Jan - Mar ‘04

Vol. XVIII No. 1

U.S. Navy Music Program

What’s Inside

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

New Eval Guidelines........................ 3

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

BZ MU2 Frazer ............................... 4

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

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

From the Enlisted Detailing Shop .. 7

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

Advancements.................................. 9

Navy Band Southwest Hosts Conducting Workshop................................... 10

SEVENTH Fleet Big Band Visits

China ................................................ 10

SEVENTH Fleet Band in Kuala

Lumpur ............................................ 13

Naval Academy Band Hosts Maestro

Anthony Maiello .............................. 14

SIXTH Fleet/CINCSOUTH Bands

Combined Concert .......................... 15

ATLANTIC Fleet Band MFR Tour 15

SIXTH Fleet Band in San Remo .... 16

Navy Band Southwest at Point Loma

University ......................................... 17

New Parents ..................................... 18

Fleet Reserve/Retirements .............. 18

TAPS................................................. 18

Sailors of the Quarter/SOYs ........... 19

Upcoming Events

25 April

School of Music

Building Naming Ceremony

25 April

School of Music

40th Anniversary Concert

U.S. Navy Band

26 - 28 April

Biennial Bandmasters’

Training Conference

NAB Little Creek

School of Music to be

Named in Honor of First

Commanding Officer

Little Creek, VA – On Sunday

afternoon, April 25, 2004, the School

of Music’s first Commanding Officer

will be honored when Building 3602

becomes “McDonald Hall” in a ceremony scheduled for 1500 on board

NAB Little Creek. Captain John

Dockery McDonald, who passed

away in 1995, was a decorated Reserve Surface Warfare Officer who,

in his civilian career, was also a

highly respected music educator.

Commissioned an Ensign during

WWII, he served in the Pacific Fleet

as Commanding Officer of USS

APC-35 and USS APC-30, and then

served in the Atlantic Fleet as Executive Officer of USS SAPPHIRE

(PYC-2), prior to being released from

active duty in 1945 with the rank of

Lieutenant. He was recalled to active

duty during the Korean Conflict and,

once again, served in various command at sea billets. After the Korean War, CAPT McDonald remained on active duty

and, it was during this time, he became involved in the Music Program.

In 1951, following a tour aboard USS ANDROMEDA (AKA-15) McDonald, then

a Lieutenant, reported to the Naval School of Music as the Assistant Officer in Charge.

[Note: Prior to the mid-1950s, the School of Music, which was then located aboard

Naval Station Anacostia in Washington, DC, handled oversight of Navy bands, in addition to providing MU training.] Later promoted to Lieutenant Commander, McDonald

became the Officer in Charge of the School in November 1952; a position he held until

August 1956 when he became Head of the Navy Music Program in the office of the

Chief of Naval Personnel. McDonald was instrumental in establishing this BUPERS

office to provide management and oversight of the Navy’s bands throughout the Fleet.

Continued on page 3

“McDonald Hall” to be dedicated Sunday, 25 April 2004

CAPT J. D. McDonald, USNR (Ret.)

Commanding Officer, School of Music [1964 - 1966]
2

Program Notes January - March ‘04

Da Capo

@ DSN 882-4316

NAVY MUSIC PROGRAM

MANAGEMENT OFFICE

(PERS-674)

NAVY PERSONNEL COMMAND

MILLINGTON, TN

38055-6400

Gordon.Pantalone@navy.mil

Assistant Commander, Navy

Personnel Command (PERS-6)

RDML M. L. PURCELL, USN

Head, Navy Music Program

CDR M. E. MITCHELL, USN

Editor, Program Notes

MU1 G. W. S. PANTALONE, USN

“Program Notes is published quarterly

by the U.S. Navy Music Program (Pers674), 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. It is also available on-line at

http://www.bupers.navy.mil/navymusic.

To obtain additional copies or for more

information, contact the Editor...”

“Since last speaking, we’ve attended the Mid-West Band & Orchestra Clinic; National Association of

Music Merchants (NAMM) Show;

and the Texas Music Educators’ Association (TMEA) conference, and

conducted biennial Tech-Assist site

visits on board SIXTH Fleet and

CINCSOUTH Bands. All ‘n all, a

busy start to, what’s shaping up to

be, another great year.

