Notes Program Vol. XIII No. 1

Notes

January - March ‘99

U.S. Navy Music Program

What’s Inside

Da Capo ............................................. 2

In the Spotlight .................................. 3

Fiscal’s Corner ................................... 4

Captain’s Comments .......................... 4

Materiel’s Corner ............................... 5

Sound Bytes ....................................... 6

From the Enlisted Detailing Shop...... 7

Navy Band Here Assails High C’s ..... 7

Medal Recipients ............................... 8

New Parents ....................................... 8

Congratulations .................................. 9

Fleet Reserve/Retirements ................. 9

Bandmaster’s Post Grad Education ... 10

From the Deputy ................................ 13

FYI ..................................................... 13

Sailors of the Quarter/of the Year ...... 14

Upcoming Events

21-24 April

All-Eastern Band &

Instrumental Clinic

School of Music

9-12 May

Navy Band Newport

 Technical-Assistance Visit

16-18 August

Navy Band Fleet Support Unit

Technical-Assistance Visit

Greetings from the Naval Advancement Center in Pensacola – The cradle

of Naval Aviation and birthplace of advancement examinations!

For many Sailors throughout the

Fleet, exam season brings on tremendous

anxiety and excess stomach acids. For

others, it’s an opportunity to excel. If

you fall in the first mentioned category,

please read on. If you think you know

all there is to know about the advancement system, please read on.

Before taking on the job as exam writer for the MU rating I felt confident I knew

most there was to know concerning the entire advancement system. I had talked to

former exam writers MUCM Brown, MUCM Carvalho, MUCS Stewart, MUCM Johnson

and MUCS Hudson, taken more exams then I care to remember, and pieced together

anything else I could find to get a clear picture of the system. It was not until I sat in the

exam writer’s chair that I found the facts and myths surrounding the advancement system. Now, with the blessing of the Commanding Officer of Naval Education and Training and Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC), I am able to

bring you the real facts.

The Purpose of the Exam

The purpose of the advancement examination is to rank qualified candidates on the

basis of technical and military knowledge at the next higher pay grade. All candidates

who take the exam are already qualified to advance to the next higher pay grade: performance standards have been proven by PARs, service in pay grade requirements have

been met, and your CO has recommended you based on your performance.

Exam Facts

Exams do NOT qualify a Sailor for advancement, which is why they’re different

from those you took in high school or in “A” school. They are designed to distinguish

the highest qualified from among all qualified candidates. Scores represent your performance in relation to everyone else in your rate who took the same exam at the same time

that you did. The exam measures your performance relative to the average performance,

whatever the average performance happens to be.

In the history of the exam, no one (MU or any other rating) has ever answered all

150 questions correctly.

Advancement Exams –

The Myths and Facts

continued on page 12

MUCM Art Brockmeier
2

Program Notes January-March ‘99

Da Capo

“Since last speaking, we’ve attended the Mid-West Band & Orchestra Clinic and the Texas Music

Educators’ Association Conference

(TMEA) - sat the FY00 LDO/CWO

In-service Procurement Board - attended the National Association of

Music Merchants Show (NAMM) -

and conducted a biennial Tech-Assist Site Visit on board Navy Band

Jacksonville.

This year’s Mid-West and

TMEA conventions marked the first

use of the Program’s new booth and

brochure, Navy Musician. If you

haven’t had a chance to see the new

booth yet, take it from me, it is impressive; new photos, graphics, and

a multi-media slide show with voiceover narration. The office did a super job designing this, and both the

brochure and booth are already generating numerous leads from applicants across the country. I’d be remiss if I didn’t say a special thanks

to two renown artists and former

Navy Musicians, Robert Jager [Director of Composition & Theory, Tennessee Technological University] and

Mike Vax [Yamaha Performing Artist and former lead trumpet player

with the Stan Kenton Orchestra] who

generously and eagerly lent their support to our latest brochure. Their

endorsements have generated more

positive exposure for Navy Music

than we ever imagined. “Thanks

gentlemen for all you’ve done, and

continue to do, for Navy Music.... It’s

greatly appreciated!”

Now, onto the latest news from

the Head-shed:

Bandmaster

Assignments

LTJG David Hodge from United

States Navy Band to Fleet Bandmaster, U.S. Seventh Fleet in April - LT

Lorelei Conrad from Seventh Fleet

to Training Officer, School of Music

in May - LT Isaac Daniel from Navy

Band Mid-South to Director, Navy

Band Jacksonville in December - LT

George Thompson from Navy Band

Jacksonville to Executive Officer,

School of Music in January - and

lastly, LCDR Mark Hammond will relieve me this Summer as Head of the

Navy Music Program (NPC-64) and

I will relieve CDR Thomas Metcalf

as CO, School of Music when he retires 1 Sep 99 after 33 years of active

Naval service. The FY-99 Postgraduate Education Program Selectee will be announced in next

quarter’s edition of Program Notes.

LDO Selections

Congratulations go out once

again to ENS(Sel) Ben Lewis

(CINCSOUTH Band) and ENS(Sel)

Joseph Dolsak (Atlantic Fleet Band)

on their selection and new duties as

Director, Navy Band Mid-South (1

Oct 99) and Music Program Liaison

Officer, Chinfo (1 Nov 99), respectively.

Senior Enlisted

Assignments

MUCS Robert Roy has Fleetedup on board Navy Band Great Lakes

to serve as Acting Senior Enlisted

Advisor upon the transfer of MUCM

Tommy Loyola. MUCM Loyola is

attending the Navy’s Senior Enlisted

Academy enroute to new duties as

Command Master Chief, School of

Music.

That’s it for now. Keep up the

good work, keep making great music, and keep striving for the best.

Until next time, my best to each and

everyone of you.”

LCDR M. E. Mitchell, USN

Head, Navy Music Program

@ DSN 882-4316

NAVY MUSIC PROGRAM

MANAGEMENT DIVISION

(NPC-64)

NAVY PERSONNEL COMMAND

MILLINGTON, TN

38055-6400

P64f@persnet.navy.mil

Assistant Commander, Navy

Personnel Command (NPC-6)

RADM J. B. HINKLE, USN

Head, Navy Music Program

LCDR M. E. MITCHELL, USN

Editor, Program Notes

MU1 J. L. PARKER, USN

“PROGRAM NOTES is published quarterly by the U.S. Navy Music Program

(NPC-64), Navy Personnel Command,

Millington, TN 38055-6400. The information contained in this publication is

official, and intended for the use, information and career planning of Navy Musicians (MU) serving both afloat and

ashore. To obtain additional copies or

for more information, contact the Editor...”

