Thanks to Melanie Leketa

As I noted earlier, Melanie Leketa pitched in to fill out our concert band's instrumentation by playing a clarinet borrowed from Terry Chesson. Everyone agrees that she did a fine job; more than one member has noted that Terry's clarinet never sounded better . . .

NMA Membership Meeting 2011

Here's the unofficial, unedited, sort-of-accurate rundown of the annual Saturday morning meeting of the members of the Navy Musicians Association:

-- President Chesson spoke on the various ways members may contribute to the NMA in addition to taking positions as elected officers. Recruiting new members, of course, is Job One; it's every member's responsibility to pass the word to potential members.Some members make financial donations to the NMA far beyond their dues. Suggestions may be forwarded to the President or other board member at any time during the year, but nobody needs a special request chit to promote the NMA.

-- Executive Vice-president continues negotiations to select a hotel for next-year's Orlando reunion. Three venues remain on the short-list, but make no mistakes--we'll be in Florida next year.

In addition, he solicited comments on the operation of this year's reunion, adding the suggestion, "If you like it, tell me; if you don't, tell Kim Holl."

-- Vice-president Kim Holl, chairman of the Nominating Committee told us that all current members of the Board of Directors had agreed to serve, if re-elected, one more term. By acclamation, with no dissenting votes, all nominees were elected to serve another term.

-- A large topic at the meeting, as well as in the corridors during the week, was the proposed cutbacks to funding for military bands. In a separate posting, I will harangue you to write to your senators.

-- On conclusion of the meeting, members were dismissed with liberty passes that expire at the 1800 social hour that precedes the annual banquet. It is hoped that this flotilla of MUs will not cause too much havoc while on the beach; this is a Navy town, and the Shore Patrol is busy enough handling active-duty problems.

How much fun can a guy take?

The needs of the NMA

The Navy Musicians Association will accommodate you whenever possible; a happy sailor is a productive sailor.

Your dream sheet may list your three top reunion priorites as big band, jam session and sea stories. But remember, the needs of the NMA come first.

Singer Melanie Leketa was reminded of this when the detailer assigned her to the concert band's clarinet section.

Friday Afternoon Sitrep

We're still arriving. Tom Metcalf last night, Ray Ascione afternoon. It's always difficult to get officers rounded up.

Second-time attendee Pete Codispoti finished his day's work in Pennslyvania and couldn't wait one more day to leave for the reunion. He took off in his car and arrived in Virginia Beach at one in the morning, chowed down at Denny's and hung out until we woke up the next day. We were bleary eyed and coffee-starved, and Pete was ready to go.

Lee Hudson did not bring his tuba this year. I dance in the sweet rain of God's blessings.

The concert band has worked unusually hard this week. Smitty talked to the Board and wangled us an extra rearsal this afternoon. The workout smoothed the rough edges and tightened up what looks like a tremendous concert this evening.

I don't have an official count yet, but we filled all the hotel rooms. The last time I saw the sign-in sheet, well over a hundred members had registered. They're still arriving (see paragraph one). This year may bring us record attendance.

The concert will seque into a jam session tonight, no doubt. You will pardon me if I have little online this evening--I'm hoping to be busy.

Pride in service

The party's over.

The reunion continues, but the good times have screeched to a halt.

Lee Hudson has arrived, hauling along with him his bottomelss seabag full of personality defects and character flaws.

Last night in the lounge

Wow.

The place was packed and we played fast, slow, loud and late.

And those of us on the bandstand had no more fun than those in the crowd.

All the Things You Are

The NMA's new secret weapon

With its capability of virtually-instant deployment and low manpower-requirements, the NMA's new Fast Attack Stealth Duo has proven its worth. Shown here in the lobby of the Holiday Inn, the John Derby--Max Murray FASD demonstrates the unit's value as a financially self-sustaining operation.

How many times do I have to tell you?

I've told you on Leger Lines.

I've told you at Navy Lyres.

I've told you face to face:

Check. The. Rehearsal. Board.

NMA Unit Band # 57

As always, the strength of a Navy band is its capacity to break down into smaller ensembles.

The key to a succsessful performance . . .

. . . is to finish strong.

You can lie to yourself if you don't listen carefully

Yesterday, I promised myself I'd go to bed early. Really.

I've been telling myself that for days, but always wound  pushing midnight with friends in the lobby, the lounge or at the pool. Yesterday, I meant it. Really.

I left the jam session at nine while the band was still cooking. Came upstairs, posted here a bit and decided to hit the rack. But a quiet voice said, "Things are probably winding down in the bar. Why not go say goodnight?"

Saying goodnight turned into saying "yes" to a few tunes with the band. Just a few, Frank.

