Marching Band Trips: Disney World, Toronto, Ireland, England and more!

Texas High Band, Fall 1994

Never underestimate a good school trip to make an impact on a young person's life. For me, those school trips were with my marching bands, both in high school and college bands.

Texas High Color Guard competition, Spring 1995

Being in Marching band literally saved my life on so many levels. It gave me a family to belong to and was a great lesson in teamwork. Being in band also presented a connection with individuals and to embrace all of our identities and be who we are freely. That is the world of "Band Kids. " You be you. A family that teaches you teamwork, and to work your ass off just like any sport (Marching Band counted as a PE credit in my high school) while celebrating the love of music.

Texas High Jazz Band, Played "Layla" among a few other pieces

Oh, and you meet your best friends for life. In any marching band across the U.S. you will find a group of friends, that are family and have a bond that will last forever.

If I could put lightning in a bottle, it's the marching band experience. Band kids across the world (young or old) know the awesomeness in which I am describing.

Razorback Marching Band Fall 1995

The two marching bands I was proud to be a member of was the Texas High Tiger Marching Band in my hometown of Texarkana, TX and the Razorback Marching Band at the University of Arkansas. Some of the best collective 8 years of my life and taught me so many life lessons. Being in both bands was a dream! I had so much fun, that it should have been illegal

Razorback Color Guard, Fall 1996

Now at times of being in band, I might have complained of practicing in triple digit heat, long practice hours, giving up weekends, or marching in the rain and sleet. But I will also tell you, nothing beats the adrenaline rush when you enter the field for a Pre-Game or Half-time show. The screaming fans, the kickoff of that drum beat you are standing at a attention and waiting for. I recall the first time stepping on our college field, feeling the thunder of the crowd cheering. The butterflies, adrenaline, and excitement compares to the rush of skydiving!

Razorback Guard Members, Fall 1998

In High School, I went on two big band trips: Orlando's Disney World in 1993 and to Toronto, Canada for a competition with our Concert Bands, Jazz Bands and Color Guard in 1995. I would have never got to go to Disney World, if it weren't for the Marching Band and going to Toronto was my first international travel destination!

In College Bands, I went to 3 bowl games, an SEC Championship game and one of my favorite trips ever: Dublin, Limerick & Belfast in Ireland and London, England, spring break 1997. The trip to Ireland and England was due to our band being invited to march in the Dublin St. Patrick's Day parade, among other fun stops. Of all my travels I have been on, this is by far still one of my favorite trips. Ever. Maybe it was because it was 1997 and social media did not exist yet, lol! Maybe it was because I am on a trip with all of my best friends! Or maybe it is just nostalgia.

Right after marching 6 miles through Dublin, meeting fun locals partying after the parade.

Our College Band Director, Mr. W. Dale Warren, invited all members of the Razorback Band to go on the trip a year in advance. The cost: ~ $1,800 per person and we as students were responsible to pay our own way. Of course I did not have that type of money, and I had to work to pay for this trip. I fundraised, asked for donations, worked extra shifts to make the payments and made sure I was going on this trip!

A fun day exploring in Dublin, Trinity College, Pub hopping and shopping with friends!

Spring break finally rolled around in March and we are off on our trip! Since it was a large group of us going, about 150 Band Members, we were divided up on 3 different flights, all taking off from Tulsa, OK, our nearest big airport from Fayetteville at the time. The Band met up in Heathrow, before all hopping over to Ireland and taking buses to Limerick, as our first stop on our tour. Well, travel plans don't always go as planned. Somewhere along the first leg of our trip, some flights were delayed and we had a time sensitive performance due in Limerick, a pep rally soon after all of our arrival. Upon arrival at Heathrow, there was some last minute shuffle based on instrumentation.

Irish pub somewhere Dublin with a yummy Irish Coffee

Kensington Garden Park with my friend Marie

Long story short, the Colorguard band members switched our seats so more instrumental band members could get to Limerick with the rest of the band for the first scheduled performance. The next available flight remaining for the Colorguard contingent was to Belfast, then hop on an impromptu mini-bus to drive through the night from Belfast to Limerick.

Once we made it to Belfast, all bags were thoroughly searched and I thought we would never get out of the airport. Our first stop was some small diner outside of Belfast and they had homemade Irish stew on the menu. We were all starving and to this day I remember that damn stew and how great it tasted. It was the best meal after a crazy 12-18 hours of traveling!

Tower Bridge photo op with my friend Heather

We rode our mini bus across the night through Ireland, about a 5 hour drive and the next morning arrived in Limerick to a happy greeting with the rest of our Razorback Band members at breakfast with fermented orange juice, yum! We finished out our stay in Limerick with a parade, then onto Bunratty Castle with a fun dinner and dancing with the whole band.

Buckingham Palace

We also visited Blarney Castle and the Blarney stone. I opted to not put my lips on a heavily kissed area and keep my lips to myself, that day at least! Driving through the countryside of Ireland to each stop proved all the rumors, this country is beautiful! Next was Dublin for the St. Patrick's Day parade, which is an awesome experience! During 1997 it was estimated the parade had about 500,000 spectators watching along the parade route, which is around 6 miles of marching.

It is quite the workout!

Hard Rock Cafe, being total American Tourists, LOL

The St. Patrick's Parade is a beast of beautiful floats, costumes, bands, music and people everywhere. Once the parade was over we had the rest of the evening and the next day to explore and tour Dublin. What a cute and picturesque city with many colorful doors, awesome pubs and super friendly people.

After Dublin, we hopped over to London for our last 2 days of our trip. Of course I wish we had longer in London to roam around, but it was a great intro in this awesome city. We rode the double-decker buses, went all over, hit the highlights, were on a few tours, then we were set free to do our own roaming. I literally did not sleep the 48 hours we were in London! There's plenty of time for sleep later. Like when the trip is over!

Being in London for 2 days is a whirlwind and in my many stops, I found Dr. Martens store and bought my first pair of Dr. Marten shoes. These shoes are one of my favorite souvenirs I bought on this trip. I guess I could have bought Dr. Martens in the U.S. but it was way more fun finding the store and buying a pair in London.

Late night shenanigans at the gates near Parliament

Being able to roam around this city with your friends was so much fun and I wish every student in the U.S. could experience a great trip like this at some point in their education (high school or college). The memories of this trip have burned images of pure joy in my brain to last me my lifetime. And once we made it home, I literally slept for 2 days, one of the best post trip sleeps I have ever had!