Owasso Band Students Spending Spring Break In Ireland To March In Parade

More than 200 Owasso band students will spend their spring break in Ireland to march in Dublin’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.

They will also get to tour the Cliffs of Moher, the Titanic history museum and even a sheep farm.

Owasso Bands Director Chris Harris said the school was invited to perform in the parade 19 months ago. Since then, it’s been a lot of planning.

“It’s one of those things, you don’t think the trip’s ever going to arrive, and finally we’re just a few days out,” said Harris.

The last year and a half has been filled with planning and preparation, from hotels to flights to figuring out how to safely get nearly 300 students and chaperones to Ireland.

A chartered flight will leave on Sunday filled with everyone and everything needed for the performance.

Harris said a little bit of the Sooner state will be on display for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

“We’re going to play our state song,” said Harris.

For many students, this is the first out-of-country trip. The lead up has been filled with lots of practice.

“It’s been rainy, it’s been cold,” said Alexa Diaz, an Owasso senior. “One time we like froze our fingers off and couldn’t play but it’s exciting knowing what we’re going to do."

Other students are excited to explore a new country and experience a new culture.

“We started rehearsals in January for our parade routine,” said KC Hansford, another Owasso senior making the trip.

The last of the practices are set for Saturday morning. On Sunday, everyone will head to the airport Sunday for the seven hour flight to Ireland.