Reviewed by: Pat Byington
2 Alabama marching bands to perform in France for 80th anniversary of D-Day
The annual commemoration of the anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France will feature a pair of bands from Alabama who have made the trek across the pond to take part.
Jacksonville State University’s Marching Southerners and the Boaz High School Marching Pirates will play a role in the week of events which includes:
- 80th D-Day Memorial Parade
- 2 performances as part of the D-Day 80th Commemoration Concert Series in France
- Performances at memorial services at St. James and Normandy American cemeteries
Keep reading to find out more about the events + how you can keep up with the bands’ journey.
Marching Southerners of JSU
Jacksonville State first announced its band would be a part of the ceremony back in 2022, just after winning the top honor given to college marching bands: the Sudler Trophy from the John Phillip Sousa Foundation.
The Marching Southerners have a history of performing in big events including:
- Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in London in 2012
- 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor
- 2019 World Peace Day Parade at the Vatican
You can follow along with their trip on social media by following Jacksonville State University + The Marching Southerners on Instagram.
Boaz High School Marching Pirates
Boaz High School is the lone high school marching band from the state to make the trip over for the event this year. The band announced it would be performing in the events when they got word in October 2022.
Before heading off to France, the band did one last practice in their own hometown, marching down the road from the high school to the middle school. Some of the community came out to watch and cheer on the band ahead of their big trip.
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