Longhorn Alumni Band
75thAnniversary D-Day
June 4-11, 2019
Dear LHAB Members,
The Longhorn Alumni Band has been offered and has accepted an invitation to perform as the main musical ensemble for the 75th Anniversary Celebrations of D-Day in Normandy, France in June 2019. As you all know, the LHAB is the largest and proudest organization of its kind in the world, and now we continue to be recognized on the world stage. We will be performing special music and all required national anthems at both public wreath-laying ceremonies at the American Cemeteries at St. James and Omaha Beach. These are very special and incredibly moving ceremonies.
Beloware the basic facts and details of the trip. We encourage you to considerjoining us. For those who participated in the LHAB London trip, this trip willbe much different, but like London, it will be incredibly rewarding. Our veryown Mel Kusin (LHB baritone) was in Patton’s 3rd Army andparticipated in the first D-Day Anniversary Parade. Mel is going! This trip isalso open to all LHB students, so the already great sound of the LHAB may get abig boost. LHB director Dr. Scott Hanna will be leading us, so get out yourhorn and start practicing!
Thetrip is organized by Historic Programs and you can see a video of past trips via the link below. Very shortly, you will receive an invitation packet containing registration and payment information from Chris Meeker with Historic Programs and we ask that you register by September 15, 2017. Your first payment is due October 1, 2017 (see below). Family and friends can go with us as guests, but only LHB and LHAB members will be performing. We will also create a link to the trip on our LHAB website that will contain additional information.
Hook’em,
Bill Phillips Joe Dahlstrom
Steering Committee - Chair LHAB President
QUICK FACTS
Purpose and plan: Perform as the main musical ensemble at various ceremonies and parades honoring those who fought and died in Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944,at Normandy, France. This is the 75th anniversary of D-Day.Countries involved include France, Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.
Tentative Trip Dates and Performances
8 days 6 nights
Departure date: Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Arrival date: Wednesday,June 5, 2019
Air Travel: Fly into Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport)
Immediately board transportation to Normandy. Itis too early to book airfare. You can book airfare on your own or through Historic Programs.
Accommodations: Rooms are double occupancy
Video: https://vimeo.com/135395629
Performances: Normandy
American Cemetery at Brittany
Town Square, St. Mere Eglise
Normandy Parade
American Cemetery at Omaha Beach
Performances: Paris
Luxembourg Gardens
The American University
Departure date: Tuesday,June 11, 2019
Paris(Charles de Gaulle Airport)
Note: different from London trip. Due to the highly limited access to Normandy, vehicle access is by permit only.Buses will be provided to all events while we are in Normandy until we return to Paris. Once we are back in Paris, your travel plans will be a bit more relaxed.
Costs
Per person costs:
$2,047Rooms double occupancy, plus airfare TBD
$2,647 Rooms single occupancy, plus airfare TBD. If you want a room for one person, it is an additional $600.
Uniforms:
Uniforms will likely be very nice specially designed Polo
shirts, khaki pants, and cap. An additional charge will be
required to purchase your shirt and cap.
Instruments:
We will also incur a charge for shipping percussion,
tubas, and other large instruments. That cost has not yet
been determined.
What’s included?
6nights first class accommodations
6 breakfasts, 6 dinners
All coach transfers
Guided tours, including Louvre and Eiffel Tower admissions
Full time escorts
All tips, except bus drivers
Registration:
Registration September 15, 2017.
Expect registration forms to be available on or before September 1, 2017.
Registration forms will provide payments schedule.
Payment schedule:
Initial $250 deposit due October 1, 2017, followed by 11 monthly payments. Payments can be by check or credit card
Refunds: There will be a schedule for amounts owed for cancellations at different times prior to the trip.
Note: We highly recommend travel insurance,as we are not able to provide refunds.
Music:
Special music will be provided, including the national anthems of other countries.
Rehearsals:
We will need to hold a few rehearsals prior to departure, the
dates, times, and locations of which will be determined later.
Rehearsals will likely be held in multiple locations.
Who Can Go With Us
Performers:
LHB and LHAB players only, including flags
No non-LHAB/LHBsub-ins
Guests:
Yes,and they will follow the same booking procedure as those performing.
Big Bertha:
NO, but she will be with us in spirit.
Feel free to reach outto anyone of us on the Steering committee. Calls are OK, but email questions are best. Once our LHAB website has a Normandy Triptab, we will direct all questions to a central location.
| Normandy Steering Committee | |
| Bill Phillips – Chair 972-740-2620 | |
| Joe Dahlstrom | |
| Sara Beth Purdy | |
| Jo Lyn Peters 512-635-4028 | |
| Scott Harmon | |
| Heather Knolle | |
| Scott Hanna | |
