High School All Americans

"Membership in the All-American D-Day Band is an earned privilege for outstanding young American musicians that also happens to be a life-changing experience.

It was an incredible honor for me to conduct the All-Americans in Washington, DC, Normandy, Brittany, and Paris, but seeing our nation's history through their eyes is something I will never forget.

They honored those of our Greatest Generation with their gift of music, felt the unabashed admiration of the French people, and gained a better understanding of the world stage."

Col. Timothy J. Holtan, US Army, Retired

“The All-American D-Day program is simply amazing. Not only does the group get the incredible opportunity to perform in iconic venues in Washington D.C., Paris, and Normandy, but the experience is a profound education in American history.

The All-American D-Day Band & Choir will be destined to be an opportunity that members will remember for a lifetime. There are few better ways to accelerate a student’s learning and expand their understanding of America’s greatest generation and what they did for the world.”

These students received so much education and appreciation focused on America’s participation in World War II. I believe it was worth more than an entire year in college.”

Col. Jim R. Keene, US Army, Retired

All-American D-Day Band & Chorus

Normandy & Paris

June 6

You could be one of the high school musicians selected from across our nation to be members of the All-American D-Day Band and Chorus, and be a part of the premier band and choir for D-Day events in the Normandy region. As musical ambassadors to France, the All-American D-Day Band & Chorus will perform the ceremonial music for the officially recognized commemoration and wreath laying ceremonies at one of Normandy's most iconic and historic WWII sites. The historic village of Sainte-Mère-Église will be the location of the band's performance in the International Salute to Liberation and lead the D-Day Memorial Parade.

Director nominations are the first step, which triggers the invitation to complete a student application.

This unique and prestigious opportunity is open to all United States high school students who meet the selection criteria, are nominated by their band or choir directors, and are selected by video audition. The All-American D-Day Band & Chorus experience will provide a once-in-a-life-time musical and educational experience, and give these All-Americans the opportunity to represent their country in these important D-Day ceremonies and events.

2 nights in DC
4 nights in Normandy
3 nights in Paris
Performance at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC
Performances at Sainte-Mere-Iglise, Concert De Liberation and the D-Day Memorial Parade. Ceremony Massed Band performance at one of Normandy's most iconic WWII sites.
Feature Performances in Paris
Tours of le Mont St. Michel, Omaha Beach, Point du Hoc, Louvre Museum, and the city of Paris

On June 6th, 1944, thousands of young men landed on the shores of Normandy, France, to launch the largest amphibious assault in world history. D-Day was the driving force behind the allied liberation of France and the beginning of the end of the Nazi tyranny that had engulfed Europe. Historic Programs is proud to be the producer of numerous officially recognized D-Day Commemoration Ceremonies and events each year in Normandy, France, and is pleased to offer this opportunity for our nation’s best high school musicians. The All-American D-Day Band will be uniformed courtesy of DeMoulin Bros. and Company, and Jupiter, Majestic and Mapex instruments are furnished by KHS America.

Additional details:

The All-American D-Day Band is open to the following instrumentation parade:

Flutes/Piccolo
Oboe (march alternate instrument)
Bb Clarinet
Bass Clarinet (march Bb clarinet)
Bassoon (march alternate instrument)
Saxophone (alto, tenor, and baritone)
Trumpet
Horn
Trombone
Euphonium
Sousaphone
Percussion (marching snare, tenor drums, bass and cymbals)

The All-American D-Day Chorus is open to the following vocal parts:

Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Bass

Additional Inclusions:

Custom music arrangements
Round trip airfare from Washington to Paris

Download 2026 Schedule, Pricing & Inclusions

Band Director:

Beth Steele, LT. Col., US Army, Retired

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Beth Steele is an experienced musician and conductor. She received her Bachelor of Music (trumpet) degree and Master of Music (wind conducting) degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She served a brilliant career as a US Army musician, with duties at The US Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, Washington, DC; Commander of the Continental Army Band, Hampton, VA; Commandant, Army School of Music, Virginia Beach, VA; US Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus, Washington, DC; and finally as the Commander of the US Army Europe Band & Chorus in Heidelberg, Germany.

While in Europe, Beth developed enduring partnerships with European musicians and was awarded the German government’s highest peacetime award of the “Silver Cross of Honor,” a first for an American Director of Music. She also led the Band & Chorus in historic performances in Moscow’s Red Square, for Her Majesty the Queen in London, and first-ever combined concerts with the National Serbian Defense orchestra.

Mrs Steele has performed on trumpet playing with numerous groups, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, New Sousa Band, Virginia Symphony, and the British Imperial Military Band.

Mrs Steele is the immediate President of the national Association of Concert Bands. She and her husband, also a retired Army musician, reside in Summit County where she conducts the Summit Concert Band and serves as the Executive Director of Music at the Summit adult band institute.

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Chorus Director:

Holly Shockey, US Army, Retired

A native of Potomac, Md., Holly Shockey grew up performing in musicals and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University. Holly spent a number of years performing in local theatres, performing such roles as Maria from West Side Story, Christine in Phantom of The Opera, Sister Leo in Nunsense, and Julie Jordan from Carousel.

Holly is a proud veteran of the Army Band where she spent 20 years performing as a soloist in just about every element of the Band. Notable performances include many White House engagements as well as the first female soloist at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 1996. Holly has been a private voice teacher for over 30 years and has worked with students in various ways throughout her life. Currently, she is a part time music minister as Memorial Baptist Church in Arlington, VA. You can catch her locally with the group, Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet, a “Manhattan Transfer” like quartet where she is the Lead Soprano. Please look for this music wherever you like to listen digitally.

Holly has sung backup for Kenny Rogers, Tom Jones, Martina Mcbride, Will Smith, Don Mclean, Usher, Bono, Foreigner, Kathy Mattea, Wayne Newton, Kenny Loggins, Sylvia McNair, Bobby Mcfarren and Dolly Pardon.

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