Auburn University Symphonic Band tours Italy

Every four years the Auburn University Symphonic Band has traveled to a different part of the world, including China and Ireland. This year, the symphonic band is on a 10-day tour of Italy during the university's spring break.

"Part of my mission at Auburn is to get the students to experience the global world and especially the music outside of the United States," said Director of Bands Rick Good.

The band is scheduled to perform at the Chigi Palace in Ariccia, home of the Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy program, the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome and the Gubbio Theatre in Gubbio. Other highlights of the trip include a visit to the Coliseum, Vatican City, Florence and Venice.

"The musical significance of Italy is incredible," said Good. "In the fall, the students learned many classic overtures from various operas. It only seems natural to travel to Ariccia because the students always hear about our campus, but they've never experienced it or the Italian culture."

The participants traveling abroad include 82 students and 16 staff members. This trip was planned in conjunction with Auburn University's close relationship to the town of Ariccia and the Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad program.

"We've been very fortunate to have the president, the provost, the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and the dean of the Samuel Ginn College Engineering help make this trip possible," said Good.