Normandy Travel Update (April-2019)

Thanks for everyone's hard work this past weekend during rehearsal.  There was a wonderful turnout of people who got their uniforms and had some fellowship. Rehearsal went very well.  We also hope you enjoyed our special guests from the CAF, Commemorative Air Force in San Marcos displaying the original cockpit from "That's All Brother", the C-47 that lead the aerial invasion on D-Day in 1944.

Can you believe it?  One more rehearsal before we take flight across the big blue to France.  Keep practicing the music and we'll see you on May 4th at 1:00 pm.  We'll have more announcements coming very soon on hotels and other travel items.  Thank you!

KEY DATES:
Rehearsals:  May 4, 1:00 pm
Remind App:  April 30 (please install by this date)
Equipment/Instrument Shipment Fee:  DUE APRIL 30

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INSTRUMENT SHIPPING (Mike Haecker – Chair)

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There have been questions regarding the Equipment and Instrument Shipping Fee and we hope to clear this up.  We have had this information posted on our website since last fall, and the fee was applied in late February once we knew from our shipper what the total shipping expenses would be.

The $100 instrument shipping fee per person (all performers AND guests) will need to be paid no later than April 30, 2019, thru the MyTour Account.  If you received a recent invoice from Historic Programs, this fee is still due.

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Q. How will LHAB be handling instrument and equipment shipments?
A.  From the onset of agreeing to this trip, the steering committee agreed that an equipment fee would be expensed to ALL travelers to help cover the enormous cost of shipping large instruments and equipment to France.  The committee felt it was the only fair process to evenly spread the fee to everyone because without the band attending this event, we wouldn't be shipping these items.  This was also the process when LHAB attended the London NYD Parade event in 2014-2015.

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Each person is being expensed an equal charge of $100/per person and the total shipment fee is spread across all travelers, not just performers. The $100 instrument shipping fee per person will need to be paid no later than April 30, 2019.  This fee will appear on your MyTour Account. 

Any outstanding balances should be paid in full by April 30, unless you've made arrangements with Historic Programs.

​ALL INSTRUMENTS MUST BE PROPERLY TAGGED AND LABELED WITH A STURDY SHIPPING TAG WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION PER AIRLINE SHIPPING GUIDELINES:  NAME / ADDRESS / CITY-STATE-ZIP / PHONE / EMAIL.

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For any equipment or instrument questions:  michael.a.haecker@gmail.com
 

REMIND APP

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LHAB has recently joined the Remind messaging system.  LHABRemind will be used to send important information about our events via text message and allow members to respond directly to the officers with questions or comments.   

We are asking each traveler (performer AND guest) to join LHABRemind on your phone for the Normandy trip.  Participation is free of charge, and your name and phone number will be kept completely private and secure within the system. 

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS HERE: Please install by April 30.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16TpfxrUQhu0B9gF8hdTSMKEu88bCJR3c/view?usp=sharing
 

UNIFORMS

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The final uniform distribution will be on May 4, 11:00 am - 12:45 pm and we encourage you to pick up your uniform at this time if you were unable to on April 13.  If you’re unable to attend this rehearsal, please find someone in your local area to pick up and bring home to you.  We’re trying to save on unnecessary uniform shipping costs. For those out of state, we are arranging shipments starting this week.

If you have to pick up from LHB Band Hall, you MUST make an appointment in advance.  Call the band hall office to make an appointment with Delia Botbol,  512-471-3329, or email her at dtbotbol@utexas.edu.
 

PASSPORTS

YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A PASSPORT!.  Please update your travel form if you need to.  Historic Programs will require your passport information for travel with our group  We are sending a final list on May 1.

REHEARSALS AND MUSIC 

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Please print your own music prior to attending rehearsals, as we will NOT provide copies at rehearsal.  If you need to order a music lyre, do so now to obtain in time for departure.  We will not be using stands on the trip and will not be allowed on the cemetery grounds during performances.

May 4, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.  Longhorn Band Hall
(save to Google calendar)

 
KEY LINKS TO CONTACT US:  

Updates:  http://www.lhab.org/normandy-info          
Questions:  lhabnormandy@gmail.com
Facebook page @LonghornAlumniBand

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Normandy Travel Update (Jan-2019)

 

 

Hello LHAB Normandy Travelers:

We’re now just over 4 months away from embarking upon our 75th D-Day Anniversary trip to Normandy.  We know this is quickly approaching and we're getting excited and the anticipation is growing exponentially.  There is much to cover in this blast, so please read carefully; for example, the instrument section is very detailed.  There are forms that are time sensitive we'll need you to submit.

