NMA Reunion 2023: Taps

Taps. Taps. Lights out. All hands return to their racks and maintain silence about the decks.

Taps.

We have dined together, danced together, and played together one last time. The 2023 reunion of the NMA is now completed.

It moved at light speed; it always does. We meet on Wednesday morning, get coffee, then stroll down the hall to our first rehearsal.

And too soon, it is over. Tomorrow morning, we'll hop in cars and on planes, returning home with memories that will sustain us until we meet again.

I'll be traveling for a few days, Upon my return, I'll hope to post more about the 2023 reunion. But, now:

Taps. Taps. Lights out. All hands return to their racks and maintain silence about the decks.

Taps.

Liberty Call

We play a lot at an NMA reunion, and that playing involves rehearsal. After a few days of hard work, liberty is in order. 

This morning, we held our Membership Meeting, at which we passed the word, solicited questions, and elected a board of directors. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner, dancing, and making our final goodbyes.

So, this afternoon, we're on liberty, a few hours to rest, see the sights, talk with friends, read a newspaper. We've earned some time off.

But not too much time off. After all, this is Virginia Beach, where the path to Navy music begins, adventure calls, and danger lurks around every bend.

Our Ship Has Sailed

When a Navy ship departs at 0900 on a Wednesday morning, everybody is aboard. The rare latecomer will find his berth in a convenient brig.

When an NMA reunion launches at 0900 on a Wednesday morning, most of us are aboard. But, some can't make it at that time. Families, jobs, and community commitments all compete for our time. So we understand that some members will arrive later in the day, on Thursday, or even on Friday night. No report chits are issued--just a hearty "Welcome aboard, shipmate." 

A Quiet Place to Work

Our Legal Affairs Advisor, Bill Sterck, keeps the NMA on the straight and narrow path. And, as our Parliamentarian, he ensures our business meetings are run in an orderly manner, in accordance with Robert's Rules of Mutinous MUs.  

So, no lawyer jokes here, not a single one. Although, I would point out that anyone who needs a place to concentrate would be better off at a Metallica concert or amphibious assault training beach than at an NMA reunion.

Oh, the Braggadocio

The chatter. The bleating. The incessant jawboning, blathering, and blatting of rehashed tales of glory and derring-do. Day after day, night after night, 24/7.

It. Never. Stops.

And why should it? We came here to share our stories. 

A reunion is a constantly-replenished exchange of tidbits of misinformation. Spouses call them lies. Psychologists call them delusions of grandeur.

We call them sea stories.

NMA Bling

A pair of must-have items in every fashion-conscious
MU's seabag: the traditional unit cap and shirt of the
NMA.  

Of course, a touch of modernity is always welcome.
Our flashy, up-to-date shirts burst forth with a 
 stylish flash that marks the modern MU as a "with it," 
devil-may-care liberty hound.
 

Sporting this item on your roadster will
tell the world exactly who you are: a
seasoned MU with a License to Thrill.

Concert Band: Day One

Fifteen minutes earlier, only one
sax player had found his way to
the bandstand--but, baby, look
at us now.

Preparing for the first rehearsal of the NMA Concert Band is tense. Will we have any flutes this year? What if no tuba players show up? Can a muted sarrusophone cover the heckelhorn solo in Fanfare From Overture to March Triumphant of the Gladiators of the Mystic Nobles?

Ray looks mystified; someone from
the percussion section--probably
Jim Richards--must have asked a
deep question.

We needn't have worried this year. By the time conductor Ray Ascione was ready to give the afternoon's first downbeat, most parts were covered. And, before we'd rehearsed three numbers, more members had straggled in, and our instrumentation was complete.

Sixth position? No problem for our
experienced trombone section.

Complete, but not large--at least not yet. Wednesday's band is generally smaller than the band we wind up with on Friday night, as not all members can come for the first day. But, even during this first rehearsal, our band sounded, well, great. A couple more rehearsals (and a few more nights of sea stories and jazz) will have this band ready for a performance we'll talk about for a long time.  

 

 

Michael Durig

 Yesterday brought us a sight you won't often see at an NMA reunion: a guitarist.

Michael Durig arrived for his first reunion. He's been wanting to come for years, but, you know how life is---it tends to get in the way of our plans.

However, it worked out this year, and we're glad to have Michael with us. Not just because he's a guitarist, but because he's a good guy, a shipmate, a fellow MU.

Oh, and he also plays F horn in the concert band.

Getting the Rust Out

Okay, so maybe we're not at the best of our game at 0900. It's been a long time since our lives revolved around Morning Colors at the flagpole and First Period concerts in the gymnasium.

But by the time we got to Hayburner, things were starting to swing, and Someone to Watch Over Me captured the sweet air of romance.

I will not discuss Cha Cha for Judy.

Reunion 2023: Anchors Aweigh!

Let go all lines. Underway! Shift colors! Secure the special sea detail. Set the regular underway watch.

The 2023NMA Reunion now begins.

Reunion tempo.

Wednesday morning, Reunion Day 1

Soon, the party begins, but I'm glad I got here early.

An NMA reunion begins on a Wednesday morning at andante and accelerates to moderato by day's end. With each passing day, the tempo picks up as more members arrive. By Friday night's concert, latecomers have arrived with new stories, and the tempo has moved up to vivace. 

There's so much to do, so many friends to talk to, newcomers to meet, music to play. Sometimes a reunion ends and I feel I haven't had a complete conversation all week.

So I enjoyed the last two slow, pre-reunion days. I had plenty of time to spend with Ken Davenport. My old assistant leader from Newport came to his first reunion last year, and we hardly had time to say "hi." But now, we've caught up on things.

Similarly, I spent an hour yesterday with Ray Ascione, my boss during a tour on staff at SOM. If I hadn't been here before the reunion hurly-burly kicks in, I would have missed this opportunity.

This is not to say I don't like the nutso speed of our reunions. I love it. But it's nice to have a chance to warm up your horn before the tempo kicks off.

It's not too late for you to join us. The hotel still has some rooms saved for us. You don't have to be here while things are still moderato; you can show up for the Saturday prestissimo.

I now have time for a cup of coffee before heading down below; it's about to get wild around here. 

It is perfectly acceptable to begin shooting the 
breeze before the reunion officially begins.

Slowly, but surely...

Though the reunion begins tomorrow, the registration room--our "quarterdeck"-- opened this afternoon, and MUs began trickling in.

Preparing for the 2023 NMA Reunion

MUs are arriving at the Holiday Inn, preparing for a few days of music, camaraderie and sea stories at the 2023 NMA Reunion

It's not too late to join us. Even if you can come only for a few days, the hotel is still holding some rooms for us. Call the front desk and get your room. (Group code: NMA). If you have a problem getting a room, ask Maria Brunner, Sales Manager.

Info at www.navymusicians.org 

Tomorrow morning, this will be the most 
popular spot in the Holiday Inn.

Charley Sweet checked into the hotel this afternoon and, within
minutes, figured out where the MUs were.