Tennessee Tech University alumnus Jeremy S. Martin has been honored with an Emmy Award for his original musical composition, “Normandy, 1944,” a stirring tribute created in recognition of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France during World War II.

Martin received the award from the Mid-America Regional Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in the category of “Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition/Arrangement.”

Martin, who graduated from Tech in 1997 with a degree in music education, now serves as staff music composer and arranger for the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. With more than 25 years of service in the Air Force, he has built a national reputation for his work, which has been performed by school, university and military ensembles across the country and broadcast around the world.

“Normandy, 1944” began as a personal project nearly two decades ago. Martin first drafted the piece in 2007 as a tribute to his grandfather, a World War II veteran. He later returned to the work with a renewed sense of purpose, aiming to complete it in time for the 2024 milestone D-Day anniversary.

Martin said he was stunned when his name was announced as the winner.

“When my name flashed on the screen, it honestly took my breath away,” Martin said. “I had to stop for a second—I didn’t think it was real. My wife even had to nudge me to remind me to walk to the stage.”

Martin credits Tech’s School of Music for laying the foundation that made his career possible.

“Any success I’ve had as a professional musician goes back to the mentorship and nurturing I received at Tennessee Tech,” he said. “The faculty truly invested in each student. They guided us, challenged us and did everything they could to prepare us for the world we were stepping into.”

Chris McCormick, professor of jazz studies at Tech and one of Martin’s former instructors, said Martin’s achievements come as no surprise.

“Jeremy was a great student to have at Tennessee Tech. He was a talented trumpet player and musician. In addition, he was always eager to try something new, which led him to arranging and composing,” McCormick recalled. “He is the type of person that everyone likes, and that people want to collaborate with on projects. I couldn’t be more proud of his career so far.”

Martin’s work remains closely tied to Tech. He recently arranged the Armed Forces Medley performed at the university’s Veterans Day ceremony. His arrangement of the medley is among the most widely used in the country.

As he reflects on the Emmy recognition, Martin is quick to credit those closest to him. He thanked his wife, Christy, and their children, Nickolas and Lily, for supporting the long hours his creative work demands.

“Also, a huge thanks to my colleagues in the Air Force Band of Mid-America who, like all of our airmen serving at home and abroad, are among the finest professionals our nation has to offer,” Martin added.

Learn more about Martin’s musical catalog at www.jeremysmartin.com.