This February break, the SHS band embarked on a whirlwind performing and sightseeing trip to Ireland.

Leaving the Wednesday before break enabled them to get a head start on their trip.  Upon arriving, the band visited a castle in Cashel, a beautiful old ruin. “This castle was my favorite memory. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” said Victor Gao ’20.

The trip to Ireland was a combination of morning rehearsals, sightseeing afternoons, and evening performances. Their itinerary included visiting Cork, where they explored City Hall as well as Blarney Castle. The Castle is a huge ruin with scenic views of its beautiful garden with a multitude of plants and trees and a winding river.  

The band’s trip took them to Dublin and Belfast, and sightseeing highlights included visits to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College, castles with intact luxurious furnishings, and the Titanic Museum. The students were given ample time in the afternoons to wander about the cities and explore Ireland’s culture, allowing them to imagine what it must be like to live there. Performances took place in the evenings, and the students found themselves playing in acoustically designed venues, such as the Cork City Hall and Dublin City University.

The SHS band found the Irish people very welcoming. Similar to New York City, there were a lot of street performers. The students also got a good sense of the centuries of Irish heritage as they walked the historical streets.  

“I think very few people are fortunate enough to do trips like this…I’m so glad that we did this. I think for everyone involved, it was just an amazing experience. The whole band just became closer,” said Aimée Azambuya-Skoupy ’20. The band members created important and long-lasting memories with each other, bonding as a band and as friends.