SRU band marches in Dublin, Ireland
Some members of the Slippery Rock University band traveled to Ireland to perform on an international platform.
The SRU Marching Pride joined bands from all over the world Sunday in a parade that spanned nearly two miles through the streets of Dublin in front of an estimated 500,000 spectators.
Sophomore Alyssa Rea, a color guard member and Slippery Rock High School graduate, said she was nervous, but excited for the challenge.
“I'm looking forward to just being in a new setting outside of America and learning a new experience,” Rea said. “There's obviously going to be a lot more people than we're used to.”
The band will perform again Monday in Limerick. Live streams were available for the Dublin parade and will be available again Monday, according to Jonathan Helmick, director for SRU's bands.
“And I believe this is the first time this band has traveled internationally,” Helmick said.
Helmick said Ireland, especially Dublin, is well known for bringing many cultures and nationalities together.
“It truly is an international city,” he said. “They're going to be learning how to interact with people.”
Some students, like freshman tenor saxophone player Kayla Karenbauer, were focused on the cultural immersion. The Butler High School graduate said this is the farthest she has traveled outside the U.S.
“I think it'll be super interesting to see the different cultures, and play music for them,” Karenbauer said. “I think there's a lot of different standards between all the different countries, so I think it'll be interesting to see them all.”
Hemlock said for many members of his band, the trip is an experience of a lifetime.
“First and foremost, this experience is going to open their eyes to the world,” he said. “They're going to see a part of the world they've never seen.”
Freshman sousaphone player Shaun Klein said traveling to Ireland was something he wanted to do in his lifetime.
“Going to Ireland is one of my bucket list things,” the Karns City High School graduate said. “And getting to go there and march in a parade is one of the most fantastic things to do.”After two days of performing, students will have time for guided exploration until returning Thursday. The group plans to visit places like Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral, The Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty Castle, where William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, once lived as a child.Both Klein and Rea look forward to seeing the Cliffs of Moher.“I think it'll be pretty, and I like taking pictures,” Rea said.Klein added that he is also looking forward to visiting St. Patrick's Cathedral and furthering a relationship with his roots and passion for music.“I definitely love the Irish culture, especially the music,” Klein said. “I feel like that's what I'm attuned to, especially since I have Irish heritage. I feel like I connect with it more.”Helmick said the trip was a dream for many of the students, but for him it's a testament to the growth of the band program. He said the band has grown from 140 members to 210 over the last three years, but he doesn't want to take too much credit for that.“The work that the students did to get us here has elevated us to a new standard,” Helmick said. “The quality of the program has gone up tremendously, which I think has attracted students to the institution as well as the marching band.Because Helmick's traveled to Ireland before, sightseeing isn't the most exciting part of the trip for him.“Getting to see Ireland and the parade and marching in front of 500,000 people ... the thing I'm looking forward to the most is their faces,” Helmick said of sharing the international adventure with his band members.
<br />