UNITED STATES NAVY

NAVY PERSONNEL COMMAND
3

January-March ‘99 Program Notes

In the Spotlight

“I don’t have to look for extra

work to do – it knows exactly where

to find me!” says Petty Officer Second Class Sterling Strickler. An accomplished musician and earlygraduate from the School of Music

as an Electric Bass Instrumentalist,

Petty Officer Strickler now holds

three primary NECs: Bassoon – Tuba

– and Electric Bass. Incredible! Just

in case that’s not enough, he’s also

building a repertoire of 18th and 19th

century piano literature for solo gigs!

Here’s what he’s accomplished since

enlisting in 1993: In early 1994,

Navy Band Newport found themselves facing an imminent shortage

in 3811s. So, having just recently reported aboard, Petty Officer Strickler

took it upon himself to learn how to

play tuba (and

play it very

well!). Next,

he went to

work on the

band’s decrepit staging

- he welded (!)

and fabricated

new and additional sections and, essentially, rebuilt the whole thing. Sometime afterwards, the band’s grand piano

needed extensive, and expensive, repair. You guessed it! Petty Officer

Strickler disassembled the grand piano, read-up on the repair nuances,

and fixed it!. No....he did NOT know

how to repair the piano when he

started (“do not try this at home!”).

He’s developed and built several mechanical improvements for the German bassoon key system, and he’s

also devoted time to being a pianotuner for the band when funding

MU2 Sterling Strickler

Navy Band Newport

wasn’t available. He’s also earned a

perfect score (300) on the last two

PRTs. In addition to his primary

duties performing on electric and

upright bass with the Northeastern

Navy Showband, he’s also currently

serving as the band’s Public Affairs

Petty Officer, Fiscal Assistant, and

Stage Manager for all special-events

and Navy Band Newport’s outdoor

Summer concert series.

So what does Petty Officer

Strickler do in his “spare time?!”

Here’s a brief listing:

- Volunteer math tutor for the

residents of Newport and Portsmouth, Rhode Island

- Volunteer with local Cub Scout

troops

- Volunteer with the on base

“Navy Choristers”

- Completed approximately 24

Navy correspondence courses (we

suspect a little “encouragement”

from his Father, retired Chief Machinist Mate Strickler, had a little

something to do with this one!)

- Restored a 1984 BMW

- Restored a 1912 Steinway piano (which is currently residing in

his NAVSTA Newport barracks

room!)

- Built four electric basses.

Navy Music salutes Petty Officer

Strickler and congratulates him on

his impressive accomplishments.

Originally from Kenai, Alaska, Petty

Officer Strickler holds a Bachelor of

Arts Degree in Music from Washington University and a Masters Degree

in Bassoon Performance from

Valparaiso University. He is single,

intends to make the Navy a career,

and currently resides in Newport,

Rhode Island.

“I don’t have to look for

extra work to do – it knows

exactly where to find me!”
4

Program Notes January-March ‘99

Fiscal Manager’s

Corner MUC John Warren

As most of you know, the Navy has recently changed

contracts for the IMPAC Purchase Card and also from

American Express to Nations Bank Travel Card. These

contracts were awarded due to the fact these vendors

promised a paperless on-line system of payment and

monitoring by 1 Dec 98. IMPAC’S CITIDIRECT and

Nation Banks EAGLS on-line systems are still not operational. We are months into both contracts and paper

is still the only method of paying the IMPAC bills. The

only report seen for the Nations Bank Travel Card is the

travel member’s bill – we are still not receiving reports

on card usage at the APC or Assistant Director level.

While waiting for the CITIDIRECT on-line system, DFAS

has improved the paper payment system by providing a

[Da Capo note - This is must reading for every Sailor! How many times

have we talked about this very subject? As musical-ambassadors, you

ARE the Navy to all who see you. Accept this role with pride, wear your

uniform with pride, and never for a

moment think you’re “not noticed.”]

I have a confession to make.

When recently returning from a TAD

trip, I did not wear my uniform. As

faithful readers of this column are

aware, I have freely exhorted on the

importance of wearing the uniform,

especially when traveling TAD.

On my return trip, I had consciously decided not to wear my uniform. Having packed light, I had

worn the single uniform I had packed

for nearly three days and it was looking fairly tired. I needed a haircut

and, well-all in all—I thought better

of wearing it for concern about not

doing the uniform honor.

This is the funny thing-I felt the

difference. In civilian clothes, while

always polite, I do not seek out lots

Captain’s Comments

March 4, 1999 Reprinted from the “Bluejacket” (NSA Mid-South)

CAPT Ann E. Rondeau, USN

of conversation while traveling.

When in uniform, however, I tend to

be a bit more openly courteous, recognizing that in uniform I am more

than a traveler. As a result, traveling

is often a more interactive experience

while I am in uniform. Here are a

few recent personal experiences from

traveling in uniform:

—While awaiting a flight, I was

approached by a wide-eyed girl and

her mother, both obviously new citizens in our country, asking about

women in the military, and, ‘Do you

think my daughter could someday go

to the Naval Academy...?” For a few

minutes there was an opportunity to

be a role model and a recruiter, all in

one.

—Awaiting a flight at Charlotte,

N.C., a man came up to me and engaged in conversation, telling me of

his granddaughter who is an active

duty Seabee in Iceland and his pride

as a former Navy man.” For a few

minutes, an American citizen who

himself served was able to tell of his

pride in his quite successful Sailor

granddaughter.

—While awaiting a fight at

Memphis International Airport, I

happened upon a new seaman recruit

who was on his way from Great

Lakes, Ill., to Yokosuka, Japan and

scared. We got to talking about what

to expect and about his anxieties. By

the time I left him he was smiling and

more reassured. For a few minutes,

I was able to support a new Sailorand perhaps one of his first memories in our Navy will be of a captain

who let him talk about why he, joined

the Navy and about his professional

dreams.

