Merrimack College’s Marching Band has played in various arenas across the nation. It had never, until recently, performed internationally.
That changed at the end of November as about 40 current and alumni members of the band traveled to Belfast, Northern Ireland to support the men’s hockey team in the 2024 Friendship Four. Director of Bands Paul Geresy said there was no way the band would miss this opportunity.
“The moment it was announced that the hockey team would be participating in this tournament, we immediately started planning how to get the band there,” he said. “International travel has always been one of my major goals for the band, and it was incredibly rewarding to finally make it happen.”
The band wasted no time showing off their skills, going right from the plane to perform in a parade and concert in the town of Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. The trip also included a Thanksgiving banquet, tours of historic castles and the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland and a visit to St. Mary’s University College Belfast where members of the music program performed traditional Celtic music and dance.
“It was really enriching for the students,” Geresy reflected. “Seeing how other college programs operate and watching our students share their talents in a global setting was equally rewarding for me.”
The band also played a prominent role in the Friendship Four hockey tournament. They led a procession featuring Belfast’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Micky Murray, and around 600 local elementary and middle school students into the SSE Arena.
At the start of the hockey tournament, the band led a procession that included the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, and around 600 local elementary and middle school students into Belfast’s SSE Arena.
Jacob Symmes ’25, a trombone player, said he had the time of his life.
“There were a lot of people in such a big environment,” he said. “I get really competitive so it was fun to chant back at other teams and make a big deal out of things. We were so welcomed everywhere we went and played. It was a lot of fun to experience a different culture.”