This year’s TMEA featured a

truly spectacular performance by the

U.S. Navy Band with special-guest,

Larry Gatlin. The comments from

those attending the Band’s concert

ranged from Fantastic!” and “The

best band I’ve heard in decades!”

to...”They are superb representatives of the U.S. Navy” and “When

can they come back?”

Navy Music – A Proud

Heritage

Forty-years ago a Reserve Surface Warfare Officer, whose love of

music and deep respect for Navy

bands led to his association with the

training and management of MUs,

found a facility and obtained authorization (and funding) to relocate the

Navy’s School of Music from

cramped, temporary quarters they

had been occupying the past 25-years

on board Naval Station Anacostia in

Washington, DC to a newly renovated building on board the Little

Creek Naval Amphibious Base in

Norfolk, Virginia. Not only did

CAPT McDonald initiate and orchestrate all aspects of this evolution, he

was also able to elevate the status of

the School at the same time. Originally a Navy Activity, the School of

Music in Little Creek was establish

as a Navy command with CAPT

McDonald serving as its first CO,

paving the way for the thirteen Navy

Bandmasters who, since 1966, have

had the opportunity to serve in command of the only Musician training

facility in the military. His is an interesting, and fascinating, story and

one that is a significant part of our

Navy Music heritage.

Bandmaster Assignments

During the next several months,

the leadership of several of our activities in the Fleet will be changing.

Here’s a quick look: LT Dale Yager,

Fleet Bandmaster U.S. PACIFIC

Fleet to Director, Navy Band Southwest – LT Dwaine Whitham, Director, CINCSOUTH Band to Deputy

Director, Navy Music Program – LT

Ken Collins, Director, Navy Band

Northwest to Fleet Bandmaster, U.S.

PACIFIC Fleet – LTJG Carl

Gerhard, Assistant Fleet Bandmaster, U.S. Fleet Forces Command to

Fleet Bandmaster, U.S. SEVENTH

Fleet – LTJG Charles Roegiers, Director, Navy Band Fleet Support Unit

to Director, Navy Band Northwest –

and ENS (1 May) David Latour,

from SIXTH Fleet Band via the Senior Musicians’ Course (MU “C”

School) to Assistant Fleet Bandmaster, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

Also, ENS Mark Corbliss reported

aboard in March as the new Director

of Navy Band Fleet Support Unit.

LDO Selection

Congratulations go out to MUC

Diane Nichols who’s currently serving as Navy Military Training Coordinator (NMTC) on board School of

Music. Chief Nichols will be attending MU “C” School this summer [Senior Musician Course], and commissioned an LDO Bandmaster on 1

April 2005.

That’s it for now. Keep up the

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

M. E. MITCHELL, CDR, USN

Head, Navy Music Program
3

January - March ‘04 Program Notes

Oops!

If we miss something or make

a mistake, please let us know so

we can correct it. Just give us a

call or drop us an email, and we’ll

be sure to list it in the next issue.

Deadline for Articles,

Awards, Retirements, and

New Parents:

June 15

Program Notes

Submissions

Some corrections from the

Oct-Dec ‘03 issue:

Under “Recent Medal

Recepients”, MUCS Sydney

Mander received the Joint Service Commendation Medal vice

Joint Service Achievement

Medal.

The text accompanying the

photo of the SIXTH Fleet Band

on page 16 got cut off at the last

line. MU2 Greg Markowski

should be listed as the last name.

This office, known today as the Navy Music Program Management Office,

continues to provide centralized management of the Navy’s 14 bands and

750-plus enlisted and LDO officer personnel.

In August 1961 McDonald, then a Commander, returned to the Fleet and

served as Executive Officer of the U.S. Naval Station in Trinidad until returning to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in July of 1963. Meanwhile, the School

of Music, which was now providing training for Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in a facility originally designed to be a temporary structure, was quickly

outgrowing its home and badly in need of a new facility. Of the numerous

sites evaluated, the School of Music’s present home, Building 3602 on board

Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek proved best suited for instrumental and

academic training. Originally built in 1955 as an 80,000 square foot barracks,

Building 3602 was stripped to bare cinderblock and rebuilt with the needs of

professional military musicians in mind. The School of Music, formerly an

“activity”, was established as a Navy command on board Little Creek and, on

15 July 1964, Commander McDonald was designated the first Commanding

Officer.

