Mullingar Town Band takes on America: heat, heart and history on once-in-a-lifetime tour

Mullingar Town Band has returned home after an unforgettable eight-day trip to the United States, where members took part in America’s 250th anniversary celebrations in Philadelphia, Washington DC and New York, overcoming the heatwave to deliver a series of performances the band will remember for years to come.

The trip, which ran from Thursday July 2 to Thursday July 9, was almost two years in the planning and grew out of a simple email. A circular from parade organisers in the United States, inviting bands to take part in the ‘semiquincentennial’ celebrations marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, landed in the band’s inbox and set the wheels in motion.

Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, held particular significance for the band, which has long-standing connections there through former visits to band camp roughly 25 years ago and friendships forged with American marching band families, including former band trainer Ed Otto.

Those American connections run deep. Around 20 years ago, dear friend of the band Don Martin brought his own band from Raleigh, North Carolina to visit Mullingar, Dublin and Galway, and Mullingar Town Band later made a return trip to North Carolina, where Don and his team showed extraordinary generosity in hosting the band during their stay.

That friendship has endured since, and this summer Don made the journey especially to see the band again – travelling to Washington DC to visit them, and later joining the band on stage in New York, where he played alongside members at the church concert. The band was thrilled to have Don perform with the members once more, and the reunion created special memories for everyone involved. Don was also responsible for putting the band in touch with two musicians who joined MTB on stage throughout the USA tour, Will Gray Beach on tuba and Caleb Langley on baritone/euphonium – two new Stateside friend connections for MTB.

Because America’s national Independence Day parade always takes place in Washington DC on 4th July, Philadelphia’s own 250th anniversary parade was scheduled a day early, 3 July – and organisers offered bands travelling from abroad the chance to also take part in the Washington parade on the 4th. For Mullingar Town Band, so close to both cities and with New York in easy reach, the opportunity was impossible to resist.

Big trip, long in the making

The idea of a major US tour had been on the band’s mind for some time. Having rebuilt steadily since the pandemic – a process that demanded huge commitment from members, the band director and the committee – and having enjoyed a successful trip to Germany two years ago, the band felt the time was right to think big. The band’s last visit to America had been some 22 years earlier, so the pull of a return trip, combined with the historic nature of the 250th anniversary, proved decisive. When the idea was put to the committee, the response was unanimous support, subject to careful management of fundraising alongside the band’s ongoing refurbishment project.

Interest was gauged among members in the aftermath of the Germany trip, and by May 2025, following extensive research with the parade organisers’ travel partner, Music Celebrations International, a firm decision was made to travel. More than 50 members signed up initially, and numbers eventually settled at just under 60 travelling band members, family and supporters.

The itinerary took shape gradually: Philadelphia for the 250th anniversary parade and the WAMSB (World Association of Marching Showbands and Ensembles) regional competition – the same organisation the band competed under in Germany, and which will host its World Championships in Galway in 2027 – followed by the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to march in Washington’s 4th of July parade, and finally two performances in New York: a concert in the Church of St Mary the Virgin near Times Square, and a final performance in Thomas Paine Park, Foley Square, on the morning of departure.

Fundraising

Every band member covered the cost of their own flights, accommodation, transport and meals, but the band undertook extensive fundraising to cover the transport of instruments and equipment – including the band’s large drums – which cost several thousand euro. Bake sales, raffles, sponsored cycles, concerts and a paint-and-sip evening all contributed to the effort.

The band also invested in new lightweight uniforms suited to the American summer heat, supplied by US uniform specialists Bandshoppe. True to the band’s identity, a custom jacket design incorporating the group’s traditional Celtic motifs – inspired by the Book of Kells and the Book of Durrow, and designed by Hubert Magee – was carried over into the new, more versatile uniform. The band is enormously grateful that this uniform upgrade was sponsored by the North Midlands Credit Union, Mullingar.

