Morgan States’ band is the first HBCU to participate in the international memorial.
Morgan State University’s Marching Band, the Magnificent Marching Machine, will have the distinct honor of performing in the D-Day 80 Normandy Parade taking place on June 6, 2024, in Normandy, France. Next year marks the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of D-Day: The Battle of Normandy and the Liberation of France. The D-Day Parade will pay homage to WWII Veterans for their service to our nation.
The band received the exclusive invitation to participate from the Music Celebrations International. They hope to receive monetary support from donors to help fund their international trip.
“It is truly a tremendous honor and opportunity for our student musicians to travel abroad and give a performance of such historical significance. However, this honor comes at a substantial investment and the entire Morgan Community—far and wide—will need to be tapped to help raise the resources needed to underwrite travel and accommodations for our beloved band,” said Tara Turner, interim vice president for Institutional Advancement at Morgan.
Turner added, “We are looking to our alumni, donors, the business community for their support and hope that our community can make this experiential performance abroad happen for the students.
The D-Day Parade news comes on the heels of the marching band’s Juneteenth White House visit. The MSU band took part in the “Battle of the Bands” and squared off against Tennessee State University.
Morgan State and Tennessee were among four HBCUs invited to perform; the others were from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia and Fisk University in Nashville.