Friends of NSU invited to join band in Ireland in 2015

NATCHITOCHES — Alumni and friends are invited to join the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band as they participate in the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.  The 8-day tour is $2,500 per person and includes airfare, two meals per day, accommodations and some sightseeing tours in and around Dublin.  The tour will depart from Houston on March 15 and return March 22.

Northwestern State’s marching band was invited to participate in the parade, a highlight of a four-day St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin.  More than 500,000 people view the parade on the streets of Dublin and thousands more watch on television.  The parade includes international and Irish marching bands, performers, dancers and street theatre companies with colorful costumes, flamboyant performances and outstanding musical talent.

In addition to the St. Patrick’s Day parade, the package includes tours of Dublin, Trinity College, the National Museum of Ireland, Ards Peninsula, Mount Stewart House and Gardens, Giant’s Causeway, the walled city of Derry, Galway, the lakes of Sligo, the summit of Knocknarea, Rathburn Farm and the Cliffs of Moher with free time for individuals to explore on their own.

The trip is optional for band members.  No band or university funding is provided and the cost is being paid for by individual members.  The NSU band will receive no financial benefit from the trip.

For more information, contact Dr. Jeff Mathews, director of bands, at (318) 357-4450 or e-mail mathewsj@nsula.edu.