Band to march in Ireland in 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band will march in March 2013 in one of Europe’s most celebrated parades, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.
Director Jay Gephart made the announcement during the 2011 band's first public performance Saturday (Aug. 20) at Hull Drill Field, following an intense week of band camp auditions and practice.
The parade announcement comes on the heels of the band's appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 2010. It emphasizes the tradition of travel at Purdue Bands & Orchestras, which is celebrating 125 years of bands on the West Lafayette campus in 2011.
In 2013, March 17 is a Sunday and the final day of spring break. Gephart anticipates the band's spending six days on the Emerald Isle before the parade, and the trip could include other performances. Details of the trip are still being worked out. The parade is part of a festival running March 15-18.
In its past, the marching band has performed all over the United States as well as in Canada, Colombia, Venezuela, China, Japan and various countries in Europe.