Memories

The trip got off to a heart-warming start on the first night. On arrival, the band travelled from New York to Philadelphia and stopped for dinner, where they were met by friends Buddy and Judy Hare, together with their daughter Marissa and her son Marwan. The Hare family, together with their daughter Megan (RIP), had opened their home to nine Irish students some 25 years ago while the group attended a band camp in West Chester, Philadelphia, and the friendship between the Hare family and the Magee family – and Mullingar Town Band more widely – has endured since. The reunion was a lovely way to begin the tour, and there was plenty of catching up and laughter before the band’s busy schedule began in earnest.

Extreme heat

Nothing could have fully prepared the band for the extreme conditions that greeted them on arrival. Temperatures on the US East Coast climbed towards 39°C, with a “feels like” temperature closer to 42°C as a heat dome settled over the region. Parade organisers had already warned travelling bands in the week before departure, putting water stations and cooling buses in place and issuing detailed advice on hydration and uniform adjustments.

Despite that preparation, safety concerns proved decisive. On the morning of Friday 3 July, word came through that Philadelphia’s 250th anniversary parade had been cancelled outright – deemed too dangerous to proceed given the risk of heat-related illness among thousands of participants and spectators, and the pressure that would place on emergency services.

The band director had anticipated some adjustments may possibly need to be made, having spoken to members before departure about the discipline required to perform safely in extreme heat, the preparation already undertaken through hydration, electrolytes and rehearsing in warm weather at home, and the trust that any decisions made on the ground would always put their wellbeing first.

That preparation paid off: when the disappointing news arrived, the band regrouped immediately.

Learning that the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Irish-Philadelphia community, who had been due to march behind Mullingar Town Band in the parade, had invited them to their clubhouse instead, the band accepted without hesitation. What followed was one of the most memorable days of the trip: a warm Irish-American welcome complete with refreshments, an impromptu concert featuring tin whistle, Irish dancing and solo singing from band members, a 20-minute outdoor rehearsal in the soaring heat, and finally an informal march around the clubhouse block and car park – the closest the band came to their Philadelphia parade, but one filled with genuine goodwill on both sides.

Disappointment struck again that evening in Washington DC, when organisers confirmed the 4th of July parade itself had also been called off on safety grounds.

Disappointed but undeterred, and with the help of their tour guides, the band arranged to meet a local band at Gravelly Park on the outskirts of the city. In a memorable moment of musical diplomacy, the visiting band – the Kittanning Fireman’s Band from Philadelphia – formed an arc and played a piece of music by way of introduction before the two bands exchanged greetings, stories and contact details.

RTÉ’s Washington Correspondent, Jackie Fox, who had recorded an interview with the band director, Kim Magee, before they left Ireland and had planned to meet them at the parade, instead joined them at Gravelly Park. Her report that evening gave families back home a welcome, unexpected glimpse of the band making the best of a difficult situation.

Washington also brought a special reunion, as long-time friend of the band Don Martin travelled especially to see members during their stay in the capital – a gesture the band was enormously touched by.

American hospitality

With two parades lost to the weather, the band made the most of the cities around them. In Washington, members visited the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum, Arlington National Cemetery for the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Lincoln and Washington memorials.

That evening, a smaller group stayed on to watch military flyovers and had hoped to see the 4th of July fireworks display, which was delayed by thunderstorms circling the city – a fittingly dramatic end to an eventful day.

In New York, the band enjoyed a harbour cruise past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, a walk along the High Line, and visits to the National September 11 Memorial and the Irish Hunger Memorial. A particularly poignant moment came when the band located the name of firefighter Jack Fanning at the 9/11 Memorial – a man whose memory the band had previously honoured through a fundraising donation arranged via Don Martin.

Members also took in an evening performance of Aladdin on Broadway, and enjoyed a memorable, purpose-built surprise: an advertisement for the band’s own New York concerts appeared on a giant screen in Times Square, arranged by tour company Music Celebrations International.

