Travel with Purpose

Prior Lake High School Choir students turned spring break into an unforgettable musical journey across Ireland! Throughout their travels, students performed in multiple venues, using music as a powerful bridge to connect across cultures. A highlight of the trip was performing at The Lark—a state-of-the-art performance space at the Irish Institute of Music and Song—alongside Cor Linn, a local Irish youth choir. This special collaborative concert made for a truly memorable shared experience. Beyond the stage, students immersed themselves in Ireland’s rich traditions through music and dance while exploring the vibrant cities of Galway, Cork, and Dublin. An amazing experience filled with connection, culture, and music that will last a lifetime! 

They say that travel “makes the world smaller,” but it’s easy for phrases like this to become cliché or to oversimplify the truly impactful and life-changing power of genuine travel. A meaningful and educational travel experience involves authentic cultural exchange. Ideally, our students are not only learning about the music, art, food, and history of the places we visit (and what a culture Greece has!), but we design our student tours to give space to also share a bit about the US and where we come from. Hopefully our actions represent the very best ideals and highest standards of our community, but our music also represents our unique Farmington band culture. So for right now, as we journey home, our hearts are full from the memories made over the past week in Greece. And it should also be mentioned that Farmington folks can truly be proud of how our students represented our community abroad.

Eagan High School Choir students took their learning beyond the classroom, traveling across Ireland for an unforgettable, real-world experience! From performing in historic venues to connecting with musicians from around the world, students shared their voices while gaining new perspectives, confidence, and a deeper appreciation for their craft. We’re grateful our students have opportunities like this to learn, grow, and experience the world through music.

Our choir’s tour through Ireland was a well-rounded experience that balanced performance, cultural exploration, and travel. Students had the opportunity to perform in beautiful historic cathedrals, where the acoustics and atmosphere elevated the experience. The itinerary also created space for authentic cultural connections, from shared performances to informal musical moments, allowing students to engage with Ireland’s rich musical traditions in a natural and memorable way.

Beyond the performances, our tour explored iconic sites like Trinity College, the Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle, and the Cliffs of Moher, along with time in Dublin, Cork, and Galway. A highlight was performing at St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, where a Mounds View HS alum helped draw a large and enthusiastic audience for our final concert, creating a meaningful and memorable performance. Overall, the trip provided a blend of music, history, and culture that made for a rewarding and impactful travel experience!