—While eating lunch in the very

nice hotel restaurant where I was

staying in Nashville, the head chef

came up to me to let me know he

served in the Navy years ago as a

cook on a flagship (during the Korean Conflict). He expressed how

pleased he was to let me know that

he thereafter attended one of the finest culinary schools in America and

became a prize-winning chef. He

wanted to know all about Sailors today and about the state of our Navy.

For a few minutes this man was able

to proudly tell me of his heritage and

I was able to tell him about his legacy

and of the Sailor of today.

fax number that scans the payment packages directly into

their financial system. Simply fax your signed prompt

pay and IMPAC account summary to (843) 746-6039.

This has already reduced payment-processing time in

half. For the Nations Bank Travel Program, we hope to

start receiving reports on card usage at the APC and Assistant Director level soon. I recently ordered Nations

Bank instruction binders for all Assistant Directors. If

you haven’t received one give me a call. Main points to

remember as always – TAD only and pay promptly. I

will forward progress reports to all Bandmasters, Assistant Directors, and Fiscal Personnel as we move closer

to both on-line systems.

continued on page 11
5

January-March ‘99 Program Notes

Materiel Manager’s

Corner As I’m sure you’ve noticed,

we’ve made the move to COLOR!

Going from black and white to a

color format is a big move, and required quite a rework of the newsletter. What you see before you is

a work in progress – moving to

color was not as easy as you may

think. Deciding on a consistent

color scheme, color correcting

photos, re-working logos, new

graphics, and making judicious

use of spot color all take a lot more

time than the simplicity of black

and white. As time progresses, you

may see subtle changes in the

newsletter – a color tweak here, a

reworked logo there, or even entirely new graphics.

For those who are curious,

Program Notes is printed totally in

house on our own equipment. The

newsletter is laid out in Adobe

Pagemaker 6.5, and printed on a

Tektronix 780 Graphics color laser printer. Graphics are edited and

color corrected in Adobe

Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

Over 150 copies of each issue are

printed and mailed to all Navy

Bands, Navy Recruiting Command, and all Navy Recruiting

Districts. Copies are also read by

MCPON, Commander Navy Personnel Command, and heads of the

other military music programs.

With your help, Program

Notes is growing into more than a

simple program newsletter and

into a professional publication

read Navy wide. As always, what

you liked, what you didn’t, errors/

omissions, or any ideas on making Program Notes a better publication can be emailed or faxed to

me at:

Email via the BBS or at

p64f@persnet.navy.mil

Fax: DSN 882-2614 or

Commercial 901-874-2614

MU1 James Parker

From the Editor

MUCS Rick Cox

I attended this year’s NAMM Show in Los Angeles, along with two of

our technical-specialists from Fleet Support. As usual, the show was both

educational and informative (fun too!). We saw just about every bit of musical

gear available in the marketplace, both mature and cutting edge technologies.

You’ll see some of these items come on-line over the next year or two. Sooner

for some things, later for others. For instance, the latest PA gear revolves

around two things: Active Speaker Systems and Digital Mixers. Truthfully,

our program is in such great shape in the PA department that new PA gear is

not high on our priority list. But, we could use a few small, super high quality

PA systems so we’ll buy a few of the new Mackie EFX twelve channel mixers

and the active speakers to go with them. On the flip side, even though digital

mixers are probably in everyone’s future, it will be a while before we need

them. Other items you’ll see will be a greater variety of trumpets available,

both Yamaha 6310Z Horns and the popular Bachs. Also, we’ve purchased

more Edwards Trombones and Selmer E Flat Baritones to replace our aging

bari fleet. So, as you can see, we’re concentrating more on instruments right

now rather than PA gear and computers (although there is at least one new

printer in your band’s future).

Are you interested in sound reinforcement? Well, the folks at Fleet Support are busy applying their expertise to the development of the new Sound

Reinforcement Technician Course. This course will be offered to interested

personnel who are recommended by their Bandmaster and have demonstrated

an aptitude in sound-reinforcement and an ability behind a mixing board. As

before, this training will cover technical knowledge and practical application

(i.e., mixing a live ensemble). We’ll be publishing specific application guidance soon but, if you’re interested, be sure to speak with your Bandmaster

and Assistant Director to let them know.

As always I appreciate your calls regarding new equipment possibilities

and it’s always great to talk to the Fleet. Your comments are not only desired

and encouraged - they’re vital. So, if you have suggestions, please call.

“Our bands make Sailors proud to be IN the Navy

– and all Americans proud OF our Navy...”

Rear Admiral J. B. Hinkle, U.S. Navy

Assistant Commander, Navy Personnel

 Command (NPC-6)
6

Program Notes January-March ‘99

Sound Bytes MU1 James Parker

ADP Equipment in

the Pipeline

Y2K – Are We Safe?

I’ve received a number of calls concerning the Year 2000 “Millennium Bug”, or Y2K for short. There seems to be a lot of confusion

about what the “Bug” actually is, and how or if it will affect us.

Contrary to some reports, our society will not fall into chaos January

1, 2000. You’ll still get paid, your car will still start, and Navy bands

will still be entertaining millions. But let’s start at the beginning.

Long, long ago, when computing was in its infancy (circa late

1950’s early 60’s), memory was very precious. In order to conserve

as much of it as possible, programmers used only 2 digits to designate the year, and in some cases only 1!

(There was probably a year 1970 or 1980

bug as well). The practice continued, and

became commonplace. To compound the

problem, the chip that keeps the correct

date and time in our PC’s (called the

BIOS) also used this method to designate

the year. The problem arises when the date rolls

over to 2000 – or to the computer or software, ’00.

It doesn’t think it’s the year 2000, but the year 1900. The computer may reset

itself to the original date the BIOS was created, set the clock for January 1,

1900, or simply crash. Incorrect results could occur whenever computer systems, software, or microchips perform arithmetic operations, comparisons or

data field sorting involving years later than 1999. You can imagine the problems with regard to bill calculations, dividends, and timers, to name a few.

How This Affects Your Band’s Systems

[Note: The systems I discuss here are ONLY those provided by NPC-64.

If you have acquired other systems from your OPCOM,

DRMO, etc., I have no way of knowing if they are Y2K

compliant.]