An innovative and dedicated officer, McDonald was never actually a designated “Bandmaster”, yet his contributions literally shaped the future of the

School and Navy Music. McDonald is credited with, designing the concept of

centralized-management of the Navy Music Program; establishing an LDO

designator for “Bandmaster”; and relocating the School of Music to Little

Creek and establishing it as a Navy command. As this old barracks gets ready

to become “McDonald Hall”, we say thank you to this unique Naval officer

and Shipmate.

On August 22, 1966, shortly before returning to the Fleet for one last tour

of duty, Commander McDonald was promoted to the rank of Captain, and

later retired from active Naval service in 1968.

Continued from page 1

New Privacy Guidelines Issued for FitReps/Evals

A new NAVADMIN released on 29 Mar 04 addresses the problem of

identity theft, a major concern in this age of electronic communication. The

change affects the way reporting seniors prepare a member’s FitRep or Eval:

· To minimize the potential for identity theft, reporting seniors may

prepare the member’s copy of a FitRep or Eval with 000-00-0000 in block 27.

· The original FitRep or Eval (mailed to COMNAVPERSCOM) must

still contain the reporting senior’s social security number in block 27 of the

FitRep or Eval and block 3 of the summary letter, as this is the mechanism to

track a reporting senior’s cumulative average.

· The command copies of FitReps and Evals and the field service record

copy can be filed with 000-00-0000 in block 27.

· Access to files with the reporting senior’s social security number

must be controlled to reduce chances of disclosure.

To view the entire message, log on to the BUPERS web site at

http://www.bupers.navy.mil/navadmin/navad04.html

and click on NAVADMIN #071/04
4

Program Notes January - March ‘04

Fiscal Manager’s Corner

MUC Roberta Haworth

roberta.haworth@navy.mil

PURCHASE CARD

• The DAPS-run Cost per Copy Program continues to present problems for GPC Cardholders. First, if you

haven’t already, ensure you establish a good working relationship with the Cost per Copy billing point of

contact at your printing office. Second, make sure the proper purchase card account number is on file for

their use. Third, insist on receiving itemized invoices for each billing action. Whether they bill monthly,

bimonthly, quarterly, semi-annually or whatever – get an invoice for your records – it’s mandatory. You

know the saying: the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

• The latest news out of the EBusiness Operations Office (EBOO) is for Cardholders to watch out for vendors

who surcharge for using the DON Government Purchase Card. This is a violation of the MasterCard Bylaws

and Rules manual. Merchants know they are not allowed to surcharge. Many still do it because it often goes

unreported. If a merchant continually surcharges a customer after being notified by their acquirer, they run

the risk of having fines levied by the acquirer. Call MasterCard International, at 1-800-826-2181, speak with

a customer service representative. Be prepared to provide MasterCard International all of transaction

information, such as, the Merchant Name, Amount of Fees, date of purchase, Transaction #, etc.

• Important for Bandmasters: New Requirement: The Authorizing Official (Bandmaster) must issue a letter of

delegation to your Accountable Officials (i.e., Cardholders). See, “Approving Official Duties” in

EBUSOPSOFFINST 4200.1A, chapter 2, paragraph 4.

Norfolk, VA - On 25 February 2004,

in a ceremony held onboard the U.S. Fleet

Forces Command compound, MU2 Mark

Frazer II, USN was recognized as the U.S.

Fleet Forces Command’s Junior Sailor of

the Year for 2003. He competed against

all of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command

staff’s Junior Sailor of the Year recipients,

and was selected based on a personal interview and his knowledge of Naval history, policies and programs. During the

ceremony, honoring the Civilian and

Sailor of the Year, Vice Admiral Albert

H. Konetzni, Deputy Commander, U.S.

Fleet Forces Command, awarded MU2

Frazer the Navy and Marine Corps

Achievement Medal.

In addition to playing keyboard and

singing backup vocals in the contemporary music ensemble, Four Star Edition, MU2 Frazer is the band’s Fiscal Petty Officer and a member of the arranging

staff. MU2 Frazer is a valuable member of ATLANTIC Fleet Band and his selection as U.S. Fleet Forces Junior Sailor

of the Year is well deserved!

ATLANTIC Fleet MU Selected as U.S. Fleet Forces

Command Junior Sailor of the Year

MU2 Tony Grizzel, ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU2 Frazer with VADM Konetzi

Photo by PH2 Frederick
5

January - March ‘04 Program Notes

Q & As Materiel Manager’s Corner

From the Editor MUC Duncan Hudson

duncan.hudson@navy.mil

Q. Why didn’t you include the article we submitted?

A. We continue to receive

great input from all over the

Fleet. I wish we could include

every submission but, as I’m

sure you’re all aware, there just

isn’t the space to print everything.

