Local HS band in Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
AKRON, Ohio (WJW) – The Akron St. Vincent St. Mary High School Fighting Irish Marching Band is just over a week away from embarking on an international journey for a once-in-a-lifetime performance on St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, Ireland.
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Band Director Brian Campbell said this dream trip was first announced two years ago.
“We had already done the New York St. Patrick’s Day parade,” Campbell said. “We’ve done the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parade. So, what’s next? Let’s go across the pond and go to Ireland, to Dublin, to do this parade.”
The band had to not only apply to be chosen for the trip but also needed to fundraise over $100, 000. The school received an invitation from then-Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy in 2022.
71 band members, one majorette, one Irish Dancer, and 10 alumni members will be traveling on March 15 for the performance on March 17. A large number of parents and chaperones will also be going, boosting the total to 158.
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“They get to experience the culture,” Campbell said. “We’re going to take them to restaurants, to castles, the Blarney Stone. They’re going to get to kiss the Blarney Stone. So, they’re really going to experience the whole country of Ireland.”
The students said they couldn’t be happier or more excited for the opportunity.
“Just the fact that it’s a week away we’re just so thrilled,” Senior Flute player Erika Schmitt said.
“It’s like oh my god, we’re actually going and this is not something that we’ve all been dreaming about,” Senior clarinet player Brenna Campbell said.
“The idea of getting to go and see all our hard work pay off and just have, I think they said about half a million people are expected to be there physically and then more people watching the live stream,” Senior Irish Dancer Clare Rothkopf said. “So, I think it’s just a really exciting way to kind of cap off my senior year here.”
In total, the trip will cost $276,000 for just the students to fly overseas. The trip is fully funded mostly thanks to donations from the St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Fighting Irish community.
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“To see the community, the alumni all come together to help support these kids get to Ireland has just blown my mind away,” Campbell said. “To raise over $100,000 is just, I didn’t think we could do it, but we did it.”
The students will also be performing in Akron’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 9. Campbell said he’s very proud of the fact that this will create a lifelong memory and unique experience for so many students.
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