Reunion 2026: The NMA Is Underway.

 

I'm on the sixth floor of the Doubletree. It's boring up here. That's why I'm heading down below: the 2026 reunion of the Navy Musicians Association is not boring.

Yesterday, our Board of Directors and stalwart volunteers did most of the work that precedes a reunion. Gear must be moved to rehearsal areas, stands, and fronts set up. Computers and bling must be arranged in the Registration Room. It really is a lot of work, it's mostly done, and we can all be thankful for those who come early so we can all enjoy our time together.

Last night, we had a pre-reunion jam session in the lounge. The place was packed, and the band was hot. Such is the case when Jim Hayward picks up a tenor sax. But Jim wasn't the only one packing heat. Rick Jebavy pushed the band from the drum set, Don Junker sat at the piano, John Clemmer played a counterpoint on the alto flute, and, oh yeah, I sat in on bass. I almost lasted half an hour.

This year's reunion schedule is more varied than usual. Today, the dance band will play in the morning, the concert band in the afternoon. Tomorrow, we'll reverse that. This schedule balances the needs of both bands so we'll have time for a Friday tour of the Naval School of Music. I did three tours there as a student and spent three years on the staff; I'm looking forward to revisiting the scene of the crime. 

Enough. We've waited a year for this week, and it's time to get this ship underway.