Illinois State University’s Big Red Marching Machine (BRMM) recently brought its high-energy sound and school spirit overseas, spending eight days performing and exploring across Ireland. From parading through the streets of Kilkenny to visiting historic landmarks, the experience blended music, culture, and camaraderie for the 261 students who participated March 13-18.

Junior English education major Marcie Pelphrey, from Chillicothe, has been a part of Illinois State’s marching band all three of her years and described the trip as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“We got a lot of opportunities to tour places,” said Pelphrey. “We toured Belfast, we got free time in Galway, we got a bus tour in Dublin. We went to the Titanic Museum, and did a tour with EPIC, which is about Ireland’s history, like the potato famine.”

One of the most memorable moments for the band came in Kilkenny, where BRMM performed as the sole group in a local St. Patrick’s Day parade. “That was probably one of my favorite experiences,” said Pelphrey. “It’s just a small town, and you get to have that unique type of environment. The whole parade was us. You could hear it echo from the other side of the town.”

Though in Ireland, the band didn’t shift to traditional Celtic songs. Instead, they stuck to what they do best: big sound and high energy.

“We played the marching band’s favorites, which are Old Town Road and Fireball,” said Pelphrey. “They knew Fireball. They got with us, especially with how we take it down when we march, and we get down low to the ground—they just loved it. The energy that we bring with the song is what they loved.”

Behind the scenes, the trip was the result of months of preparation. According to Dr. Mack Wood, associate director of bands and director of the Big Red Marching Machine, planning began with an application process for the international performance opportunity.

“Once we were accepted, we contracted with Bob Rogers Travel, who built a detailed itinerary for us,” said Wood. “The university approved it, and then students could sign up. The cost was about $4,000 per student, and many chose to fundraise to cover the cost.”

In addition to the 261 students who participated, 10 staff members joined the trip to provide supervision and support. The itinerary balanced sightseeing with structured performances and free time, allowing students to explore cities like Dublin and Galway while also learning about Irish history and culture.

For Pelphrey, being in the band has meant more than just performing—it’s created deep bonds and opened new opportunities. “It’s brought me a great community and lots of friends,” she said. “I always know I have somebody to be able to talk to and lean on, because of the environment we have with the marching band.”

That sense of belonging inspired her to take on leadership roles, both within and outside of BRMM. “I joined a music sorority because of it, Tau Beta Sigma, and I’m on our exec board,” she said. “I’m going to be running our marching band competition next fall.” Pelphrey currently serves as vice president of band festival operations.

Even though she’s majoring in English education, Pelphrey hopes marching band will remain part of her life after graduation, “whether it’s helping with the bands that I end up teaching at the school or just taking pictures—I love photography and it’s become one of the things that I enjoy a lot about the marching band here,” she said.

Wood noted that trips like these are planned every four years, giving every member the chance to travel during their time in BRMM. While the next destination hasn’t been decided yet, he emphasized the lasting impact of these experiences.

“Everywhere we went, people talked about how great the students were, how respectful they were,” said Wood. “It’s just really neat to get to work with a group that travels well and represents the University well.”

For Pelphrey and many others, the Ireland trip was more than just a performance. It was a celebration of connection, growth, and shared passion.

“We create a really good environment for people to feel welcome,” Pelphrey said. “The energy that we bring—people feed off that. You can just see it in how the crowd reacts. That’s what makes it so special.”