Released November 05, 2004

HATTIESBURG - Dr. Gary Adam, director of The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band at The University of Southern Mississippi, has accepted an invitation for the band to participate in the 2005 Edinburgh Easter Parade in Scotland.

After Adam accepted the invitation, the tour was offered to family members of the band students, high school musicians, and other interested individuals in the community. Space is still available until January 10, 2005.

The cost of the excursion is $2,300 and includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, transfers, breakfast daily and dinner on five nights in Edinburgh, entrance fees, and more. Tour organizers also have optional tour plans.

"We have invited the public to join us on this first-ever tour to Scotland for The Pride," Adam said. "The Pride has appeared twice in Ireland for the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, and the Dixie Darlings performed in London's New Year's Day Parade in January (2004)."

Although the entire band will not be making the trip, as the participating students will be paying their own way, Adam said a good contingent "will represent the university well."

The Edinburgh Easter Festival made its debut in 2004, culminating with an Easter Sunday Cavalcade. The event took the city by storm, with performers from around the world entertaining massive crowds during the three-day extravaganza.

The Pride will participate in the Easter Parade, and a concert band will perform in the city's Festival Gala Concert at a prestigious venue in the heart of the city. In addition to these performance opportunities before international audiences, the students and tour participants will take part in educational tours of Edinburgh and surrounding historical areas.

Linda Bass, credit and online coordinator for Continuing Education and Distributed Learning at Southern Miss, will assist in organizing the community involvement aspect of the tour. She is no stranger to touring with Southern Miss bands.

"In 1999, we took a rather large contingent of students--all members of the Wind Ensemble--and adults to Rome," she said. "It was an incredible trip for everyone, and we look forward to repeating the positive experience in Scotland."

Bass was complimentary of the program that has been organized. "I've done several educational travel programs while at Southern Miss," she explained. "This package is quite extensive for the money and will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Besides, we, the adult participants, will be able to cheer on The Pride as they march in the parade."

Youth Music of the World, an organization dedicated to providing comprehensive educational and cultural travel programs for student performers, will be arranging the trip for the band and all other participants of the tour.

For more information, including registration procedures, call Southern Miss Bands at (601) 266-4990 or Bass at (601) 266-4189.

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