Social Distancing in Seattle

The pandemic may have brought challenges to Navy fleet bands, but one thing is certain: they are not lying idle.

Cancellation of 2020 NMA Reunion

A message from NMA President Dwaine Whitham:

After much thought and consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to cancel the 2020 NMA Reunion in Virginia Beach. We looked at other options, such as postponing the reunion to a later date, but decided it would be in the best interests of our organization and members to cancel the event and start focusing on a great 2021 reunion. The safety, health and welfare of our members remain our biggest priority. We wish you well and look forward to seeing you in 2021!

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.

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).

 

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.

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The time has come to add rock music to our repertoire within the Navy Musicians Association, to recognize it as an integral part of what brings us together in our organization: great Navy Music. We all worked equally hard at our craft, no matter the style of music, and it was all done with class. Bravo Zulu, and hats off to those first Bandmasters who took that leap, sending rock bands on the road…..they should have been Knighted (or in some peoples’ opinion, had their heads examined). At any rate, rock bands were out there, getting it done, and recruiters were loving it!

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!