Eastern Michigan University Marching Band plays in Hong Kong

What began as an email that looked like spam turned into an international opportunity for 16 members of Eastern Michigan University’s marching band.

Earlier this summer, this group of students traveled to Hong Kong to perform at several sites, including the U.S. Consulate’s Independence Day celebration, marking America’s 250th anniversary. The fully-funded trip gave many students their first experience traveling internationally — and for some, even their first time traveling on an airplane.

J. Nick Smith, EMU’s associate director of bands and director of athletic bands, said the invitation initially seemed too good to be true.

“I just deleted the email,” Smith said. “I thought it was spam.”

A follow up message revealed the invitation came from representatives of the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong. 

After discussions with university officials and the consulate, the trip became a reality. The invitation was made possible through connections between the consulate, EMU alumna Julie Eadeh, who serves as the U.S. consul general in Hong Kong and Macau, and university leadership.

Although the original goal was to bring the entire marching band, budget limitations meant only 16 students could make the trip.

“They were looking for a marching band,” Smith said. “You really can’t do a marching band if you don’t have 75 or 100 people. But they gave me a budget that allowed for 16, so I had to make it work.”

The group spent nearly a week in Hong Kong, traveling more than 20 hours to reach the city before performing at multiple venues.

In addition to the Independence Day celebration hosted by the U.S. Consulate, the students performed at the American Club, the Asia Society Hong Kong Center and Hong Kong Disneyland.

More than half of the participating students had never traveled outside the United States, and a few had never flown before. Smith believes the lessons learned overseas will stay with them long after they graduate.

“I think, in 20 years, unconsciously they’re going to have experienced another part of the world,” he said. “That will make them more appreciative of diversity. ... Perspective is the word.” 

The trip was fully funded, meaning students paid nothing to participate while spending the week performing and representing the university abroad.

Smith hopes the Hong Kong visit becomes the first of many international opportunities for the band.

“The consulate essentially invited us back,” he said. “I would love every year to go to a different consulate and represent us.”