1st Old Boys Team up with Fodens

At Armagh Summer School

The 13th August 2001 saw the 1st Northern Ireland Summer School involving a Top (or The Top) Brass Band from mainland Britain.

Ivor Stephenson of "The Armagh Old Boys Band" organized the Summer School with select members of the Fodens band

They were:-

Ivor got the idea and need for a brass band Summer school from a concert given by the Fodens Banding Armagh's' Market Theatre  followed by a workshop headed by Alan Wycherley. He soon saw the potential for expanding this into a weeklong Summer School

The course commenced on Monday the 13th of August in Armagh old boys Band room and there were representatives of over ten bands. Standards varied from Championship level right down to junior 4th grade and beyond. Anyone who attended found it very enjoyable.

There were over 10 bands represented and over 70 players in total attended the school. The bands included were 1^st Old Boys (SeaCat), 55^th Old boys, Armagh Old Boys, St. Marks silver, Murley, Warrenpoint Silver, Newry Concert, Comber Silver, Laganvale, CWA, Tempo Silver and The RAF Central, Sorry if I have left any out.

The format for the week started on Monday night 13 August 01 when a band was formed and music was then sorted out for the final concert that was to be on the following Saturday night. The Music chosen included ‘The Appellation Folk Song Suite’ by James Curnow, ‘La Reign da Saba’, ‘Slaidburn’, ‘Standard of St. George’, ‘The Piper in the Meadow’ and ‘Salamanca’. Alan Wycherley conducted the rehearsal and all the Fodens Team sat in to help out the other players.

  During the day for the rest of the week the whole of the Fodens team gave lessons both privately and in the schools of Armagh. Anyone who attended greatly benefited from these lesson were and inspired.

Tuesday night saw another rehearsal of the summer school band and there was obviously some improvement from the last rehearsal might have been as Alan Wycherley quoted “Get the instruments out of the box an maybe practice them.” (A novel approach).

 Wednesday Night was as Ivor described it as a “Brass Supper” this comprised of a concert by the eight members of Fodens followed by a buffet. The Concert was fantastic the players were on top form. They played a program for the audience that was light, exciting and full of solos including Brilliante played by David Childs, Solitaire (Alan Wycherley), The Lazy Trumpeter (Mark Wilkinson) Army of the Nile and even Hootenanny to name but a few. Though there were only 8 players everyone said it sounded like a full band. A very enjoyable night  

Thursday was another rehearsal and Friday was a night off

Saturday Night Concluded The Armagh Summer School with Gala Concert that was kicked off by a concert given by The 1^st Old Boys SeaCat Band who had  the honour of having the Fodens team playing along side. They played pieces like Holiday for Strings, Jubilee Overture, The Contestor, And the Band played on. The Soloist were put under pressure but coped well. David Whitside Played "On with the Motley" with Alan Wycherley seated beside him and similarly Mark Bingham played "Satchmo" with Mark Wilkinson close by. 

The night closed with a concert by the Summer school Band of the pieces mentioned earlier and a massed band with the 1st Old Boys to Conclude a very successful and fruitful course. Just Congrats Ryan Gray (13) principal Euph, David and Helen Moore both 13 Solo Cornet and Solo Horn

I think sincere thanks should be given to Ivor Stevenson for organizing this event and not least The Fodens team for their effort, expertise and enthusiasm.

 Ivor has organized another event on the 8th & 9th of February 2002 Fodens are coming back to Armagh this time as a Full Band more details to follow....