Dear Normandy trip participants,
We are just over a year away from one of the most exciting and important trips the LHAB has participated in and a lot has been going on behind the scenes. Below we’ve included the latest and most up to date information available at this time.
LHAB REGISTRATION:
We have 503 registered with just under 300 players. Registration will continue to be OPEN at least through the start of the fall semester to allow students from the LHB to have the opportunity to join us (see below). The longer one waits to register the greater risk they have in securing seats on a flight.
Registration is still open. If you are aware of LHAB members who are on the fence and have yet to register, please encourage them to register soon and forward this email or link to them: REGISTER HERE
Here is a break down by instrument.
NORMANDY ATTENDEES:
Email Updates: Numerous participants are registered and we do NOT have their email address on record: Please access this MISSING EMAILS file and update your guest email addresses or email geofsloan@gmail.com and provide their full name and email address.
LONGHORN BAND REGISTRATION:
During the first few weeks of the 2018 fall semester, Dr. Hanna will distribute information to all LHB students, and we will make sure that any student that wants to go with us and can afford the trip has the opportunity. We hope that many students can travel with us. We will be playing some challenging music, so fresh “chops” are always welcome.
FLIGHT RESERVATIONS:
We are looking into the possibility of a charter flight but charter flights are generally expensive, so we do not expect to have a chartered flight. Those waiting to register flight schedules are released by airlines will run the risk of flights being filled and may have to arrive earlier so they are in Paris at the appointed Normandy departure times.
- Airline flight schedules will be released sometime around July 2018. Chris Meeker (one of the trip organizers) will advise us about group sales, arrival times and specifics of reservations.
- Using your own airline miles will require those to make their own reservations.
- Arrival to Paris is expected to be sometime on June 5, 2019. EVERYONE will need to arrive within an allotted window of time to ensure everyone has transportation to Normandy. Once airline flight schedules are released, you will see reservation information pushed out quickly.
Instrument shipping is currently being reviewed. We will be meeting with representatives from other schools that shipped via DHL or took their instruments with them on the plane
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Normandy
June 6: St. James Cemetery
Due to crowd sizes at the cemetery, we may be asked to perform for two ceremonies. Due to the stage size, the band will be limited to around 100 players. We expect to see two bands share playing duties. and we want to coordinate so everyone will have the opportunity to play ceremonies. Available space and size restraints prevent us from all performing at the same time as one ensemble
June 7: Normandy Cemetery – Official Public Ceremony
This event is the official public ceremony and will include upwards of 3,000 participants with 14 bands. June 7, 1944, is the date the cemetery became active. The only other US Cemetery to become active during a battle was Gettysburg, PA.
June 8: St-Mere-Eglise
This is an all-day event “International Salute to Liberation”. It will include flyovers and several parachute drops throughout the day. The LHAB will OPEN the ceremony with Longest Day March, we will play the national anthems from allied countries and other selected tunes. At 4:00 p.m., we will line up and be the finale for the 75th D-Day Memorial Parade.
PARIS
Performances are still being worked out for dates and locations and should be more relaxed. We will provide more information once confirmed on the next Normandy trip update email.
MUSIC:
Music is currently being assembled and cataloged by Dr. Hanna and will be made available to musicians via download. Music will include the national anthems for the US, Canada, Great Brittan and France, and a few other military-style tunes to include the Longest Day March. We will need to rehearse before we traveling to Normandy, as there may not be an opportunity once in France. We are working on the most efficient schedule and will let everyone know in advance when and where rehearsal will be. FYI, a Sunday rehearsal following Band Day in November is being discussed for those who can stay.
UNIFORMS:
We are currently working on a uniform which will include our standard black pants, white shirts and Stetson hat. A light burnt orange windbreaker or jacket and white shirt are currently under design. They will look great!
TRIP PAYMENTS:
We have numerous registrants (47) who have not yet paid their deposits as to date. If you are still on the fence, we hope this informational email helps you cross over. If you just need to pay, please do so to help confirm your attendance. Payments can be made monthly or in one full payment.
Step 1:
Click on the invitation link below, and create your account – Once you’ve entered it, be sure to remember your login and password!
https://mytouraccount.com/Account/Register?code=s75k4z1QVj6w
Step 2:
Once logged in, click on the “My Participants” tab at the top of the page. Enter all the participants that you will be paying for. Start by clicking the “Create New” link. Be sure to include yourself if you are participating in the tour. When you have entered all your participants, click the “Next” button, and you will be able to access your payment and account page. On the “Tour Selection” page, click the “Select Tour” link.
Step 3:
Make your payment. When you are ready to do so, click the “Make Payment” button on the top right of the screen on the “My Account” page. From here, you will be able to make your secure payment with your credit card. You may also pay by check or over the phone, and instructions for doing so can be found on the “My Account” page. When paying online, simply enter the amount you would like to pay for each participant in the area provided, enter your credit card information, and submit the payment. Please catch up on the payments that were due before now.
Step 4:
Follow the payment schedule found on your “My Account” page and make subsequent payments. Monthly email invoices will be sent to you! Check your spam folders – if you’re not seeing emails, contact Historic Programs, Cherish Walser at cherish@historicprograms.org.
Important note:
For subsequent logins, save this website as a “favorites” on your browser: mytouraccount.com
Reminders:
1. Please access the FAQ section on LHAB website for any questions/answers on Normandy topics.
2. If your guest would like to be on this update list, please email geofsloan@gmail.com with their name and email address, and we will add their name to the listserve.
That’s it for now! We will circulate a new update as soon as the airlines release their flight schedules. Should anyone have any questions not answered on the FAQ page, please email the steering committee lhabnormandy@gmail.com
Look for our next newsletter update in July. We will also post updates on here on our LHAB blog page.
Hook’Em,
Bill Phillips
Normandy Steering Committee Chair
Sara Beth Purdy
LHAB President
Scott Hana
Director, Longhorn Band