We'll begin sending regular updates approximately every 3-5 weeks depending upon the nature of information.  We also have people from all over the United State and the world making this trip with us, even a few planted right in Paris.

LHAB and Historic Programs hopes to deliver an experience you'll remember for the rest of your life and this is an event of historic proportions that we are extremely honored to represent our country, state, and university be a part of history.

Trip Itinerary - Click to review the trip day-to-day schedule with Historic Programs (subject to change)

KEY DATES:
FINAL PAYMENT DUE TO HISTORIC PROGRAMS:  FEB. 15, 2019
Passports:  NOW
Rehearsals:  April 13;  May 4
Travel Questionnaire Form:  DUE FEB 15
Medical Release Form:  DUE MARCH 15
Final Equipment/Instrument Shipment Fee:  DUE MARCH 15
 
ACTION ITEMS FOR LHAB MEMBERS AND GUESTS:
We require a travel form and medical release form to be completed by all travelers and guests.  For minor children traveling with LHAB parent, please submit separate forms as their parent/guardian. 

Before submitting forms, it will help you save time to gather your passport, insurance, and emergency contact information to expedite entering information.  

If you have flights arranged by Historic Programs, you should have received preliminary flight information already, please use that info for the form.  

All forms submitted will be automatically emailed to form recipients email with an EDIT button should any updates be required after the forms are originally submitted, and those answers can be edited at a later date by the traveler.

TRAVEL INFORMATION & QUESTIONNAIRE FORM
ALL travelers must complete this travel information form required by LHAB and Historic Programs and submit by February 15, 2019.  You will receive an email copy of your submitted form answers.
Click to submit:  TRAVEL INFORMATION QUESTIONNAIRE.   

MEDICAL RELEASE FORM
ALL travelers must complete this medical release form and we must receive by March 15, 2019.  Parents/guardians of minor(s) please submit on their behalf.  You will receive an email copy of your submitted form answers.
Reminder: Medical insurance is NOT included as part of the trip fee.  Medical insurance is similar to travel insurance and is a choice for you to make. Please research and use the company you feel best suits your needs.  HTH Travel Insurance is an example to use.
Click to submit:  MEDICAL RELEASE FORM 

 
PASSPORTS

IF you have not yet obtained your passport, proceed ASAP to secure your passport.  DO NOT WAIT - ACT NOW.

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after travel to France.
Austin area:  https://world.utexas.edu/passport
Outside of Austin:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/apply-in-person.html
Questions about Passport validity or expiration dates: 
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/faqs.html

If you do not have your passport information when you complete your travel questionnaire, you will be able to edit your travel form at a later date.
 

FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS (Cherish Walser – Historic Programs)

If you have not yet notified Cherish Walser of your preference, please email her ASAP!!  Cherish Walser   cherish@historicprograms.org

Flights arranged through Historic Programs cost is already posted to your MyTour Account and final payment is due February 15, 2019.

Booking your own flight with a carrier of choice:  Flight arrival must be scheduled to meet the LHAB group between 7:00 am - 12:00 pm on June 5th at the Charles DeGaulle (CDG) airport in Paris, France. 

If you are arriving in Paris before June 5 ahead of the group, you will need to arrive at CDG on June 5 at between 9 am - 9:30 am.  We will have a designated waiting area and will be notified of exact location at a later date.  

Buses will be departing CDG airport on June 5th to Normandy.  All travelers will be notified as to their assigned to bus and hotel.
 

REHEARSALS AND MUSIC (Dr Scott Hanna - Director)

All performers are highly encouraged to attend both rehearsals if possible.  Dr Hanna is scheduling recording dates with the Longhorn Band students and as soon as we receive audio recordings, we will notify you so you can download the audio files for your own practice.  Due to logistics and other conflicts, having regional rehearsals was not possible.

April 13, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.    Longhorn Band Hall
(save to Google calendar)
This is also the date of the UT Orange/White scrimmage at 6:30 pm.  Everyone is welcome to stay and play this event if you chose.  More details to come later.

May 4, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.  Longhorn Band Hall
(save to Google calendar)

Sheet music is posted online on the LHAB website member.  Login with your credentials and go to Music tab to download sheet music.
 

If you've gotten this far - Great! 
Keep on reading - we've got lots to cover!