Q. Does a short article

have a better chance of being

published than a long one?

A. Not necessarily. Of

course, the content and the relevance play a much larger role

in getting a piece printed. The

article should be (1) relevant to

Navy Music and Navy Musicians and (2) about a newsworthy event.

Q. Is a picture really

worth a thousand words?

A. Yes, it is. So, keep

them coming!

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:

Gordon.Pantalone@navy.mil

Fax: DSN 882-2614 or

Commercial

901-874-2614

MU1Gordon Pantalone

IN-EAR MONITORS

Many of you have received your in-ear monitors by now. I would like to

thank MUC Alan Fagan and MU1 Dan Magruder at FSU for their hard work

and guidance throughout this process. Their input was vital in putting this

package together. The equipment has a slight learning curve, and it takes a

little while to get used to having the sound directly in your ears, but what a

difference it makes!

They come out of the box ready to plug in your ears and go. We have

encouraged those who will use them, to get fitted for the “ear-molded” couplers to improve the quality of sound and help eliminate ambient noise. PERS674 will purchase the first set of couplers. If you desire a 2nd pair, or you lose

them, you will need to replace them.

I’d love to hear your comments after you’ve had a chance to work with

the equipment for a little while. If you have specific technical questions regarding the new system, I refer you to the folks at FSU.

MOUTHPIECES

Here’s another popular issue. Your Bandmaster has the final say on mouthpieces requests. As we like to say, you can request anything. Whether or not

you get it depends on the nature of your request and your band’s available

funds. Now, say that a special mouthpiece is purchased for an individual; it

only makes sense that it should be shipped to the member’s next duty station

to be re-issued to them for their continued use. Mouthpieces are considered

plant property or local inventory, so the bands are required to keep track of

them.

Keep those suggestions and links to products coming in. Thanks for all

your help!

Navy Music Salutes

Women’s History Month

February 2004
6

Program Notes January - March ‘04

Sound Bytes MU1 Gordon Pantalone

gordon.pantalone@navy.mil

Navy Music Salutes

When you get right down to it, computers are still a relatively new tool. The Internet and the World Wide Web are

newer still. The amount of information that has become available to Sailors in the Fleet in the past 10 years has

multiplied beyond imagination. Whether you want some additional training in a particular area or you want to pursue

a college degree, the Internet offers a vast sea of resources. A good place to start is NKO, or “Navy Knowledge

Online”. You’ll need to register and set up an account to take advantage of everything the site has to offer. Go to https:/

/wwwa.nko.navy.mil/ (I don’t know what the extra “a” after the “www” is for, but it’s not a typo!) and click on “NKO

Registration” to get started. Inside you’ll find links to e-learning sites, educational resources, free disk space to store

files (I keep a copy of the Navy Correspondence Manual and the SSIC Manual among other things there) and much,

much more.

With the exception of Naval Academy Band and the overseas bands, everyone is now on the NMCI network. If

you’re looking to learn more about Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, Access and others, NMCI has

free e-training courses for beginner through advanced users. If the NMCI HomePort does not display automatically,

enter http://homeport in the address field on your browser and press “Enter” on your keyboard. Click the “Services”

tab. Select the “NMCI Training Services link”. Note: You can also go directly to your NMCI e-Learning home page by

entering http://training in the address field on your browser. NMCI e-Learning offers courses for multiple skill levels,

so you can take courses targeted at your current capabilities. In addition, you can take courses in small (10-15 minute)

segments, so you don’t have to complete an entire course in one session.

Looking for advancement materials? First, make sure you know where to go to find your bibliography. You can

browse there by going to www.bupers.navy.mil and clicking on “Selection Board”. In the lower right hand column

there’s a link labeled “Bibliography for Advancement (BIBs)” which will take you to the “Chief of Naval Education

and Training” web site for advancement, or just go straight there by typing the address, https://

www.advancement.cnet.navy.mil, into your browser’s address field. Once you log in, you’ll find all the resources you

need to help you prepare for the next exam. Most of your actual study material will be made available to you through

your local ESO, but they can also be found online. Basic Music, NAVEDTRA 10244, Ear Training, NAVEDTRA

10243, and Harmony, NAVEDTRA 12012, can all be downloaded from the Navy Music Program web site in pdf

format at www.bupers.navy.mil/navymusic/openings.htm. The materials are listed about halfway down the page under

“Music Texts”. Military Requirements for Petty Officer and Yeoman manuals can all be found on the CNET web site

under Nonresident Training Courses.

