An instrumental part of history: Coahulla Creek junior to perform in All-American D-Day Band

Feb. 20—Although William Allen has only lived in Dalton for less than a year, that hasn't stopped him from making an impact at Coahulla Creek High School.

A 17-year-old junior at Coahulla Creek who recently moved to Dalton from Idaho, Allen was recently accepted into the All-American D-Day Band, a 50-piece student concert band organized by Historic Programs, a nonprofit organization based out of Arizona.

As a part of the All-American D-Day Band, Allen, who plays the tuba at Coahulla Creek, will travel to Washington, D.C., and France, where students in the band will serve as musical ambassadors and perform ceremonial pieces of music at several historic sites, including Washington, D.C.'s World War II Memorial and two American cemeteries in France — the Brittany American Cemetery and the Normandy American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach — where thousands of American troops who gave their lives during the Normandy and Brittany campaigns of World War II in 1944 are buried.

The trip, which commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day, will take place from June 1 through June 11 and will include guided tours of Paris and Normandy. Allen and other students in the All-American D-Day Band will also visit Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, the Utah Beach American Memorial in France and landmarks throughout Paris while participating in a wreath-laying and commemoration ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and the D-Day Memorial Parade through the village of Sainte-Mère-Église, the first French town liberated by American forces during World War II.

"This means a lot, because I've had some family that fought in World War II," Allen said. "They all made it home and I'm really grateful for that. But this experience gives me an opportunity to help remember those who didn't make it home."

Students are nominated by band directors, mentors or teachers across the nation. Hundreds of students are nominated, with 50 students ultimately chosen by Historic Programs. This year, Allen is one of only three tuba players in the country who will join the All-American D-Day Band.

"I had first found out about the band during a past competition, so I Googled it and found out more about it," Allen said.

When looking for someone to consider nominating him for the opportunity, Allen turned to Sam Dodge, Coahulla Creek's band director.

"After he put the nomination through, I went and did the Lee University Honor Band because the (program judges) asked to list some honor bands that I've done in the past," Allen said. "I sent it in and about two weeks later they sent me a message asking to video myself playing a musical piece on the tuba. That was around Thanksgiving break."

When he received his acceptance notification, Allen said he was "really excited" and celebrated the achievement.

"I told my entire family about it at home and then I made some phone calls to family members who live in Idaho and Utah," Allen said.

Allen said embarking on the trip will be the first time he will visit the nation's capital.

"In Idaho, I was supposed to go on a class trip in middle school, but then the COVID(-19 pandemic lockdowns) happened, so the trip was canceled," he said. "I've not been outside the country before either. I'm just really excited to see all that there is to see."

Dodge said Allen embodies the spirit of what it means to be a Coahulla Creek Colt.

"When he asked me to fill out the recommendation, (I was asked) why he would be a good candidate," Dodge said. "I said I couldn't pick a better student to represent our community. He is in all Honors classes and AP (Advanced Placement) classes. He excels academically. He's only been here for a short time period, but he puts in a lot of extra work for band. Anything that he's a part of, he doesn't do it half-heartedly."

The All-American D-Day Band originated in 2007 as the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band, and would play halftime performances during the yearly U.S. Army All-American Bowl football game in San Antonio, Texas. In 2020, the band transitioned into a student concert band, and first began traveling to France in 2023 under the Historic Programs banner.

Historic Programs has produced several D-Day ceremonies for many decades now, said All-American D-Day Band administrator Earl Hurrey, who is a retired master gunnery sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

"We are very proud of the work we do in Normandy," Hurrey said.

Hurrey said the opportunity will be beneficial to Allen and the 49 other students across the nation in a variety of ways.

"First of all, it recognizes these students for their hard work and dedication in the same way that athletes have been recognized," Hurrey said. "There have been high school All-American athletes for several decades. There had never really been a program that recognizes student musicians in the same way, yet student musicians work just as hard."

He said the experience will also allow Allen to play among the top student musicians in the country.

"Of those 50 student musicians, we have 33 different states represented and they're all the best of the best on their instruments," he said. "William is going to be seated next to and playing with two other outstanding tuba players."

The most important aspect of the All-American D-Day Band, Hurrey said, is the opportunity to "be a part of history."

"These students are going to Normandy, France, as official representatives of the United States and represent all high school musicians at these very important ceremonies and events," Hurrey said. "They're not only going to be witnessing history, they're going to be making history. They're not just going to watch these ceremonies, they're going to participate in these ceremonies. We will take the band to Omaha Beach and they will actually stand on the sand where the battle took place and see the monuments. So, they're going to get a history lesson far more detailed and in-depth than they would in a classroom."

Allen said he feels many emotions when thinking about the trip, but generally "more excited than nervous."

"I am very excited to get to play with a lot of other really good people and I can't wait to try some of that French food, too," Allen said.

Dodge said he, along with the entire school, will be cheering Allen on as he travels in June.

"There's nobody better to represent our community and our country," Dodge said. "We're all super proud of him. I think it's an incredible opportunity. Any time students get to be involved with something bigger than their school and represent their country, it's a big accomplishment."

Hurrey, a former member of the accomplished United States Marine Band known as "The President's Own," encourages Allen to continue striving for success after the experience.

"The prestige of being an All-American is something that will remain with William for the rest of his life," Hurrey said. "Twenty years from now, he will still be listed as an All-American."