A few tunes turned into an entire set. Finally said goodnight and came upstairs to hit the rack.

Which I was ready to do, except--well, CZ was downstairs, I'd hardly seen him since he arrived. Chet had showed up, too, and I'd heard that John Derby was playing bass.

So there it was, eleven at night--well, slightly after eleven, so no more of this running back to the lounge. I'd made a promise to myself: I was going to bed early.

Really I was.

Morale

Hail fellow, well met

Particulary on the first day of the NMA reunion, you'll see old pals embracing each other, hearts overflowing with fond memories.

The scene depicted here, however, is not intended to resemble the emotions that will be flowing through my sould when Lee Hudson finally shows up.

Finally--the downbeat

Sometime in the morning, the stands are set up, the piano plugged in and the music passed out, and we're ready to play.

Well, almost.






First, Rehearsal Director John Branam has to get us all playing on the same page. At the same time. On the same chart.

But when he does, the same thing happens that happened last year, and the year before that, and the year before that:

We swing.

Greetings between juniors and seniors

I saw my first master chief, J.J. Connor, getting out of his car outside the hotel.

"Hi, master chief," I said.

"Hi, Mullen," he replied.

Mullen. He still calls me 'Mullen.'"

It sounded good. Real good.

Ahoy there, shipmate

"Frank," called the guy walking into the bar with a trumpet case. "How are you?:.

"Good to see you, Carl." I said. "I just heard you were coming."

We got to talking about friends in common, duty stations and the Navy days. LT Carl Gerhard is still having his Navy days. He's the XO of the School of Music and a card-carrying, jazz-blowing member of the NMA. Our brief greeting was typical of those between many NMA shipmates, typical in the sense that we were glad to see each other, had a lot to talk about and had never met before.

Shakedown day

The roughes day of a cruise or road trip is the first. The band hasn't found its routine yet. Gremlins and glitches join forces to thwart progress. But, no doubt, we'll hit our stride--as soon as we find a three-pronged plug, the stand lights and the 2nd alto book.

The calm before the storm

At 0800, the Holiday Inn was still quiet. But hidden in a corner was a vivid reminder of the pandemonium to come.

The pre- kickoff

So I stroll down to the lounge at eight last night, figuring a few early-birds will probably show up, play a few tunes and hit the rack early.

I was wrong.

The bar was packed, the band was cooking, and the whole place stayed packed and cooking for hours. I stuck it out until eleven, when it hit me: this is fun, but I can't stay up all night--I gotta go to a reunion tomorrow morning.

Film at eleven, or whenever I get a moment. 

What a difference a year made

A lot of reunion time is spent finding out what your shipmates have been up to.
In Dave Whitaker's case, it's interesting to see what he's down to.

Dave and his doctor had a little talk--perhaps the sort discussion we used to call a "counseling session"-- after last year's San Antonio get-together. Obviously, Dave listened.

My old shipmate has lost 100 pounds this year. He's so fit and energetic that, when I first ran into him yesterday, I didn't recognize him.

Until he started talking. Some things haven't changed.

Tension in the bar

The equipment is set up in the lounge. The place is packed. Horn players are roaming the room like sharks.

Drummers and bassists are also present. They are safe from attack, but their time is limited.

Because, sooner or later, a pianist will walk in. The critical mass will be achieved. The sharks will descend upon him, some forcing him onto the bandstand while other pull trumpets from cases and altos from gig bags.

Then one will utter the words of doom that will trap the rhythm section for the evening:

"'Don't Get Around Much Anymore,'" key of 'C,' sax has the pickups, one, two, three, four, one."

For the style-conscious MU

As always, the fashion-conscious MU will find a broad selection of NMA garb available for sale in the registration room.

This year, however, brings something I particularly prize: the time-honored, simple unit cap. A basic blue cover with unit name and logo emblazoned in gold, it's just like those worn by millions of Navy vets who take pride in their service and still honor its traditions.

Just like us.

Welcome aboard.

The NMA's highly-skilled staff of registrars sits poised to welcome you to the reunion with a friendly smile, a hearty hello and an endless stream of haranguing, harassment and general disparagement.

Report to the quarterdeck

The NMA doesn't really have a quarterdeck, so you don't have to remember which comes first--saluting the National Ensign or saluting the OOD. But you do have remember to sign in, so we know who's here.

But even if you're a day early, you might as well sign in and avoid the rush

Back in a Navy town, for sure

Last evening, a panel truck drove by the hotel bearing a sign that said: "24-hour Tattoo Removal."

What seems like a good idea when the bartender says "Last call" doesn't necessarily have the same magic the following morning when the adjutant says, "First Call."

