News & Events

60TH Anniversary Celebration Festival

The band were delighted to host a festival on Monday 2nd May 2016 to mark our 60th anniversary and also to recognise and celebrate the contribution of both the band and the Stedfast factory to Carrickmacross and surrounding areas. The festival which was held in the Phoenix Centre was a wonderful success with 9 bands participating on the day as follows:

  • St. Marys Brass & Reed Band, Kingscourt
  • An Lochrann Linn Brass & Reed Youth Band, Carrickmacross
  • Kells Silver Band
  • Ardee Concert Band – Senior
  • Blanchardstown Brass Band
  • Ardee Concert Band – Junior
  • Monaghan Brass Band
  • Irish National Foresters Band, Navan
  • Stedfast Shoes Brass Band
  • The theme for the music on the day was ‘Music From The Movies’ with each band playing a number of tunes from some well known films and TV programmes. In addition to the musical entertainment the band provided complimentary popcorn, face painting and balloon modelling for the younger guests. The wonderful displays of old photographs and memorabilia on the day were a major focal point and provided an excellent backdrop for many former band members, Stedfast employees and their families as they exchanged stories and recalled memories.

    The festival finished off with a massed band performance with in excess of 200 musicans playing ‘Slaidburn’ to the delight of the audience. We would like to thank everyone yhat helped in any way and in particular acknowledge the financial support received from The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Mark Newman Appointed Bandmaster & Musical Director

Due to work commitments Zdenek resigned as conductor in 2012. Our current bandmaster and musical director, Mark Newman, was appointed in 2012. A native of Drogheda, Co Louth, Mark first began playing cornet when aged 7. He has completed grade 7 with the London guild hall school of music and is currently assistant conductor and principle cornet player with Lourdes Brass Band, Drogheda, Co Louth. Mark has won numerous awards as both an individual player and with his band and has represented his country at European competition level. He instils an air of confidence in the band and is always willing to encourage and support both the experienced and novice players while helping them reach their full potential.

Zdenek Ondrousek still keeps in touch through our good friends in Blanchardstown Brass Band.

Zdenek Ondrousek Appointed Conductor

Towards the end of 2010 the band appointed Zdenek Ondrousek as their conductor. Zdenek is a native of the Czech Republic where he studied music at the Pardubice school of music. In 1991 he graduated as a tuba player and brass band conductor. Zdenek worked and toured as a professional tuba player with The Hradec Králové Philharmonic Orchestra ( www.fhk.cz) for a number of years before moving to Ireland in 2007. He is an accomplished musician and brings a wealth of musical experience to the band along with an infectious enthuasiasm and an ability to raise the members individual and collective musical skills.

Picture shows Zdenek along with President Mary and Dr Martin McAlese after the band played in Aras an Uachtarain in July 2010.

Play the music, not the instrument - Author Unknown