As part of our coverage of the All Ireland 2019 we will be giving some of the bands who’ll be heading Drogheda eight questions to answer! The first band is the Foxford Brass and Reed Band who qualified from the Mayo Fleadh and then won the Connacht Fleadh, here’s what we asked them………..
#1. When your band formed and why?
The Foxford Brass and Reed Band was formed in 1896 as a social outlet for the workers of the Foxford Woollen Mills and the townspeople of Foxford.
#2. What’s the bands biggest achievement?
The Foxford Brass & Reed Band was named the Best Visiting Marching Band at the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1992.
#3. Why did you enter Fleadh this year?
The Foxford Brass & Reed Band’s repertoire contains many traditional Irish tunes, several of which have been arranged for the band by our Bandmaster Emeritus, Eamon Mangan. We discovered a category for miscellaneous marching bands on the Mayo Fleadh programme last year and decided we met the criteria to enter this year.
#4. Do you think you can win and why and have you seen your competitors?
We think do have a shot at winning the All-Ireland. As I have told the band, we are not a show band, but we definitely are a classy band. We look sharp and play well and we provide something a little bit different.
We have observed our competitors online.
#5.Do you think their experience will be an advantage?
Given this is the Foxford Brass & Reed Band’s first ever All Ireland Fleadh competition (in fact, our first Fleadh at any level), we haven’t known what to expect. I think this keeps us both sharp and on our toes, while at the same time, flexible to adapt to conditions.
#6. Have you entered any other competitions before how did you do?
The last competition the Foxford Brass & Reed Band entered was the Connaught Band Finals, winning it in 1954!
#7. What would Winning the All Ireland Mean to your band?
The Foxford Brass & Reed Band comes from a community steeped in traditional music. Winning an All-Ireland would be a proud continuation of that tradition and a fine accomplishment for its musicians, some who have been part of this band for over 65 years and some who have only recently begun playing!
#8. Is the Fleadh going to be a permanent fixture on your annual calendar and what does the future hold for your band?
Competing in the 2019 Fleadh has been a positive experience for our band. We can envision the Fleadh becoming part of the band’s tradition going forward.The Foxford Brass & Reed Band is going to the United States of America in 2020 to play at the Milwaukee Irish Festival and march in their parade.
On Saturday we will be posting our next interview come back then to find who it is!