Frank Mullen's very unofficial source of poop, skinny and bitching for present and former U.S. Navy Musicians.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Thanks to Melanie Leketa
As I noted earlier, Melanie Leketa pitched in to fill out our concert band's instrumentation by playing a clarinet borrowed from Terry Chesson. Everyone agrees that she did a fine job; more than one member has noted that Terry's clarinet never sounded better . . .
NMA Membership Meeting 2011
Here's the unofficial, unedited, sort-of-accurate rundown of the annual Saturday morning meeting of the members of the Navy Musicians Association:
-- President Chesson spoke on the various ways members may contribute to the NMA in addition to taking positions as elected officers. Recruiting new members, of course, is Job One; it's every member's responsibility to pass the word to potential members.Some members make financial donations to the NMA far beyond their dues. Suggestions may be forwarded to the President or other board member at any time during the year, but nobody needs a special request chit to promote the NMA.
-- Executive Vice-president continues negotiations to select a hotel for next-year's Orlando reunion. Three venues remain on the short-list, but make no mistakes--we'll be in Florida next year.
In addition, he solicited comments on the operation of this year's reunion, adding the suggestion, "If you like it, tell me; if you don't, tell Kim Holl."
-- Vice-president Kim Holl, chairman of the Nominating Committee told us that all current members of the Board of Directors had agreed to serve, if re-elected, one more term. By acclamation, with no dissenting votes, all nominees were elected to serve another term.
-- A large topic at the meeting, as well as in the corridors during the week, was the proposed cutbacks to funding for military bands. In a separate posting, I will harangue you to write to your senators.
-- On conclusion of the meeting, members were dismissed with liberty passes that expire at the 1800 social hour that precedes the annual banquet. It is hoped that this flotilla of MUs will not cause too much havoc while on the beach; this is a Navy town, and the Shore Patrol is busy enough handling active-duty problems.
-- President Chesson spoke on the various ways members may contribute to the NMA in addition to taking positions as elected officers. Recruiting new members, of course, is Job One; it's every member's responsibility to pass the word to potential members.Some members make financial donations to the NMA far beyond their dues. Suggestions may be forwarded to the President or other board member at any time during the year, but nobody needs a special request chit to promote the NMA.
-- Executive Vice-president continues negotiations to select a hotel for next-year's Orlando reunion. Three venues remain on the short-list, but make no mistakes--we'll be in Florida next year.
In addition, he solicited comments on the operation of this year's reunion, adding the suggestion, "If you like it, tell me; if you don't, tell Kim Holl."
-- Vice-president Kim Holl, chairman of the Nominating Committee told us that all current members of the Board of Directors had agreed to serve, if re-elected, one more term. By acclamation, with no dissenting votes, all nominees were elected to serve another term.
-- A large topic at the meeting, as well as in the corridors during the week, was the proposed cutbacks to funding for military bands. In a separate posting, I will harangue you to write to your senators.
-- On conclusion of the meeting, members were dismissed with liberty passes that expire at the 1800 social hour that precedes the annual banquet. It is hoped that this flotilla of MUs will not cause too much havoc while on the beach; this is a Navy town, and the Shore Patrol is busy enough handling active-duty problems.
Friday, June 24, 2011
The needs of the NMA
The Navy Musicians Association will accommodate you whenever possible; a happy sailor is a productive sailor.
Your dream sheet may list your three top reunion priorites as big band, jam session and sea stories. But remember, the needs of the NMA come first.
Singer Melanie Leketa was reminded of this when the detailer assigned her to the concert band's clarinet section.
Your dream sheet may list your three top reunion priorites as big band, jam session and sea stories. But remember, the needs of the NMA come first.
Singer Melanie Leketa was reminded of this when the detailer assigned her to the concert band's clarinet section.
Friday Afternoon Sitrep
We're still arriving. Tom Metcalf last night, Ray Ascione afternoon. It's always difficult to get officers rounded up.
Second-time attendee Pete Codispoti finished his day's work in Pennslyvania and couldn't wait one more day to leave for the reunion. He took off in his car and arrived in Virginia Beach at one in the morning, chowed down at Denny's and hung out until we woke up the next day. We were bleary eyed and coffee-starved, and Pete was ready to go.
Lee Hudson did not bring his tuba this year. I dance in the sweet rain of God's blessings.
The concert band has worked unusually hard this week. Smitty talked to the Board and wangled us an extra rearsal this afternoon. The workout smoothed the rough edges and tightened up what looks like a tremendous concert this evening.
I don't have an official count yet, but we filled all the hotel rooms. The last time I saw the sign-in sheet, well over a hundred members had registered. They're still arriving (see paragraph one). This year may bring us record attendance.
The concert will seque into a jam session tonight, no doubt. You will pardon me if I have little online this evening--I'm hoping to be busy.
Second-time attendee Pete Codispoti finished his day's work in Pennslyvania and couldn't wait one more day to leave for the reunion. He took off in his car and arrived in Virginia Beach at one in the morning, chowed down at Denny's and hung out until we woke up the next day. We were bleary eyed and coffee-starved, and Pete was ready to go.
Lee Hudson did not bring his tuba this year. I dance in the sweet rain of God's blessings.
The concert band has worked unusually hard this week. Smitty talked to the Board and wangled us an extra rearsal this afternoon. The workout smoothed the rough edges and tightened up what looks like a tremendous concert this evening.
I don't have an official count yet, but we filled all the hotel rooms. The last time I saw the sign-in sheet, well over a hundred members had registered. They're still arriving (see paragraph one). This year may bring us record attendance.
The concert will seque into a jam session tonight, no doubt. You will pardon me if I have little online this evening--I'm hoping to be busy.
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