All of our Gateway Pentium computers are Y2K compliant, but if you have any of the old Zenith 486s, or Everex/

Unisys 386s, they are not. Tests on the 486s indicate that

although the date will not advance properly to the year

2000 (it will revert to Jan 1, 1900), it can be reset manually. If your band is using any of the 486 or 386 systems, just make sure they

are not processing date specific data. Most of these should be headed for that

big silicon graveyard in the sky as we replace them with new Pentium systems. The Marble Pentium system should be tested using software NPC-64

will provide. If it is not Y2K compliant, please contact me as soon as possible.

Although the hardware side of our Pentium computers is Y2K compliant,

the software may need to be upgraded, or “patched.” You should have received a CD by the time you read this that includes Service Release Packs for

MS Office ’97, Windows ’95, and Windows ’98. The CD also has the latest

Norton and McAfee virus scan programs, ADP reference material in PDF format, and all current music texts (Harmony, Ear Training, and Basic Music

books) in PDF format. In case you want (or need) to test any of the systems

for Y2K compliance, there is also a test program included that should work on

any machine, 386- Pentium II.

We are in the process of upgrading all of our music software.

Within the next couple of

months, you will be receiving

upgrades to Finale, Encore, and

Band in the Box. In addition,

you’ll be getting an additional

site license to install your Finale

on another machine.

Also, each band will be receiving a new printer. The Epson

Stylus Color 1520 is a wide format inkjet printer, capable of

1440x720 dpi color printing on

paper sizes up to 17”x22”. This

will be perfect for printing concert band or stage band scores

at a size that won’t strain your

eyes, and puts more than 3 measures on a page. We realize we

are short on printers, and plan

on purchasing more as our budget allows. In the meantime, we

encourage the use of printer

sharing devices to make the

most of what we do have.

Digital cameras – yes, we are

going to purchase one for each

band. Problem is, the one we

picked (Nikon Coolpix 900s) is

sold completely out. Nikon isn’t

even manufacturing any more

because it has been replaced by

a new model that is yet to appear, and unfortunately, out of

our price range. Because the

technology changes so fast, we

want to be sure to buy something that will meet our needs

for a few years, and meet our

quality standards. The current

front runner is the Kodak

DC260.

If you have any suggestions or

questions on ADP equipment,

please drop me a line or give me

a call!

Epson Stylus Color 1520

Kodak DC260
7

January-March ‘99 Program Notes

date, and have orders in hand by four

months prior to detachment. I expect

this situation to improve during the

remainder of the current fiscal year.

Career Opportunities

In the next issue of Program

Notes we will announce those Musicians who have successfully screened

for recruiter duty. We are receiving a

good number of nominations. There

are still a few “choice” NRDs left,

so if you’re interested, contact me!

We will accept nominations until 31

Mar 99. Nominations may be submitted via phone call or NAVPERS

1306/7.

We are now accepting requests

for the January 2000 Ceremonial

Conductor/Drum Major and Unit

Leader courses. Submit requests on

a NAVPERS 1306/7 to Commander,

Navy Personnel Command (NPC64) via the Bandmaster. Note:

Bandmaster’s written endorsement,

in addition to signature, is required

on all applications. For further information please refer to NPC-64 Memo

1514 Ser 64/0624 dtd 15 Aug 97. As

always, keep your duty preference up

to date, and give me a call or e-mail

if you’re a year out from PRD.

From the Enlisted

Detailing Shop

MUCM Larry McIntyre

Manning

Numbers can be deceiving! Our

current manning level, which is

somewhere around the mid 90%

range, is impressive compared to

other ratings Navy wide. However,

when your rating is 100% NEC

driven (like MUs), that can spell

trouble... Most of you have felt the

impact of continuing shortfalls in

3812 (Guitar), 3815 (Electric Bass),

3809 (Trombone), and 3806 (Trumpet). Our pipeline in these NECs also

continues to fall. I’m sharing this information because my previous articles may have colored this manning

“picture” a bit brighter than reality. I

want to assure you that we, our NPC64 staff and our MU recruiters on the

street, are doing everything possible

to improve this shortfall.

Orders

“When can I expect to see my

orders?” remains the number one

question asked when negotiating for

Permanent Change of Station Orders

(PCS). Prior to our move to

Millington, this answer was an easy

one for me to predict. As of late, this

has become more difficult. Why?

Some of the other agencies which

contribute to you receiving your orders are either not in my building or

not even on this base. In Washington, I could “walk” your orders

through. Here, I must rely on e-mail,

fax, or phone calls to these other

agencies to accomplish that task.

Even a simple order modification can

take a bit longer due to this move.

Normally, I can provide verbal notification of impending PCS orders six

months prior to your detachment

Navy Band Here Assails High C’s

By Tom Bailey Jr. ©1998, The Commercial Appeal,

Memphis, TN. Used with permission.

Uncle Sam recruited them more

for their talents with musical instruments than with the instruments of

war.

The 35-member Navy Band

Memphis sets sail at 7 tonight with a

free holiday performance, called “A

Musical Celebration of the Season,”

at Naval Support Activity Mid-South.

The audience should float on a

sea of warm, familiar melodies and

the beautifully husky voice of the

band’s vocalist, Petty Officer 3C

Rachel Olderman.

Many may not realize that playing music is not collateral duty for

Navy Band members. They are fulltime, professional musicians who

had to audition for the Navy and who

perform about 350 times a year.

But they’re also sailors who

went through recruit training and

who exercise together three times a

week to meet Navy standards for

physical fitness.

Many also may not realize the

luck of the Mid-South in having the

band headquarters in Memphis.

The downsized Navy has only

about a dozen bands left. Navy Band

Memphis serves an 11-state region

from eastern Colorado to southern

Illinois.