Take advantage of these resources and take charge of your career!

Black History Month

February 2004
7

January - March ‘04 Program Notes

From the Enlisted Detailing Shop

MUCM John Wowk

john.wowk@navy.mil

OVERSEAS DUTY

“When was the last time your band toured the world?” is a quote from the cover of our new brochure. Have you

ever dreamed of visiting a foreign country, but didn’t have the money to pay for the trip? Well, if you’re looking at

traveling to various countries, meeting new people, and playing great music, then a tour of duty in one of our overseas

bands is the ticket you’re looking for. If you’re interested in serving with either the SIXTH, SEVENTH, CINCSOUTH,

or PACIFIC Fleet bands, give me a call.

VACANCIES AT SCHOOL OF MUSIC

The School of Music has posted current and projected staff billet vacancies for percussion instructor, guitar instructor, improvisation/contemporary music ensemble instructor, and rehearsal conductor. If you’re interested in becoming a member of the School of Music team, please contact LCDR Ralph Barrett, Executive Officer, at (DSN) 253-

7501 or email at Ralph.Barrett@navy.mil for more information. Also, visit the School’s web page to view a copy of the

instruction regarding qualifications for instructor duty.

“In an effort to meet the fast changing demands of the Navy’s “Revolution In Training” (RIT) , School of Music

was given the daunting task to realign musical training to fit within the confines of a fully functional five Vector Model

(5VM). The 5VM will be the primary career tool for all Sailors and will play a critical role in training requirements,

personal growth and development, advancement, career paths, etc. Those of you not familiar with the 5VM and

associated terminology, need to become very knowledgeable on this subject, as this concept is the key to future success

for a career in the Navy, and Navy Music Program.

The process of moving from Apprentice (E-1 to E-4 graduate of “A” School), to Journeyman (E-5/E-6 graduate

of “C” School Unit Leader Course), to Master MU (E-7 to E-9 graduate of “C” School Senior Musician Course) level

will ensure the CNO’s vision of “Cradle to Grave” training and career development. To that end, the project plan for

the Senior Musician Course will recommend completion of one of the following courses as a prerequisite for the

Senior Musician Course, along with the recommendation of the Bandmaster: Ceremonial Conductor/Drum Major

Course (A-450-0016) (no longer available), Unit Leader Course (A-450-0012).

The above will become effective once the pilot UL and SMC have been completed and the course Letter of

Promulgation (LOP) has been issued. In the interim, candidates for the Senior Musician Course convening JUL 2004,

should have already completed current diagnostic exam, been carefully screened by their Bandmasters, and submitted

a request to Pers-674 for consideration.

G. N. Thompson

Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy

Commanding Officer, School of Music

Fitting School of Music Training into the 5VM

From the Commanding Officer
8

Program Notes January - March ‘04

Our Recent Medal Recipients

Navy and Marine Corps

Achievement Medal

Navy and Marine Corps

Commendation Medal

MUCS David Hanner Naval Academy Band

MUCS Liz Carroll U.S. Navy Band

MUC Phil Burlin U.S. Navy Band

MUC Stephanie Rowland U.S. Navy Band

MU1 Joseph Hardner Navy Band Fleet Support Unit

ENS Mark Corbliss PERS-6

MUCM James Cunningham Naval Academy Band

MUC Marcia Diehl Naval Academy Band

MU1 Raymond Ascione Naval Academy Band

MU1 Anthony Asero Naval Academy Band

MU1 Todd Nix Naval Academy Band

MU1 John Ohlemeyer Naval Academy Band

MU1 Catherine Stiles Naval Academy Band

MU1 Eleazer Tillett Naval Academy Band

MU1 Ritchie Smith Naval Academy Band

MU1 Jarrod Williams Naval Academy Band

MU2 Christopher Cornette SIXTH Fleet Band

MU2 Daryl Moore Navy Band Southwest

MU2(SW) James Leithead ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU2 Jeremy Bustillos ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU2 Luis Lebron ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU2 Mark Frazer II ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU3 Carlton Shippee ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU1 Bill Mulligan U.S. Navy Band

MU1 Stephanie Longoria U.S. Navy Band

MU1 Scott Foote Navy Band Northeast

MU1 Jonathan Leeper Navy Band Northeast

MU2 Tom Weaver Navy Band Great Lakes

MU1 David Bogart Navy Band Northwest
9

January - March ‘04 Program Notes

Congratulations!