Performances

Despite the setbacks, the band still delivered the performances they had travelled for. A performance in Philadelphia, in Washington DC and a concert in the historic Church of St Mary the Virgin – affectionately nicknamed Smokey Mary’s. This concert held extra significance, as Don Martin joined members on stage to perform with them once again, more than 20 years after he first brought his own band from Raleigh, North Carolina to visit Mullingar. A final performance took place in Thomas Paine Park at Foley Square on the morning of departure, rounding off the tour on a high note before the band headed directly to the airport for the flight home.

Credit to every member

Band members bore the disruption, the heat and the long days – often up before 6.30am and not back at the hotel until 11pm – with remarkable good humour throughout. The band’s youngest member, just 10 years old, kept pace with adults throughout the entire trip without complaint. No one required medical attention beyond occasional tiredness in the heat, a testament to the preparation undertaken before departure and the care taken by adult supervisors, who organised members into small pods for safety and familiarity throughout the tour.

Thank-yous

Mullingar Town Band wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported this trip, whether through a small donation to a sponsored cycle or a more substantial contribution – every euro made a difference. Particular thanks go to:

• Mullingar and North Midlands Credit Union, sponsors of the band’s new touring uniform;

• Music Celebrations International, the band’s tour operator, and in particular Cutler, James and Sabrina, for their exceptional organisation throughout;

• Parade organisers Todd Morcocci and Lee Winters for the original invitation and their support throughout;

• Tour guides Zurima and Ariel, and later Zoe and Rob, for their flexibility in reworking the itinerary at short notice;

• Bus drivers Tyler and Michael, who went well beyond their duties, purchasing water and cooling towels for members out of their own pockets and keeping spirits high throughout long days on the road;

• The Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Irish community in Philadelphia, and the Kittanning Fireman’s Band, for their warmth and hospitality;

• Don Martin, a dear friend of the band, for travelling to Washington to visit and for joining members on stage in New York – a very special reunion after 20 years of friendship;

• Buddy, Judy and Marissa Hare, and Marwan, of Philadelphia, for making the trip to meet the band on their very first night in the USA, and for their enduring friendship with Mullingar Town Band and the Magee family since hosting nine Irish students 25 years ago;

• All the parents and adult volunteers who travelled with the band and gave tirelessly of their time looking after younger members;

• And every single person in Mullingar and beyond who supported the band’s fundraising efforts over the past two years.

The band is proud to have represented Mullingar, Westmeath and Ireland at America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, and hopes it did the town proud.

Back to work

Since returning, the band has already been back in action, performing at the Mullingar Agricultural Show on Sunday 12 July and at an Irish Marching Bands Association competition, run in association with WAMSB, in Arklow on Sunday 19 July.

Band closure notice

Following such a busy year, Mullingar Town Band will now close for the summer break until the last weekend in August, when members will return to help Westmeath Comhaltas celebrate their 75th anniversary celebrations.

During that period the band office will be checking emails and phone messages only intermittently, so anyone getting in touch should not expect an immediate response.

Recruiting New Members

Mullingar Town Band will hold a recruitment drive in September, and new members are warmly welcomed regardless of prior musical experience – no knowledge of reading music is required, though it is, of course, welcome. The band is particularly keen to hear from those interested in playing trombone, euphonium, tuba or drums. These instruments suit members aged 13 and up, although younger members will also be considered.

Recruitment for younger members starts from age 8, beginning on recorder before progressing to brass or woodwind instruments once basic reading skills are established. A recruitment evening will be held in September to explain the process in full, with details to follow on the band’s social media channels.

Anyone interested in joining Mullingar Town Band can get in touch by:

• Email: mullingartownband1879@gmail.com

• Phone/text/WhatsApp: 086 199 9497

• Website: mullingartownband.ie

• Facebook

• Instagram

Further details will also be advertised in local papers and online in the coming weeks.