Friday night

Rehearsing for the Big Gig.

An NMA reunion is like a Sousa march; a big start and a big finish separated by a lot of highlights.


One of those highlights is the Friday Night Gala. Our concert band gets better every year and can put on a dynamite performance with a minimum of preparation time. Of course we can--we're all MUs.

NMA Big Band in Concert

Our Big Band puts on a show, too. This generally turns into a dance, and why not? That's what swing was designed for.

Concert Band conductor Wilbur Smith after
another successful performance.

Eventually, the stalwarts adjourn to the lounge for a last round of jazz and sea stories.

And yet, it's not over. This evening is the Saturday Night Dinner/Dance. This often features a concert by an active duty Navy band--the highlight of four days of highlights.