tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-317724362024-03-14T11:23:06.396-05:00Navy LyresFrank Mullen's very unofficial source of poop, skinny and bitching for present and former U.S. Navy Musicians.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger986125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-90519743696048260142024-02-17T11:21:00.001-06:002024-02-17T11:21:39.139-06:00John Dodge Miles: "Navy Band Adventures."I'm always happy to learn about other blogs, online diaries, or other sources of Navy band memories and commentary written by MUs. NavyLyres ain't the only game in town.I've just found the Sand Hill Muse blog, hosted by former MU John Dodge Miles. It's a cornucopia of information on various subjects--just what you'd expect from a musician specializing in "electro-acoustic, computer-assisted musicUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-74070723918416097632023-11-09T19:13:00.000-06:002023-11-09T19:13:05.118-06:00Veterans Day Message from Frank It may seem odd to those who have never served in the military, but, on Veterans Day, we vets join our civilian friends and families in thanking veterans for their service. We do this because we, more than anyone, know the challenges veterans have faced.Here, CWO Terry Chesson administers the reenlistment oath to me at NETC Newport, RI in the mid-1980s. This duty station was pivotal for me Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-12777676424847683992023-06-22T22:13:00.004-05:002023-06-22T22:13:28.911-05:00We Had a Ball at the 2023 NMA Reunion.And jam sessions, sea stories, concerts, dancing, and a powerful performance by the USN Fleet Forces band. Our newest members included a few active-duty MUs and some salty MUs who enlisted shortly after World War II.And, oh, the stories...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-80220377194356569472023-06-17T22:00:00.001-05:002023-06-17T22:02:02.034-05:00NMA Reunion 2023: TapsTaps. 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, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-33882920299241498772023-06-17T13:12:00.000-05:002023-06-17T13:12:06.405-05:00Liberty CallWe 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 Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-79347630482411012282023-06-15T17:53:00.002-05:002023-06-15T17:53:29.998-05:00Our Ship Has SailedWhen 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, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-57548070357596430932023-06-15T15:36:00.002-05:002023-06-15T15:36:26.607-05:00A Quiet Place to WorkOur 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 Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-39377208123641474492023-06-15T15:15:00.003-05:002023-06-15T15:15:40.914-05:00Oh, the BraggadocioThe 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 Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-40535815645933476512023-06-15T11:16:00.065-05:002023-06-15T11:31:58.165-05:00NMA BlingA pair of must-have items in every fashion-consciousMU's seabag: the traditional unit cap and shirt of theNMA.
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 willtell the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-88677969551237965932023-06-14T18:22:00.000-05:002023-06-14T18:22:15.093-05:00Concert Band: Day OneFifteen minutes earlier, only onesax player had found his way tothe bandstand--but, baby, lookat 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 mystifiedUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-38879135374926404272023-06-14T15:55:00.004-05:002023-06-15T07:38:34.749-05:00Michael 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 Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-77393981324120063992023-06-14T10:48:00.001-05:002023-06-14T10:48:52.413-05:00Getting the Rust OutOkay, 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.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-45996238943247803952023-06-14T07:41:00.000-05:002023-06-14T07:42:01.725-05:00Reunion 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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-75870327036261854512023-06-14T06:30:00.000-05:002023-06-14T06:30:00.129-05:00Reunion tempo.Wednesday morning, Reunion Day 1Soon, 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 Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-31103904088108121682023-06-13T17:19:00.000-05:002023-06-13T17:19:02.895-05:00Slowly, but surely...Though the reunion begins tomorrow, the registration room--our "quarterdeck"-- opened this afternoon, and MUs began trickling in.