To Our Newest Master Chiefs!

MUCM(SEL) Margaret (Peggy) Bair U.S. Navy Band

MUCM(SEL) Richard F. Chappell Naval Academy Band

MUCM(SEL) Robert D. Ferreira Navy Band Northeast

MUCM(SEL) Wayne C. Taylor U.S. Navy Band

To Our Newest Commander!

CDR Donald Keller Naval Academy Band

To Our Newest Petty Officers!

MU3 Thomas Gaynor SIXTH Fleet Band

MU2 Robert Collier SEVENTH Fleet Band
10

Program Notes January - March ‘04

San Diego, CA - Navy Band

Southwest hosted a joint-service conducting workshop involving musicians and conductors from Marine

Band San Diego and the 3rd Marine

Aircraft Wing Band on 2 and 3 February 2004. The clinician for the twoday workshop was Mr. David

Waltman, Music Director and Conductor of the Rainier Symphony in

Seattle, Washington and Music Director of the Port Gardner Bay Chamber

Orchestra in Everett, Washington. Mr.

Waltman served

as a bassoonist

and conductor in

the US Army,

and since leaving

the service he

has served as Assistant Conductor of the American Sinfonietta,

Assistant Conductor of the

Syracuse University Orchestra, interim bandmaster of the 70th

Division Band

USAR, and on

the conducting

faculty of Western Washington University and the

University of Washington. Mr.

Waltman has also been featured as a

guest conductor with the U.S. Naval

Academy Band, Navy Band Northwest, Navy Band Southwest, the 56th

Army Band at Ft. Lewis, Washington, the 256th Army Band of the D.C.

National Guard, the 133rd Army Band

of the Washington Army National

Guard and numerous other ensembles

throughout the US and Canada.

The workshop began with a

morning lecture session where Mr.

Waltman discussed technique and

score study. Because of his extensive

Navy Band Southwest Hosts Joint-Service

Conducting Workshop

By MU3 Jennifer Oracki, Navy Band Southwest

involvement with military musicians

and his awareness of our training

methods, he was able to present his

approach in a manner that connected

and complimented the training many

of the conductors had received at the

Armed Forces School of Music. One

resounding theme he emphasized

was the responsibility of the conductor for how the band sounds.

From Monday afternoon

through Tuesday afternoon, all

twelve conductors, ranging in rank

from E-4 to E-8, conducted

Grainger’s Irish Tune from County

Derry and movements from

Milhaud’s Suite Francaise and

Holst’s Second Suite in F Major.

With every conductor, Mr. Waltman

was able to offer suggestions they

could immediately implement, and

in every case, those changes improved the sound of the band. He

also brought to light how the different conductors produced very different sounds from the band.

The workshop concluded with

a question and answer session and

further discussion of Mr. Waltman’s

approach to music in general. All of

the musicians involved were very impressed with the instruction given.

MU1 C.S. White found the clinic to

be most beneficial. “Working with

Mr. Waltman again provided another

excellent opportunity to learn and

grow as a conductor. One of the most

important things I learned from this

was to be totally prepared and comfortable with a score. Thorough score

study provides you with the knowledge you need to answer questions

and create a successful performance.”

Gunnery Sergeant

Ramon Villa of the

Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band at

MCAS Miramar was

a classmate with Mr.

Waltman at Musician “A” school.

“Back then, he was

always willing to go

the extra mile to help

the other students,

and today he continues that by sharing

his impressive

knowledge of conducting. His critiques were constructive and professional, and it was

a great experience for me and my marines.” When Mr. Waltman was asked

what he thought of the abilities and

musicianship of the conductors and

the band members, he said with great

emphasis, “I’m very impressed with

how well this group of musicians

from three different bands played together, and with the outstanding level

of preparation of all the conductors.

These Navy and Marine Corps musicians demonstrated a level of professionalism, musicianship and commitment equal to any professional

ensemble in the world.”

Mr. Waltman demonstrates technique for SSgt July
11

January - March ‘04 Program Notes

SEVENTH Fleet Band, on

board the USS BLUE RIDGE

(LCC 19), recently arrived in

Shanghai, China, for a four-day port

visit. The event marked the first visit

for both the USS Blue Ridge and

SEVENTH Fleet Band in over three

years. During their stay in China,

SEVENTH Fleet Band had the opportunity to perform in several venues.