HOTEL ROOM ASSIGNMENTS (Jo Lyn Peters – Chair)

Jo Lyn is coordinating with Historic Programs on hotel configurations and room assignments. We will be in multiple hotels in both Normandy and Paris.  When arrangements are final, we will share more information.

If you have changes in your request or need regarding number(s) of people in rooms, roommates, etc., contact Jo Lyn directly ASAP:  jo.peters@utexas.edu or 512-635-4028.
 

INSTRUMENT SHIPPING (Mike Haecker – Chair)
 

We have contracted and arranged for equipment & instrument shipping with a well qualified international shipper, ShockWave.  Each traveler is being expensed an equal charge of $100/per person and the total shipment fee is spread across all travelers, not just performers. The $100 instrument shipping fee per person will need to be paid no later than March 15, 2019.  This fee will appear on your MyTour Account within the next 5-10 days. This fee is not part of the final balance due on Feb 15.  You may elect to pay it right away or wait to pay it on March 15. 

Additionally, if there is any remaining balance leftover after the equipment/instrument shipment returns to Austin, Historic Programs will reimburse members accounts, OR, you may elect to donate to the LHAB Charitable Fund.

We will be shipping a combination of UT-LHB instruments and personally-owned instruments. If your instrument qualifies for LHAB shipping (see below) and you wish us to ship it for you, you must communicate that plan in the questionnaire to complete at the top of this message.  This is due February 15.

If Mike has not heard from you by Feb. 15 and confirmed back to you, we will assume you will be responsible for getting your instrument to and from France and you will bear any incurred shipping or baggage costs on your own.

Due to customs regulations, if we ship your instrument for you, it will be shipped in both directions.  LHAB cannot ship your instrument back to the US if you originally traveled with your instrument to France and vice versa, no exceptions.  Personal instruments to be shipped to France by the LHAB must be at the LHB Band Hall no later than the May 4 rehearsal. At that time the instrument shipping manifest and customs forms will be finalized along with ground transport logistics and LHAB equipment crew requirements.  

Here’s the breakdown of LHAB-provided instrument shipping:

• Percussion, Tubas, Baritones, and Mellophones - The LHB and UT Austin have graciously offered up school-owned instruments for you! You will be required to check out the instrument just as we do for Band Day and it will be assigned to you and your responsibility.  These instruments will be shipped by LHAB carrier.
  
  If you play one of these instruments and strongly prefer to play your personally-owned instrument, we will need to ship it to and from France for you. If that situation applies to you, you need to communicate directly with Mike Haecker as soon as possible at the email address provided below.  

• Clarinet/Piccolos – you will be responsible for carrying your own instrument to and from France, no exceptions.

• Saxes, Trumpets, and Trombones – you may elect to ship with the LHAB shipping carrier, otherwise, you will be responsible to carry-on, bag-check or ship your own instrument to and from France.  You must complete the travel questionnaire (see above) and indicate the needed information

• Flags – we have you covered! LHAB will provide all the flags, poles, and shipping for these items to and from France.  We are purchasing break-away poles for shipment approved by flag personnel and Historic Programs.
  
  ALL INSTRUMENTS MUST BE PROPERLY TAGGED AND LABELED WITH A STURDY SHIPPING TAG WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION PER AIRLINE SHIPPING GUIDELINES:  NAME / ADDRESS / CITY-STATE-ZIP / PHONE / EMAIL.

Some important notes regarding personal instrument shipping:  
Most airlines have baggage limitations on international flights.  If you are planning on checking your personal instrument with your bags, please double check with your carrier to be certain you comply with their policies.  If you have a flight arranged by Historic Programs, please check with Cherish Walser.

Airline liability for loss and damage are set by law, and it won't be enough to replace your valuable instrument.  You may need to pay for a supplemental policy.

For any equipment or instrument questions:  michael.a.haecker@gmail.com
 

UNIFORMS (Greg Wilson – Chair)

The uniforms have arrived and will be distributed before the rehearsals. (see rehearsal date info).  We will arrange for uniform pickup between 11:30 am - 12:45 pm on both rehearsal dates.

If you have NOT ordered a uniform or paid in full, please contact Greg Wilson
 

KEY LINKS TO CONTACT US:  

Updates:  http://www.lhab.org/normandy-info
Facebook page @LonghornAlumniBand
Questions:  lhabnormandy@gmail.com

Thank you
LHAB-Normandy Steering Committee