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-71426183362156774492023-06-13T13:56:00.002-05:002023-06-13T14:03:47.290-05:00Preparing for the 2023 NMA ReunionMUs are arriving at the Holiday Inn, preparing for a few days of music, camaraderie and sea stories at the 2023 NMA ReunionIt'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.orgUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-75512134736302680492023-06-06T17:55:00.004-05:002023-06-06T17:56:09.021-05:00Packing for the Reunion--A short dramaPacking for the ReunionA play in One Actstarring Jo and Frank as ThemselvesScene: Basement laundry room. Frank is squashing clothing into an already-overstuffed suitcase. Jo enters. -----------------------------------Jo: So, are you packing some decent clothes to wear to the reunion?Frank: Why should I wear decent clothes?Jo: Because you want to look nice for the reunion.Frank: Why Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-71381793813362569152022-06-18T14:39:00.000-05:002022-06-18T14:39:37.209-05:00NMA 2022 Reunion WrapupIt has happened before. Things move so fast at an NMA reunion that I can't keep up with it all. And, suddenly, it comes to an end. Tonight will be our banquet and dance, and tomorrow morning we'll say goodbye. Over the next week, I'll have time to post much more about this reunion. So, now, with what little liberty time I have, I'll report this:Nat "King" Cole sang a song about this reunion: "Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-26839977877178969022022-06-16T07:57:00.000-05:002022-06-16T08:01:27.616-05:002022 NMA Reunion: Day 2 in Review We rehearse behind closed doors, not becausewe're keeping secrets, but because not all hotelguests want to be listening to Liberty Bell Marchwhile sipping cocktails at the bar.Thom Weller and Randy Martell.Carl Gerhard solos in Peter Graves'sPorgy and Bess medley.Wednesday, our second day in Virginia Beach:We're beginning to hit our stride, as our rehearsals exude a new sense of Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-12064541781539909832022-06-15T15:24:00.001-05:002022-06-15T15:24:27.792-05:00MUs in their Native HabitatBob "Boomer" Grindle is seen here telling a sea story to Terry Chesson. Terry responds with the same, obvious enthusiasm you or I would show in a similar situation. They're so much like you and me, those MUs.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-39376263844819154432022-06-15T07:20:00.001-05:002022-06-15T07:20:11.990-05:00NMA Reunion--Tuesday, Day One in ReviewYesterday--Day One of the 2022 NMA reunion-- began with the usual mixture of well-planed precision and low-grade chaos. The chaos was minimal because our set-up crew did a fine job of preparing our rehearsal spaces. (The concert band rehearsal room featured real music stands, borrowed from the School of Music. We did not miss our usual Rube Goldberg folding contraptions.) Because many Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-13812979191474930672022-06-14T17:33:00.001-05:002022-06-14T17:33:37.813-05:00Change 12(b)3.4In the navy, it was called the plan of the day. Here, we call it the rehearsal board. Or, the gig board. Or the schedule.Whatever you call it, it is sure to change. But, that's not a problem; we are sailors, and we know how to pass the scuttlebutt around, so everybody knows what's going on. Definitely. Sort of. Absolutely. Usually.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-77265598268367015312022-06-14T16:18:00.001-05:002022-06-14T16:18:30.298-05:00Why, Oh, Why?The Blu Bar. Again.Ashely's Bistro is our lounge, where we gather to jam and socialize. It's traditional, it's wonderful, and it's down a looong hall.The Blu Bar sits in the lobby. You don't have to wander the hotel to see who's there; you just peek into the lobby.It's convenient, so the question isn't why we hang out there. The question is:Why do I keep taking this picture? Every year I Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-10014503595507708022022-06-14T11:30:00.001-05:002022-06-14T11:30:37.647-05:00Tell Us a StoryI'm not sure whether this is a sea story or a fishing story, but Jim Richards isn't having trouble keeping his audience's attention.Enthralled by Jim's story, (L. to R.):Carl Gerhard, Dwaine Whitham, Rick JebavyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31772436.post-37376799154978021482022-06-14T09:55:00.001-05:002022-06-14T09:55:09.563-05:00Your Name Goes HereWe're underway. Rehearsal has begun, check-in has started and only one thing is missing: you.And there's still time. The hotel will maintain our special NMA group rate through the entire week. Come on down; Virginia Beach vis quite nice at this time of year.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0