At a rehearsal for the show earlier this week, Lt. Isaac Daniel, band

director, entered the studio at 1

o’clock sharp to start work.

continued on page 12
8

Program Notes January-March ‘99

Our Recent Medal Recipients

Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal

MUCM Scott Davenport Navy Band Newport

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

MU2 Dave Hoffman Navy Band Jacksonville

MU2 Alex Gowland PACIFIC Fleet Band

MU2(SW) Curtis Sines PACIFIC Fleet Band

MU2 Sergio Dacol Naval Academy Band

MU2 Antonios Vatousios Navy Band Newport

MU3 Roger Starcher ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU3 Jeremy Thompson ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU2 Billy Overton Navy Band New Orleans

MU3 Melissa Koff ATLANTIC Fleet Band

Armed Forces Service Medal

MU2 David Johnson SIXTH Fleet Band

MU2 Harold Mahannah SIXTH Fleet Band

MU3 Lynn Jordon SIXTH Fleet Band

MU3 Kevin Morris SIXTH Fleet Band

Our New Parents And Newborns

Jerry Jiro Lotz, born 20 December 1998 to MU2 Scott and wife Rumiko Lotz

Jennifer Carol McCarthy, born 29 December 1998 to MU2 Joe and wife Paula McCarthy

Connor Alexander Peters, born 11 January 1999 to MU3 Steven and wife Suzanne Peters

John Andrew Gerhard, born 19 January 1999 to MU1 Carl and wife Mary Gerhard

Alana Clayton, born 6 February 1999 to MU2 Gary and wife Eleanor Clayton

Donovan Jordan Bethel, born 11 February 1999 to MU3 Dan and wife Sarah Bethel

Oscar James Evans, born 18 February 1999 to MU1 Terry and wife Kristina Evans

Emily Stevens, born 12 March 1999 to MU2 Ryan and wife Melinda Stevens
9

January-March ‘99 Program Notes

Congratulations!

Transfers to the Fleet Reserve and

Retired List

Name Date Command

MUC Ben Singleton 9905 Navy Band New Orleans

MUCS David Falardeau 9906 Navy Band Great Lakes

MU2 Mark Sleister 9906 ATLANTIC Fleet Band

To each of these Sailors we wish you “Fair Winds and Following Seas,” along with the appreciation of the

entire Navy Music Program...

To Our Newest Bandmasters

ENS(Sel) Benjamin Lewis CINCSOUTH Band ENS(Sel) Joseph Dolsak ATLANTIC Fleet Band

TAPS

MUC Henry A. “Hank” Lachenmayer, USN (Ret.) died of cancer on 9 January 1999 at his home in Oxon Hill,

Maryland. Chief Lachenmayer was 79. A Pearl Harbor survivor, he was a member of the unit band aboard USS

Pennsylvania and was topside for Morning Colors during the attack. A trombone and violin instrumentalist, he

enlisted in 1938 and served on board USS Honolulu, Wisconsin, and Bennington in addition to completing tours of

shore duty on board NAS Pensacola, School of Music, and BUPERS. He retired in July 1960 after 22 years of

active Naval service.

MUCM Gretchen Ellrod U.S. Navy Band

MUCM William Krantz U.S. Navy Band

MUCM Diana Ogilvie U.S. Navy Band

MUCM Jon Youngdahl U.S. Navy Band

MUCM Art Brockmeier NETPDTC (Exam Ctr)

MUCM Larry McIntyre NAVPERSCOM (NPC-64)

To Our Newest Master Chiefs

Fleet-MU Special-Band MU
10

Program Notes January-March ‘99

Bandmaster’s Post Graduate Education

A Student’s Perspective

LT Mel Kessler, USN

[Ed. note - Lieutenant Mel Kessler is

the FY98 Bandmasters’ Post Graduate Education Program Selectee. LT

Kessler is attending Florida State

University where he will earn a Masters Degree in Conducting. The other

universities currently approved for

Bandmasters are Northwestern and

New England Conservatory.]

Hello Shipmates. Having just

completed one semester at

FSU, I wanted to share a little

of my experience and pass on

some information you may

find useful if you decide to

apply for the Postgraduate

Degree Program.

Florida State is a wonderful school, and the faculty

and staff have been terrific.

The semester began in August with four diagnostic exams: Lower Level Theory,

Upper Level Theory, Counterpoint, and Music History.

For completion of the degree,

remedial course work is required for any exams not

passed. If remediation were

necessary, it would be at your

expense - not the Navy’s! New England Conservatory and Northwestern University have the same requirement, as do most universities.

As for me, FSU accepted six

applied credits from George Mason

University, which eliminated the requirement for trumpet lessons. Actually, I wish I could have transferred

classroom credits and taken the trumpet lessons! Florida State has very

high academic standards (classroom)

and I have done more “scholarly”

writing than I ever thought one person was capable of doing in five

months! For administrative purposes

I am attached to the ROTC Unit of

Florida A&M. I only have to stop

by once every couple of weeks to

show my face and check on mail.

They are also terrific people, and the

Chief has been very helpful.

All of the ensembles at FSU are

fantastic, and the students have to

audition for membership - first for a

particular ensemble and then for

chairs in the ensemble. This first semester I conducted the Florida Winds

(grad chamber ensemble) in three

concerts. Dr. Croft (Director of

Bands) was wonderful and gave me

ample podium time. The least

amount of time I had for any one rehearsal was 30 minutes. For all others, I had 45 minutes to an hour. I

also covered two complete rehearsals for him while he was out of town.

One was the Gershwin Rhapsody in

Blue, complete with strings and soloist. On Fridays in Conducting

Class, we all have podium time every other week to conduct a grade 3-

4 piece of music. We make up the

ensemble with a few unwilling

undergrads pulled from practice

rooms and the lounge. We verbally

critique each other with, Dr. Croft

giving the last critique. This is where

all the words of wisdom spill forth (all

his little secrets are shared).

During this semester, I did my

chamber recital complete with biographical and analytical program

notes: Beethoven’s “Octet in E-flat”

– Stravinsky’s “Octet” - Fisher Tull’s

“Nonet” - and Jean Francaix’s

“L’heure du Berger.” The semester

ended with the Prism Concerts and

Tri-State Festival. Tri-State

is a high school honor band

(four bands) weekend that

takes place on campus. The

Prism Concerts (four) are

held in conjunction with this

and they showcase groups

from the School of Music and

are all open to the public. The

1,400-seat auditorium was

sold-out in three days! Dr.

Croft asked me to conduct

one of the small groups for

this series and, since this was

a fundraiser for FSU’s band

program, it was the only time

I didn’t conduct in uniform.

I will be conducting the

Wind Orchestra during this

next semester (the graduate

wind ensemble). For one of the concerts, I will conduct a major work and

I also have to write a treatise (a complete analysis) of the work. I have

three examples on my desk. They

are bound and each are 3/4 to 11/2

inches thick! At the end of the semester, I will appear before a committee for a one-hour interview to

defend my treatise and to answer any

questions they feel are pertinent for

their determination in awarding me

a degree.

