On Friday night, Peter Graves conducted the concert band on his arrangement of "When a Man Loves a Woman." The combination of Peter's writing and Jim Hayward's soloing was a reunion highlight.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
2019 NMA Reunion: "When a Man Loves a Woman"
Like active-duty concert bands, ours plays far more than Sousa marches and patriotic favorites. Rearrange a few seats, call in a rhythm section, and we're ready to rock.
On Friday night, Peter Graves conducted the concert band on his arrangement of "When a Man Loves a Woman." The combination of Peter's writing and Jim Hayward's soloing was a reunion highlight.
On Friday night, Peter Graves conducted the concert band on his arrangement of "When a Man Loves a Woman." The combination of Peter's writing and Jim Hayward's soloing was a reunion highlight.
Friday, June 28, 2019
LT Patrick HIll, Navy Band Great Lakes, Quad Cities Navy Week 1019
LT Patrick Hill, bandmaster of Navy Band Great Lakes, explains the Navy's mission as it relates to midwestern agriculture and conducts "National Emblem."
Note that this is not a sunset performance; the band was up at zero-dark-thirty for this appearance and will perform this evening in Moline. Long days, hard work; Anchors Aweigh!
MUC Tommy Horner: Navy Week in the Quad Cities
Chief Musician Tommy Horner sang with our Big Band last week at the NMA reunion. This week, he's in the Illinois/Iowa Quad Cities with Navy Band Great Lakes, in support of Navy Week (June 24-30, 2019).
Thursday, March 28, 2019
2019 Reunion - The Party Has Begun
We're having a ball at the 2019 NMA Reunion in Milwaukee. Follow all the action online at Frank Mullen's blog, NavyLyres.
2019 NMA Reunion
June 18-23, 2019
Milwaukee, Wisc.
The NMA Rock Band is Here!
Are you ready to rock & roll? Dennis Allard hopes so. Here's his invitation to all those who'd like to bring some Navy rock to the 2019 reunion.

In the late 60’s and early 70’s (if memory serves) a few heady Bandmasters began implementing a different style of music into their repertoire – rock music. In the middle of, say, a big band performance, select members would remain on stage and perform a few popular “Top 40” tunes of the day – with great success, especially among younger audiences. The idea stuck and soon morphed into a new ensemble – The Rock Band! Followed by a few years of mostly good-natured ribbing between big band and rock band personnel, rock bands had earned their place.

By introducing a rock band we may attract even more members to the NMA, an always welcome idea. So – if you’re interested in performing with the rock band at reunions, email me at dallard54@gmail.com with your comments and any other info you think would add to this effort. I’m trying to get a feel for how many are interested.
Also, we can further enhance our archives by compiling lists, pictures, info, lies, rumors, etc, about Navy rock bands of the past, and of course, present. My first entries are: Free Fall, of Navy Band Pensacola, Navy Band Charleston and Navy Band Newport, and Four Star Edition, of Atlantic Fleet Band. Join in! Let’s get more history on all those great groups!
I look forward to hearing from you,
Dennis Allard, MUCS, Ret
PS – We have charts, but always need more! See you in Milwaukee!
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Make Way for the NMA

Go to the NMA website for information.
Anchors Aweigh!
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