister company’s magazine, Brass Band World / BBW Digital, and the ensemble element is supported by funding from Arts Council England".
“The event will build on the successful Online Festival and Whit Friday events that Foden’s has already staged during lockdown, for which 500,000 viewers worldwide enjoyed the absolute best that brass and percussion playing can bring.”
Open to entries worldwide, the contest is split into six different categories, comprising Slow Melody and Air-varie sections for each of the over-18 and under-18 age categories, plus Open Percussion and Ensemble sections. Due to the anticipated large entry, the Solo categories will be split into two rounds of judging and the top-five will be invited to perform a different piece in the Grand Final, broadcast online on Friday 30 October, which will also feature the top-five performances from the other categories before the announcement of the results.
The preliminary rounds will be judged by the principal players of Foden’s Band, after which, each category of five performers will be adjudicated by two judges – one from Foden’s Band and a guest one.
The contest opens for entries on Friday 4 September, when soloists and ensembles will be able to submit their performances via Facebook. Prior to submitting entries, full details and competition conditions can be obtained by emailing darren@fodensband.co.uk The closing date for entries is 25 September; the selection of the top-five categories will be announced by 2 October and the finalist performances take place from 16-23 October, with the final broadcast on 30 October.
