The City School District of Albany Marching Falcons once again have been invited to France to help commemorate an important anniversary of the D-Day invasion of World War II.

Under the direction of marching band director Bryan Cady, the Marching Falcons are scheduled to be one of only two bands from around the world to perform on Omaha Beach in Normandy next June 6. The performance will be part of France’s events marking the 80th anniversary of the historic battle that changed the course of World War II in Europe.

The Marching Falcons also participated in the 75th anniversary D-Day events in 2019 (they were scheduled to perform for the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in 2021, but that trip was canceled due to the pandemic). In addition to several local performances annually, the district's marching band also has performed at St. Patrick's Day parades in Dublin, Ireland and New York City, and at the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.

You can check out the 2023-24 edition of the Marching Falcons in action this Saturday in the City of Albany's Veterans Day Parade. The parade begins at 11 a.m. on Central Avenue. 

If you would like to help support the Marching Falcons’ trip to France, donations can be made through the Albany Fund for Education. Visit albanyfundforeducation.org for more information.