If you’re considering applying

for the Bandmaster postgraduate program, here are some suggestions you

might find helpful. Keep in mind,

the Bandmaster program is an accelLT Mel Kessler
11

January-March ‘99 Program Notes

erated course of study. You will be enrolled in a program that is usually

geared for 18 - 24 months; however, you will be doing the same curriculum in

a 12-month or less period. This means it’s a lot of work in a short period of

time, so you can’t afford to need remediation and you definitely don’t need to

be taking any additional courses (you don’t have the time!). To ease your

course load, you may want to take two 3-credit courses to transfer as electives. I suggest music history or theory. To help pass the diagnostics, get a

hold of whatever theory book is being used by the institution you choose, and

work through it cover to cover. And lastly, get a copy of either History of

Music by Hugh M. Miller or An Outline History of Western Music by Milo

Wold. Both of these books are excellent, condensed overviews of music history and will greatly help you pass any institution’s music history diagnostic

(I wish I had done this myself!).

There’s also been some time for fun too. Dr. Croft invited me and my

family to attend an FSU football game as guests of the Marching Chiefs. We

went to the FSU vs. Clemson game and sat in the front row of the end zone -

directly in front of the Chiefs. I never imagined how loud 420 musicians

could be. And the decibel level went up 100 notches when they played the

fight-song. “Live,” big time football is really incredible!

To sum up, I’ve been up later hours studying than I would like AND

writing more papers than I care to. But, this is a great school and I am learning so much that it’s incredible (I’m learning that I know very little!). Sure,

the accelerated curriculum is tough, but I am grateful for the opportunity and

wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I may have shared more than you would like to know, but so much has

happened in five short months that I am not sure I comprehend it all. If any of

you have questions, contact me at mpk3125@garnet.acns.fsu.edu. I would

welcome hearing from you. If you’re interested in FSU, be sure to visit their

web site at www.fsu.edu. And, if you’re really curious, Dr. Deal (Dean) posts

all bibliography class info and assignments on the Internet (by the way, it’s a

required class). Here’s the URL: http://otto.cmr.fsu.edu/~deal_j (DO NOT

put a www in front of the URL). That’s about it. I hope this helps. My final

piece of advice is, it’s never too early to start planning your future. So, “get a

head start!”

—During another flight I sat

next to a man who told me of losing

one of his sons in Vietnam. For a

few minutes I was able to listen to

this man tell of his son and of his own

service during World War II.

Returning home in “mufti” (civilian clothes) on my most recent

TAD, a senior officer in our Navy

was sitting behind me on the aircraft,

heading to Memphis to make a connection with another flight. He was

traveling in uniform. Next to him

was a chatty woman who regaled this

officer about the concerns she had

about Y2K, the military and other

matters. The officer patiently and

knowledgeably spoke to all of her

concerns. Upon disembarking the

aircraft I heard her thank him for

making her feel more secure and happier as an American citizen. For

those two hours, while I am certain

not always enjoying the details of the

conversation, that officer served his

country, that citizen and our Navy in

a very special way.

Traveling in uniform is important, especially when on government

business and time. If we do not

proudly wear our oath and our commitment, if we do not proudly wear

our legacy and our heritage, how can

we expect taxpayers and American

citizens to symbolically wear it for

us with their support? Commitment

assumes meaning we stand-up for

our decision to serve by wearing our

uniform.’ Benjamin Constant once

stated that “The army is the people

in uniform.” In the “peacetime years”

between World War I and World War

II, President Calvin Coolidge said,

“The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.”

In these peacetime years, with

fewer Americans having the direct

experience of military service, let us

stand up and stand out for what the

nation ultimately requires in defense

of its’ own liberty - sacrifice, duty,

honor, courage and commitment.

Next time, I intend to pack one

more uniform.

Have a Great Navy Day.

Captain’s Comments

Continued from page 4

Navy Music Salutes

Black History

Month

February
12

Program Notes January-March ‘99

Advancement Exams – The Myths and Facts

Continued from cover

Exams are prepared a minimum of 12 months prior to their test dates.

This lead-time is required for editing, printing proofs, cross checks and verifications, ordering, printing and distribution. Exams are comprised of 150

questions: 135 in-rate topics and 15 on military requirement topics. All questions must be supported by occupational standards and a reference. All occupational standards are covered over a period of exam cycles. References of

future exams are listed in the new exam specific bibliographies. Future bibs

combine references for the current and late exams into a single list.

Exam writers take rating exams the same time as the Fleet. As part of the

verification process, exam writers are required to take their exams at the same

time as their Shipmates. This is just another step in the process to insure

questions are current. Remember that exam writers have not seen their exams

in over a year. (I thought my years of taking exams were over when I put on

the khaki uniform. Now I take 7 exams per year that I haven’t seen for at least

a year - they’re still brain benders!)

POPULAR EXAM MYTHS

A standard score of 80 means you “ACED” the exam.

Not so. You may have only answered 110 of 150 questions correctly. All

raw scores are converted to standard scores. If a score of 70 was the average

raw score for the exam, that score becomes a score of 50 when converted to a

standard score. Standard scores range from 20 to 80, 50 being the center of

the range. A standard score of 80 means you had the top, or equal to the top,

score for your rating.

70 exam questions are thrown out because they are either too hard or too

easy. The remaining 80 questions become the bases for scoring.

Not so. All questions remain valid unless there is a specific reason for

deletion. It may be that a question had more than 1 correct answer. Maybe

the question wasn’t clear enough and even the “high scorers” had a problem

answering that specific question.

After exams are given a process called “random verification” takes place.

Questions with poor statistical ratings are sent to the individual exam writers

to verify their validity. At this time the writer has the option of deleting questions or modifying the answer key to make them correct.

The Advancement Center should create study guides and practice exams

to help Sailors score higher on exams.

Not a good idea! Advancement exams are based on a norm-referenced

system, also known as “grading on the curve.” As scores rise, the curve distorts to the high end of the scale. When this occurs, the exam writer must

write harder questions to bring scores down and the curve within statistical

parameters. I think you’ll all agree that MU questions are already difficult

enough.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact me via email or a

phone call. If your question would apply to the Fleet, it, along with the answer, will be published in the next issue of Program Notes.

