Greetings! We are so glad you have decided to join us as we represent not only Southern Methodist University, but the United States of America at the annual D-Day commemoration events in France. The ceremonies and the entire experience will be unforgettable and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all who participate.

First and foremost, please note that the trip is still scheduled, and the Mustang Band will participate in the D-Day Memorial Ceremonies; however, due to many mitigating factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are postponing our trip from June 2021 to June 2022. While we are very hopeful about the future with vaccine distribution underway and case counts going down, many uncertainties remain, and with the 2021 travel dates only a few months away, we feel postponing to 2022 will allow for a more complete experience for students and guests who will be traveling and participating in these special events.

 

You are sure to have questions. Please see the enclosed FAQs; hopefully, your answer will be there. If you have any additional questions, you may contact Tommy Tucker, Interim Director of the Mustang Band at ttucker@smu.edu.

 

Thank you for your continued support of Southern Methodist University and the Mustang Band. We look forward to a wonderful and safe event next June.

 

Sincerely,

 

Tommy Tucker

 

The Mustang Band was invited to be part of the D-Day Memorial Parade in Sainte-Mère-Église in Normandy, France where they will proudly be the official band performing during the ceremonies held at the American Cemetery in Brittany and the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. Mustang Band members and alumni, along with their families, are invited to join the Mustang Band in France.

Please see below for more details on how you can join and/or support the Mustang Band on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

MUSTANG BAND D-DAY TRIP FAQ'S

 

When will we know the exact dates of the 2022 trip?

We have not been informed of other bands who may be joining the Mustang Band in 2022, but it is likely that other groups will be participating.

 

I’m a senior and graduate in June 2021. Can I still participate in the trip?

If you have already signed up and paid to participate in the trip, you may still participate at the student rate. If you are a senior who is graduating and you have not signed up to participate previously, you may still do so but it will be at the guest/alumni rate.

 

I had made a decision not to participate in the June 2021 trip, either due to concerns about COVID or due to another conflict. However, I would now like to take part in June 2022. Is it too late to sign up?

You may still sign up for the trip. Please contact Tommy Tucker, Interim Director of the Mustang  Band, at ttucker@smu.edu.


Given the postponement, can more people from SMU now sign up to go?

Yes. Both students and guests may still sign up to participate; however, the final deadline to indicate interest in participating in the 2022 trip will be September 15, 2021. If you are interested in attending and have not previously registered to attend, please contact Tommy Tucker, Interim Director of the Mustang Band, at ttucker@smu.edu to learn more about pricing and payments.

 

I am already on the list and would still like to go, and I have already made some payments. Will the payment schedule and/or amounts be adjusted? And if so, what are the new due dates and amounts?

If you have already signed up to participate, you will need to complete your payments as originally indicated.

 

I can no longer go on the trip with it being moved to 2022. Can I get my money back?

Yes, you may receive a refund by contacting Tommy Tucker, Interim Director of the Mustang Band, at ttucker@smu.edu

 

Will other universities or groups who have also not been able to attend be joining the SMU Mustang Band in 2022?

We have not been informed of other bands who may be joining the Mustang Band in 2022, but it is likely that other groups will be participating.


JUNE 1-2, 2022

Arrive at SMU. Check into SMU housing (TBD), meetings and rehearsals.

JUNE 3, 2022

Depart for France

JUNE 4, 2022

Arrive in Paris

Travel to Normandy

JUNE 5, 2022

Memorial Parade in Sainte Mere-Eglise

Visit Pointe du Hoc and Utah Beach

JUNE 6, 2022

Performance at American Cemetery Brittany

Visit Mont. St. Michel

JUNE 7, 2022

Performance at American Cemetery Omaha Beach

Depart for Paris

JUNE 8, 2022

Guided tour of Paris

Dinner and evening in Montmartre

JUNE 9, 2022

Visit Louvre

Sightseeing and farewell dinner

JUNE 10, 2022

Depart for Dallas

Trip Payment Site

NOVEMBER 1, 2020

$300 trip deposit due

MARCH 1, 2021

$300 trip payment due

NOVEMBER 1, 2021

$300 trip payment due

MARCH 1, 2022

Final payment due (approximately $800)

 

Donate to the Mustang Band D-Day Trip

If you are not attending the trip, but would like to donate to the Mustang Band D-Day Trip, please provide that information here.

FIRST PAYMENT DUE UPON ENROLLMENT

$200 due upon trip enrollment

OCTOBER 15, 2020

$300 trip payment due

MARCH 1, 2021

$300 trip payment due

OCTOBER 15, 2021

$300 trip payment due

MARCH 15, 2022

Final trip payment due (approximately $1000)

Other Notes

The total ground package of approximately $2100 includes double occupancy hotel, breakfast and dinner daily, all necessary fees and ground transportation. Airfare is not included in the above payment schedule. You may use our airline carries (cost and carrier TBD) or procure your own tickets. When student arrival time is determined for landing in Paris you will be given an arrival window to arrive at CDG. For security reasons, travel to Normandy must be via motor coach with the band.

An individual donation of $500 or a family donation of $1000 to the Mustang Band D Day Trip must be paid in order to travel with the band.

DECEMBER 15, 2020

25% penalty

DECEMBER 15, 2021

50% penalty

MARCH 15, 2022

75% penalty

APRIL 5, 2022

100% penalty