Morning scuttlebutt - Tues., 21JUN11

Please pardon the currently high text-to-picture ratio. The hotel's WI-FI is still awkward, and I'm posting from the business center. Of course, those who enjoy photos without Mullen Auto-Blur may be pleased by the change.

- - - - - -

As always on pre-reunion Tuesdays, the rumors about who's coming are flying around the hotel. My old neighbor, Phil Heim is expected. I lived around the corner from Phil in Fredericksburg, VA for eight years. We ran with the same crowd of musicians, gigged together occasionally, sat in at the same jam sessions and, for those eight years, never knew we had both served as Navy musicians. On active duty, you knew the whole life story of guys you'd been playing with for two weeks.
- - - - - -

The weather has been surprisingly tolerable for the last few days here in the Heat Stroke capital of Americam , the evenings notably cool as pleasant. Still, I wouldn't particlarly jump at the chance to join the School of Music Marine Element on their daily jog around the Naval Amphibious Base.

Sorry if the pace temporarily slows down

Holiday Inn amenities: first class.

Holiday Inn service: second to none.

Holiday Inn WI-FI: third world.

It's not too late to get off the fence

I met with NMA President Terry Chesson in the Holiday Inn lounge last night. Advance registrations for the NMA reunion are at or above usual levels. Since a lot of attendees register at the door, and a number of first-timers and irregulars are expected, it looks like a big one.

How about you? There's still time to say, "Honey, how important is that church potluck on Thursday night?"

Watch a great mind at work.

This year, I've decided to put extra effort into learning the names of members' spouses.

This afternoon, I ran into our rehearsal conductor, John Branam, who introduced me to his wife, Cindy. How do I remember that six hours later? Simple, since I already know they live in Indiana.

Indiana / Indians / Westerns / Western Territories / Arizona / John McCain / John and Cindy McCain / Joan and Cindy Branam.

Cindy. John Branam's wife's name is Cindy.

See how easy it is?

Heavy weather

We've taken on a bit of water today. Duh--it's summer in Virgina.

Live it up

I'm not worried about expenses here in Virginia Beach. Any number of nearby institutions stand ready to help finance the week's activivies.

Chris at the helm

Flying to the NMA reunion? Arranging transportation to the Holiday Inn is easy. Follow signs for Ground Transportation. By the luggage carousel are free phones. Dial the listed code and the desk clerk will tell you when to expect Chris or one of his fellow drivers. He'll pick you up outside and whisk you here pronto.

Oh, and be sure you don't get off at the Hampton Inn, or you'll spend the week at the annual meeting of the Association of North American Manufacturers of Synthetic Flooring Materials.

Could be fun, but their band ain't much.

A sort-of quick cup of coffee

This morning, I left my room and went downstairs to get a cup of coffee. It took me 2 minutes to get down, and 45 minutes to get back up. I ran into a couple of MUs--Jim and Stephanie Richards--and there was a lot to talk about.

Jim, Stephanie, Bob, Leon, Kim--considering that the reunion doesn't start for two more days, I've run into quite a few of us already.

This photo shot with Mullen-brand Auto-blur.
You'll be enjoying a lot of it this week.

Hotracking at the Holiday Inn

Hard as it may be to believe, the NMA is not the only group that meets at the Holiday Inn. Last night, what we think of as our registration room was the site of someone else's get-together.

The 351st has now left, and the NMA is moving in. This morning, I ran into Bob Leketa, Kim Holl and Leon Harris, who had just finished moving our equipment into the hotel.

Oh, what bad timing on my part. I missed all the fun.

Home, Sweet Home

I has arrived.I got in late last night and checked in the Holiday Inn. I'm still exhausted, so I may engage in a little late-morning rack time. But let me say this: When my driver dropped me off in front of the hotel, I the outside was familiar...

but, inside: wow. as NMA President Terry Chesson told us in the Leger Lines, the place has been way, way renovated. 

I'll post more this afternoon. Right now, zzzzzzzzz.

I'm out of here

I'll be leaving soon for the Quad Cities Airport for my flight to Virginia Beach--if thunderstorms don't delay or cancel my flight. I'll arrive this evening, if thunderstorms don't reroute my flight to South Orlando Municipal Airport.

Yeah, I keep mentioning thunderstorms. You would too, if you'd been looking at the weather map. But last year, tornadoes were predicted, and it turned out to be baloney. Who knows?

So, I'll be out of touch today. But starting tomorrow, I'll be posting from Virginia Beach. Although the reunion, as always, doesn't start until Wednesday, things start to simmer in advance--people start drifting in, I hear from people who have made last-minute decisions to come to the reunion and some who have sadly had to cancel, scuttlebutt--ah, welcome back to the Navy--begins to circulate the halls of the hotel.

Later.