Email: mucs-art.brockmeier@smtp.cnet.navy.mil

[Ed. Note: Once Master Chief Brockmeier’s email account is updated,

you’ll need to use mucm vice mucs]

Phone: (DSN) 922-1349 (Comm) 850-452-1349

The room was jammed with

black speakers and amplifiers, black

and gray wires, and, of course, the

musicians with their instruments

large and small.

The enlisted sailors range in rank

from seaman to master chief petty

officer. Daniel is the only officer. For

rehearsal, three different uniforms

were being worn by the group: winter working blue, dungarees and khakis.

Daniel stepped to the front. ”All

right, good afternoon!” he said.

After receiving a brief report on

musicians who had an excused absence, Daniel lifted the baton.

“Let’s try this Christmas singalong again,” he said, referring to a

medley.

“Take those slurs off,” he said

during Jingle Bells.

“Give me the third beat of the

second measure of 37,” he instructed

while perfecting The First Noel.

“Start on beat one...”

“One more time...”

“That worked!”

The lead in to We Wish You a

Merry Christmas proved the most

difficult part of the rehearsal. After

they had tried it twice, Daniel said,

“That’s not going to work. Obviously

I’m doing something wrong.”

They tried it several more times.

“In order for that to work, we’ve

got to get a darker sound,” Daniel

told the trombonist.

“Ok, let’s try the whole thing

from the top.”

The 70-minute concert will be a

mix of the beautifully reverent

(Olderman’s singing of Ave Maria)

to the humorously homespun (Master Chief Petty Officer Chuck Clark

picking his banjo and singing

Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer).

The primary mission of Navy

Band Memphis is to provide patriotic music for Navy ceremonies. But

it also plays for civilian functions to

continued on page 15

Navy Band Here Assails High C’s

Continued from page 7
13

January-March ‘99 Program Notes

From the DeputyLTJG Richard Bailey

FYI

Physical Readiness

Program Interim Change

Mandatory separation processing due

to consecutive PRT or body fat failures is suspended. This moratorium

will remain in place during CY99 and

follow on guidance will be forthcoming. For more information see

NAVADMIN 012/99.

Uniform Regulation Change

Effective immediately, the CNO has

approved soft shoulder boards and

metal devices for wear by Chief Petty

Officers. CPOs may optionally wear

cap devices on blue windbreakers,

khaki windbreakers, black dress jackets and all weather coats until 1 October 2000 at which time devices

become mandatory. Soft shoulder

boards may be worn optionally on the

service dress blue white shirt and

black v-neck sweater until 1 October 2000 at which time they become

mandatory.

Interim Change to the

Performance and

Evaluation Counseling

System

Due to recent changes announced by

NAVADMIN 050/99, closeout evals

are now only required for frocking/

promotion to E7. However, under no

circumstances shall a reporting period exceed 15 months. In this regard,

submit reports as appropriate.

All members who have an approved

resignation/Fleet Reserve/retirement

request shall be placed in a separate

sub-category. For more information

see NAVADMIN 050/99.

New Secondary (“Minor“) Instrument Performance

Standards

Big changes in performance standards are afoot in our program. For

those of you who are required to play an instrument in addition to your major

(saxophone, clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon, euphonium), the old performance

standard of a 2.5 performance level has changed. This change was affected as

a result of the Naval Training Requirements Review (NTRR) conducted at the

School of Music last Spring (1998) and is now being phased in throughout the

fleet as well.

2.70 for Secondary NECs

School of Music students who are required to play a secondary instrument must now achieve a minimum F-2 audition score of 2.7 in order to graduate. The substance of this change is contained in the Chief of Naval Personnel

letter (Ser 64/0508) of 20 October 1998, and came into effect with its distribution.

- Those members approved for enlistment/assignment to MU “A” School

prior to the distribution of this letter must meet the old standard (2.5 F-2

audition on minor instrument) for graduation.

- Those who were approved for enlistment/assignment to MU “A” School

after its distribution fall under the new standard.

- Those members in the Fleet who hold required secondary NECs are

subject to the phasing plan explained below.

Phasing plan

- MUs who were approved for enlistment/assignment to MU “A” School

prior to publication of the new standard must achieve a 2.70 score or better on

their secondary instrument during their first enlistment in order to qualify for

reenlistment.

- Designated MUs who have not earned a secondary instrument grade of

at least 2.70 must achieve a 2.70 during their current enlistment. Those who

fail to achieve the new standard are not eligible for reenlistment under that

NEC (a member must meet all requirements of the NEC to be eligible for

reenlistment - Bupers Manual). Members in this category must be re-auditioned on their secondary instrument prior to reenlistment. Note: Waiver requests for those needing additional time due to an impending EAOS will be

considered on a case basis. In most instances, these requests will be approved in order to give all members adequate time to meet these new requirements.

Designation of Secondary Instrument

The final change concerning minor instruments is that applicants auditioning for primary NEC 3805 (saxophone) no longer have the “option” of

choosing between flute or clarinet for their minor. As stated in the newest

version of the Recruiting Manual (Ch 3N), the required secondary instrument

is determined by Commander, Navy Personnel Command (NPC-64) based on

current and projected Fleet manning levels. This will solve some of the difficulties we’ve all experienced with having a saxophone section full of flute

minors, while we don’t have enough clarinet players to cover the parts, or

vice versa.

These changes will provide our bands with a more balanced and musical

cadre of musicians, enabling us to do the job in a more professional manner. continued on page 15
14

Program Notes January-March ‘99

NAME 4th Quarter 98

MU2 Walter Stiles Navy Band Newport

MU1 Tommy Osborne Navy Band Jacksonville

MU2 Chris Griffin Navy Band Jacksonville

MU3 Timothy Stanley Navy Band Newport

MU1 Arthur Wuertz PACIFIC Fleet Band

MU3 Paul Roberts PACIFIC Fleet Band

MU2 Kari Haugeto Naval Academy Band

MU2 Thomas Weller ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU3 Daniel Taylor ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU1 Terry Evans Navy Band Seattle

MU3 David Tulloch Navy Band Seattle

MU1 Robert Bowman Navy Band New Orleans

MU1 Robert Wrenn SEVENTH Fleet Band

MU3 Shana Higginbotham SEVENTH Fleet Band

Our Sailors of the Quarter

NAME 1st Quarter 99

MU2 Jim Ramsey Navy Band Great Lakes

MU3 Jennifer Damsky Navy Band Great Lakes

MU2 Brian Ioerger PACIFIC Fleet Band

MUSN Nicholas Ezzo PACIFIC Fleet Band

MU1 James Parker NAVPERSCOM NPC-6

MU1 Adam Vincent Navy Band Mid-South

MU3 Brent Adler Navy Band Mid-South

MUC Bob Falter’s Recruiting Station was named “Small Station of the Quarter” for 4th Quarter ‘98

