This past June, many members of the Marching Chiefs and Alpha Omega traveled to France to participate in the 75th anniversary celebration of the D-Day Invasion in Normandy.
The trip included performances throughout Paris and a 1.5 mile-long march next to Omaha Beach, one of five beaches where the invasions took place. At the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, a small brass choir performed a tribute to those who have served in the armed forces as part of a wreath laying ceremony. In Paris, the Marching Chiefs performed at the Jardins du Trocadéro and the Parc André Citroën.
Marching Chiefs directors Dr. Patrick Dunnigan and Dr. David Plack publicly announced the trip in September.
The "World-Renowned" Marching Chiefs have performed abroad in London in 1997 as the halftime show for the London Monarchs, a member of the World Football League. Prior to that, the Marching Chiefs and other FSU ensembles traveled to Damascus, Syria, in 1974 at the invitation of the U.S. State Department.
The scale of the trip exceeded initial expectations. 150 Chiefs were projected to go on the trip, but around 390 put down a deposit when the time came. 34 sisters represented Alpha Omega on the trip.
Sister Connor Werner (Fall 2018) says, "This journey across the sea reminded the Marching Chiefs more than ever that 'World-Renowned' isn't just a title. It's a purpose we hold dearly, to share our music with the rest of the world."
Thank you to Dr. Dunnigan and Dr. Plack for their work putting this trip together, as well as Music Celebrations International for coordinating travel details. MCATDT.
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