By Sarah Stortz, The Daily Iowan
Fifty-two Hawkeyes will take their musical talent more than 4,000 miles away from home during this spring break.
The trip will be led by Professor Richard Heidel and Professor Kevin Kastens, combining students from a vast range of majors who wish to perform music abroad.
From March 11 to March 18, the musicians will tour in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and perform a series of concerts.
When he was appointed as the new director of bands in 2002, one of Heidel’s long-term goals for the School of Music was to organize a trip abroad for members of the university. The UI Symphony Band performed in Europe in 1966, and the Johnson County Landmark Jazz Band has played festivals in Europe.
A few of the sites the group plans to visit include The Irish National Famine Museum, Ballintubber Abbey, and the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin. They will also collaborate with a community band and orchestra during their performances.
Heidel said the 2008 Iowa River flood was a large reason that the project was delayed for so long; the flood destroyed the original Voxman Music Building, along with Clapp Recital Hall and the original Hancher.
With the new Voxman Music Building opening not that long ago, Heidel surveyed students suggesting the idea of a spring-break international trip and was met with overwhelming support.