MU2 Byron Barnes completed his M.B.A. Degree from the University of Hawaii

Other Adwards & Achievements

Our Sailors of the Year for 1998

MU2 Gerald Granata Navy Band Great Lakes

MU1 Patrick Sweeten Navy Band Jacksonville/Navy Region Southeast Staff

MU2 Chris Griffin Navy Band Jacksonville/Navy Region Southeast Staff

MU1 Michael Urbaszewski PACIFIC Fleet Band

MU3 Lori Rademacher PACIFIC Fleet Band

MU1 Robert Stibbe Naval Academy Band/U.S. Naval Academy/

Annapolis Area Complex

MU1 Jim Fox Navy Band Mid-South

MU2 Sterling Strickler Navy Band Newport

MU3 Vincent Eury Navy Band Newport

MU1 John Cline ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU1 Marie Beam Navy Band Seattle

MU3 Charity Barron Navy Band Seattle

MU1 Robert Bowman Navy Band New Orleans

MU3 Eric Ordway Navy Band New Orleans

MU1 Robert Wrenn SEVENTH Fleet Band

“All of us must become better informed. It is necessary for us to learn from others’ mistakes. You will not live long

enough to make them all yourself...”

ADM Hyman G. Rickover, USN

(1900-1986)
15

January-March ‘99 Program Notes

Deadline for Articles,

Awards, Retirements, and

New Parents:

June 15

Program Notes

Submissions

Fitrep/Eval References

Have any of you ever wondered if

you had all the changes to the new

FITREP/EVAL instruction? Now is

your chance to check your references. Listed below are all of the

NAVADMINs (and one NAVOP) that

apply to BUPERSINST 1610.10.

These are all the references that

modify the instruction since its inception.

- NAVOP 043/95

- NAVADMIN 049/97

- NAVADMIN 175/98

- NAVADMIN 239/98

- NAVADMIN 276/98

- NAVADMIN 050/99

CDR Michael Burch-Pesses, USN

(Ret.), Director of Bands at Pacific

University, had an excellent article

published recently in “The Instrumentalist.” You can read his article,

“Seven Effective Habits for Better

Rehearsals,” in the February issue.

“...Congratulations Commander!”

Suggested Reading...

FYI

Continued from page 13

give the Navy a presence in the community and to help with recruiting.

The band never charges for its performances, but it also does not entertain for fund-raisers or in any other setting that could be construed as an endorsement by the Navy.

Within the band are several subgroups, including Sternwheel Drive, a

jazz ensemble; Atlantis, an eight-piece group that plays contemporary music,

and a brass quintet.

For the drummer, Petty Officer 1C Duncan Hudson, the Navy offers much

more stability than life as a civilian musician. Hudson, 36, of Memphis, was a

college student and part-time musician when he entered the Navy 16 years

ago.

“(Civilian) musician jobs are not steady at all,” Hudson said. “And (the

Navy job) is a steady paycheck.”

He estimated that on average the Navy Band members make $30,000 a

year.

“For musicians, that’s pretty good,” Hudson said.

Olderman, the vocalist, sang some during her off-duty hours with rock

bands while stationed in Europe. At the time, she was a hospital corpsman.

She recalled being inspired after hearing a Navy band perform at a Navy

birthday ball in Italy a few years ago.

“I thought it was pretty neat,” the 24-year old Houston native said.

She auditioned for the music corps and changed her Navy career.

“It’s opened up my mind and eyes to a lot of different music,” she said.

Although tonight’s concert in the 1,000 seat theater of the Pat Thompson

Recreation Center is free, tickets are required. About 750 of the tickets were

claimed by midweek. To reserve any remaining tickets, call 874-5784.

Navy Band Here Assails High C’s

Continued from page 12

Navy Music Salutes

Womens History

Month

March

New Command Titles...

Effective 1 April, Navy Band Seattle

becomes Navy Band Northwest and,

not to be outdone, Navy Band San

Diego will become Navy Band

Southwest. These changes are due

to the recent regionalization of their

respective commands from

COMNAVBASE Seattle & San Diego to Commander, Navy Region

Northwest & Southwest.
- USN -

Important Dates

 In Navy History

January – March

1 January - U.S. Navy SEALS created (1962).

13 January - First Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Navy appointed (1967).

 - Fire on Enterprise kills 28 (1969).

— January - Navy Band New Orleans established on board Naval Support

 Activity New Orleans (1971).

16 January - Operation Desert Storm begins. U.S. Seventh Fleet Band embarked in Blue

Ridge, Flagship for Commander, Naval Forces Central Command/Commander,

Seventh Fleet (1991).

19 January - Louisville becomes first submarine to launch a cruise missle in combat (1991).

20 January - First school for Naval Air Training established; Pensacola (1914).

— January - U.S. Navy Band welcomes home the 52 Americans held hostage by Iran (1981).

21 January - Nautilus, first atomic-powered submarine launched (1954).

 3 February - Navy Supply Corps established (1795).

— February - John Philip Sousa guest conducts the U.S. Navy Band in a performance commemorating the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth. This was John

Philip Sousa’s last performance with a major band (1932).

 4 February - Captain John Paul Jones takes command of Bon Homme Richard (1779).

17 February - First contingent of SeaBees to deploy from U.S. arrive Bora Bora (1942).

25 February - Ranger, first true aircraft carrier commissioned (1933).

— March - Atlantic Fleet Band, under the direction of Bandmaster MUC J. H. Fultz, deploys

to Pottsdam in support of President Truman and the Pottsdam Conference (1945).

 2 March - Civil Engineer Corps established (1867).

 3 March - Office of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) established (1915).

 4 March - United States Navy Band established by an Act of Congress (1925).

 9 March - First engagement between iron-clad warships: USS Monitor vs CSS Virginia (1862)

10 March - One of Navy’s early schools of music established on board Naval Training Station

Newport (1917).

31 March - Commodore Perry signs historic U.S. Treaty with Japan (1854).