On February 25th, SEVENTH

Fleet Band and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy Band performed a joint concert prior to a

community relations basketball

game between members of the USS

Blue Ridge and the PLA Navy. At

the pre-game concert the two bands

took turns playing military marches.

Led by MU2(SW) Cobbel, SEVENTH Fleet Band played march favorites including “Bravura” and “Army of the Nile”

for the enthusiastic audience of music and sports fans.

Later that evening, the Protocol Combo, led by MU2 Morrison, performed for the “Big Top”, a reception held for

visiting dignitaries, ambassadors and high-ranking foreign military officers held on the main deck of the USS Blue

Ridge.

The following day, SEVENTH Fleet band’s brass quintet, Shonan Brass, led by MU2 Mythen, performed for over

100 children of all ages at The Children’s Home of Shanghai. The quintet played a variety of pieces from the “William

Tell Overture” to “Maria,” from “West Side Story”. In addition to the performance, the quintet gave instrumental

demonstrations to the children. The quintet’s performance was part of a visit by Commander SEVENTH Fleet, Vice

Admiral Willard’s wife, who brought candy and board games for the children.

On February 28th, the USS Blue Ridge, with SEVENTH Fleet Band onboard, left Shanghai and the Yellow

River for her next port. For the band, it marked three successful performances for over 500 people whose only impression of the Navy and the United States is the one they received through the professional performances by and interaction with the members of SEVENTH Fleet Band.

SEVENTH Fleet Band Visits Shanghai China

By MU3 Andrew Pacchiarotti, SEVENTH Fleet Band

MU3 Patrick Curry gets help playing his tuba from a Chinese child at the Shanghai

Children’s Home

photo by JOC Rick Chernitzer

“Bands are not a ‘nice to have’ capability, but an

essential part of our total military capability... I

regard my band as an operational asset...”

Vice Admiral S. R. Arthur

Commander, SEVENTH Fleet

April 1992
12

Program Notes January - March ‘04

AT SEA ABOARD USS BLUE

RIDGE – The SEVENTH Fleet

command-and-control ship USS

Blue Ridge (LCC 19) departed Port

Klang, Malaysia Feb. 6 after completing a routine three-day port visit.

Sailors from the SEVENTH

Fleet staff and Blue Ridge took part

in a wide array of activities while in

Malaysia ranging from a SEVENTH

Fleet Band performance in the nearby

metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, to a

community service project at a local

children’s home.

“My overall impression is this is

a great international liberty port,”

said Capt. J. Stephen Maynard, Blue

Ridge commanding officer, as he

stood outside the downtown Suria

Mall waiting for the SEVENTH Fleet

Band to begin a concert amidst the

sizable crowd gathered in the Kuala Lumpur City Center, or KLCC, at the foot of the Patronas Twin Towers. According

to Safful Bahari Din, visitor services assistant with Petronas Twin Towers Visit Operations, the KLCC is the city’s

social and economic life force.

“The towers represent seamless blending of cultures here in Kuala Lumpur,” said Din, leaning against a handrail

within the towers’ sky bridge 574 feet above street level. “The population of Malaysia is mostly Muslim... but here in

Kuala Lumpur, particularly around the KLCC, the population becomes much more diverse. The area was once a

British colony, and the European influence is still very evident.” 

On the warm, overcast evening of Feb. 5, crowds of people gathered at the many outdoor restaurants and pubs at

the base of the twin towers, and along

the adjacent fountain and reflecting

pool. They had come to bask in the

center’s vibrant nightlife and to

watch a goodwill concert by SEVENTH Fleet Band’s Far East Edition

big band.

A gentle sprinkle almost quelled

the event, but as the band erupted into

a jazz version of the Navy song “Anchors Aweigh,” the crowd roared. 

“They like it,” shouted Susan

Bathija, over the cheers of the crowd.

Bathija now lives in Toronto, but her

family lives in the nearby Malaysian

city of Panang. “This is very good

for tourism. This city desperately

needs things like this. “They enjoy

these kinds of things, especially the

young people.

