PARIS, France — If it's a Monday night in Indianapolis, you will find a group of musicians practicing inside Ben Davis High School.
The Indianapolis Municipal Band is full of musicians and is the oldest all-volunteer community band in Indy.
"We have a couple in their 90s and other people in their 80s, and we also have a number of 20-somethings," said John Marshall, the band's director.
The band, now celebrating its 75th anniversary, typically performs in a variety of venues across Indianapolis. But these weekly rehearsals are preparing musicians for the concert of a lifetime. Their stage this summer will be a famous location known for bravery, heroism and the ultimate sacrifice.
The band was invited to perform in Normandy, France on June 6 — the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.
"We were asked to be the D-Day 80 wind band," Marshall said. "When we found out we were the band, needless to say, we are celebrating that opportunity."
Marshall, who has guided the band as director for seven years, visited Normandy last summer in preparation for the 80th anniversary performance.
"I was astounded by the French appreciation for our troops," Marshall said. "In Normandy, I've never seen so many American flags."
Marshall said his band will perform a number of songs.
"Like all of our programs, we have some up-tempo charging things, and we also have some introspective choral type pieces," Marshall said. "Great movie songs of World War II. We're going to do a couple of jazz pieces. 'Swing's the Thing' and a Count Basie piece. Big Band was in vogue in the 1940s. We want to celebrate that. We're going to end with 'Stars and Stripes Forever,' and that's actually at the request of the French."
Marshall said the band will also play a familiar song to Hoosiers.
"One of our people suggested that we honor our Hoosier heroes with 'Back Home In Indiana,'" Marshall said.
The trip to Normandy is exciting for the musicians, including a military veteran who retired from the U.S. Army and moved to Indianapolis.
"To me, it's an opportunity to honor those who served during World War II", Don Mains said. "I was privileged in my active duty to meet some of those individuals when they were at the age that I am now when they had reunions in the 80s, 90s and 2000s. During those reunions, I got a chance to meet some of the individuals who jumped in on D-Day behind the lines to prepare for the invasion."
Mains plays tenor saxophone for the Indianapolis Municipal Band and looks forward to sharing the power of music to the crowd gathering for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
"Hopefully, we can provide music for a celebration for their participation in their remembrance of the soldiers and sailors who liberated them at that time," Mains said. "Music will say things or evoke feelings that words never can."
Diggs, president of the Indianapolis Municipal Band, plays first chair clarinet. Diggs calls herself an avid historian with veterans in her own family.
"My husband was a Marine. My dad was in World War II. He was in the Army. He didn't go to Normandy but was in the Army at that time," Diggs said. "We're really excited about the trip. As it turns out, we're going to be the only band representing the United States on that particular day."
Diggs knows the power of music and the powerful place in history where these songs will be played.
"We're hoping by our playing and being there and being part of that wonderful celebration that we'll be able to bring that same emotion to the people who are there," Diggs said.
Marshall said his team of talented musicians will be ready.
"Everybody has their part. When we're performing, nobody's sitting on the bench. Everybody's in the game," Marshall said. "Freedom is not free in this battle of Normandy and all of World War II. We're honoring something great. We're revering that scenario."