Mustang Band D-Day Trip Update

April 25. 2022

The Mustang Band is proud to represent the United States of America at the D-Day Memorial Ceremonies in Normandy, France in early June, 2022. The ceremonies and the entire experience will be unforgettable and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all who participate.

If you are traveling with us, or have a family member traveling with us, regular email updates will be sent. If you have donated to help fund the trip, we are extremely grateful.

Below is an updated schedule. Daily activities are subject to change, but the overall schedule is set. If you have any quesitons, email Tommy Tucker, Interim Director, at ttucker@smu.edu.

(Daily schedules subject to change)

TUESDAY, MAY 31

· Move into SMU Residence Halls (if needed)

· Lunch and Dinner provided

· Afternoon meeting, evening rehearsals

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1

· Morning and afternoon rehearsals

· Lunch and Dinner provided

· Evening: Transport to Cinépolis Luxury Theater Victory Park for private showing of “Saving Private Ryan”

THURSDAY, JUNE 2

· Depart for France (time TBA)

FRIDAY, JUNE 3

· Arrive in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Meet tour manager at baggage claim. Retrieve luggage, clear customs and board motor coach. Lunch on your own.

· Transport to Normandy. Visit to Arromanches. Enjoy the D-Day 360 Museum and film “in the round”.

· Check into hotel (Mercure Saint Lo).

· Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

SATURDAY, JUNE 4

· Breakfast provided

· Tour other D-Day sites including Pointe du Hoc and Utah Beach. Lunch on your own.

· Transfer to St. Mere Eglise; tour the town and perform as part of the Musical Salute to Liberation in the town square

· Late afternoon D-Day Memorial Parade

· Dinner stipend provided

· Return to hotel for overnight

SUNDAY, JUNE 5

· Breakfast provided

· Morning transfer to American Cemetery at Brittany

· Performance and Ceremony at the Cemetery in honor of the American veterans of WWII

· Transfer to Mont St. Michel; tour this medieval town and fortress abbey

· Lunch on your own

· Free time in Mont St. Michel

· Return to hotel

· Dinner at the hotel; evening free

MONDAY, JUNE 6

· Breakfast provided

· Morning transfer to American Cemetery at Omaha Beach

· Performance at the International Ceremony in honor of Allied veterans of WWII

· Lunch on your own

· Depart for Paris

· Arrive in Paris; Check into hotel (Mercure La Defense)

· Dinner provided

TUESDAY, JUNE 7

· Breakfast provided

· Morning guided tour of Paris

· End tour at Montparnasse Tower for a visit and beautiful view of Paris

· Lunch on your own

· Free afternoon in Paris

· Dinner provided

· Return to hotel for overnight

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8

· Breakfast provided

· Visit the Louvre Museum

· Lunch on your own

· Possible performance at Luxembourg Gardens; otherwise, afternoon for optional sightseeing and souvenir shopping

· Farewell dinner in Paris

· Overnight in hotel

THURSDAY, JUNE 9

· Breakfast provided

· Morning departure for Charles De Gaulle International Airport

· Depart for USA (schedule TBA)

· Retrieve luggage, clear customs and return to SMU campus

· Trip completed; HUBBA!