Russell Gray and Mark Wilkinson on Foden‘s and its Nationals victory | episode 34

Conductor Russell Gray and cornet player extraordinaire, Mark Wilkinson, look back on an impressive performance and victory for Foden’s Band at the 2021 National Brass Band Championship of Great Britain in London’s Royal Albert Hall. The pair reflect on the band's performance of Bruce Broughton’s Heroes and the preparation of the piece, including the successful working relationship between the band, Russell and Mike Fowles, who undertook much of the band’s work on the piece. Mark, who’s occupied the principal cornet chair at Foden’s for around 29 years, lifts the lid on his secret to flourishing in tricky exposed passages in a high-pressure environment and discusses Foden’s plans for the coming weeks and months. Russell reflects on a very special weekend in the Gray household after wife Mareika guided Ratby Co-operative to fifth place in its debut at the event, and began by confirming whether or not the sore heads had calmed down after celebrating a double success! Subscribe to British Bandsman today!