In fall of 2024, Marching Mizzou got invited to participate in London Band Week. Two weeks ago marked the beginning of Marching Mizzou’s travels to London and participation in this amazing opportunity. Alongside Marching Mizzou, a few American bands, including the University of South Carolina, and bands across the United Kingdom took part in London Band Week. Throughout London Band Week, there were four performances: Live in London, The London Tattoo, Palace Parade and Drumline London. With this amazing opportunity with Marching Mizzou, I was able to share my love of music abroad. Furthermore, never having been out of the country before, I got to experience a new culture.

One of the biggest differences I noticed was how much London relied on public transportation, like the tube and the double-decker buses. Public transportation was the primary way my friends and I got around the city. Another difference that stood out to me was the tipping culture. At the restaurants I visited, tipping was rarely expected. This is a big contrast from America, where tipping is very commonly expected.

Outside of our performances, my friends and I had the opportunity to visit two of London’s most well-known museums, the British Museum and the Natural History Museum. The Natural History Museum was fascinating, displaying a wide range of animals throughout history, and the dinosaur section was intriguing. However, the British Museum was my favorite; seeing parts of the Parthenon, the Rosetta Stone, and Egyptian statues in person was so surreal. I am grateful to have been given this amazing opportunity to attend London Band Week with Marching Mizzou. Being able to do what I love most in London and experiencing a new culture is something I will never forget.