Perhaps my earlier announcement was less than clear. I do not doubt the musical excellence of this group. The U.S. Navy Band and its units have always been excellent.
Point is, I'm a fleet musician. I know how hard a fleet MU works to make his way to Musician First Class--there are no giveaways. And I particulary know what it takes for an MU1 to make Chief. I did it, and it wasn't easy.
In those days, the results came out annually: 5 MU1s promoted to MUC, and 4 of them were from the Navy Band. In a big year, 7 MU1s were promoted to MUC, 6 of them from the Navy Band.
I absolutely understand Tim Foley's high regard for members of the U.S. Navy band and the hard work they do (see his comment to my earlier post.) Coming from a fleet MU, Tim's obervations mean a lot.
But fleet MUs work hard too, and they don't get chevrons and chief's anchors handed out to them like Mars Bars and M&Ms on Halloween.
I am very aware that not all members of the U.S. Navy and Naval Academy bands walked in off the street. Many members of special bands have fleet experience. I maintain ongoing, treasured relationships with shipmates who were accepted into one of the special bands.
But I wasn't. Call me biased, if you will. The fact is, they wouldn't take me; not that that's any reason why I should feel the way I do. Certainly not. No way. Negatory on that.
Actually, I was sort of transferred to the Navy Band in 1977 for a tour that lasted approximately three hours. I won't tell the story here--it is necessary to name names--but the tale got good reviews in the lounge last year at the NMA reunion, and I'd be glad to reprise it, names and all, in Orlando. Come on down.
I'll also tell you what I thought of the Sea Chanters concert.
2 comments:
Frank: Buckwheat Zydeco is playing at the Redstone Room at 7:30 in Rock Island...
It's tempting, Tom, very tempting.
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