Women covered head to toe in

Blue Ridge, SEVENTH Fleet experience

Kuala Lumpur

Article and photos courtesy of SEVENTH Fleet and USS Blue Ridge public affairs

MU2 Dave Cobbell condutcs SEVENTH Fleet Band’s Far East Edition big band at the

Kuala Lumpur City Center February 5th

Photo by PH3 Lowell Whitman

Photo by PH3 Lowell Whitman

Continued on page 13

MU2 Scott Mythen prepares for a solo during a blazing jazz concert. The band

played a goodwill concert in the Kuala Lumpur City Center at the foot of the

landmark Petronas Twin Towers on February 5th
13

January - March ‘04 Program Notes

baju kurung and tadung, a loose fitting traditional dress and scarf covering the head, swayed to the fiery jazz just ahead

of where Bathija stood. Next to the women, two young men with jet-black hair and richly dark skin seemed elated as

a trumpet solo pierced through the accompanying music.

“As you can see, most of the crowd is Muslim,” said Bathija, “but these people aren’t anti-American.”

The band broke midway through their set in observance of the evening Muslim prayer. As the broadcast voice of

a Muslim clergyman’s song faded in the evening air, the band blasted into the second half of their set.

Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SW) Gunar Swenson, Blue Ridge bakeshop supervisor, watched from the steps of

Suria Mall.

“We come out and spend our money and show our faces, but look at this crowd,” said Swenson, panning his open

palm across the crowd toward the band. “It makes them ambassadors. Plus, the people look at me and say ‘hey, you’re

in the Navy too.’ It makes us all look good.”

“Everything about the experience was both positive and impressive,” reflected Musician 2nd Class Christopher

Beehler, a trumpet player with the band. “It was truly a privilege for Far East Edition to play in Kuala Lumpur’s City

Center in front of such an enthusiastic crowd and with such awe-inspiring scenery — truly outstanding.”

“It was fun to play in a new country and for the people in Malaysia,” said Musician 3rd Class Andrew Pacchiarotti.

“I would never have had this opportunity had I not joined the Navy. And yet, when I go to ports like Kuala Lumpur, I

feel like I never have quite enough time to get everything I want out of it.”

“...The real prize of the visit, was a concert by the SEVENTH Fleet “Far East Edition” band on Thursday evening in

a public promenade at the base of the Petronas Towers (the

second tallest buildings in the world), the most visible and

popular public space in the city. The IO Section worked extensively with the company and park service that manages the

space to obtain permission, licenses, security and electricity

for the performance. While a steady drizzle delayed the beginning of the performance, the audience of over 500 people

who waited was not disappointed. The band delivered a superior performance that had everyone within earshot swaying

to the music. After the performance, the band members were

greeted by a number of fans that stayed on and talked with the

group.

Last year, a U.S. military band performance in such a

public, prominent venue in Kuala Lumpur would have been

difficult to imagine, so we are extremely pleased with the outcome of this event.”

Did they change people’s opinions of the U.S. and particularly the U.S. military? Hard to say, but through their music and their effective interaction with the audience, the band

certainly presented a very different image of America than

what Malaysians have been fed over the past year. These types

of performances matter to the long-term partnership that we

work on every day and I am greatly appreciative to them for

their efforts last night.”

Continued from page 12

The following is an excerpt from a letter by Mr. Frank Whittaker, Press Officer at the U.S.

Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, to COMSEVENTHFLT:

Frank Whitaker

Press Officer

U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur
14

Program Notes January - March ‘04

Maestro Anthony Maiello conducts the Naval Academy Band

Photo courtesy of USNA Photo Lab

Photo courtesy of USNA Photo Lab

CDR Keller, Director, Naval Academy Band, presents

USNA cuff links to Maestro Maiello

Firebird Captured and Released

Naval Academy Band welcomes guest conductor, Anthony Maiello

By MUCS Robert Werntz, Naval Academy Band

Annapolis, MD - Longtime

friend of Navy Music, Maestro Anthony J. Maiello, Professor of Music

and Director of Instrumental Studies

at George Mason University, returned to the Naval Academy on

March 5, and brought fiery passion

to the band’s performance of Suite

from the Ballet “The Firebird.” Mr.

Maiello said “It is such a pleasure to

wake up every morning and get to

make music, especially when it’s

with musicians the caliber of this

band!” MUCS Barzal, said, “Professor Maiello transcends the ordinary

and brings out the extraordinary. He

immediately captured the players’

complete attention and conveyed his

passion for the music.” Chief Bruce

Smith added, “It was so much fun

watching the band respond; there

were many times that I had goose

bumps.” When asked about his impressions, Command Master Chief,

Butch Rodak just said, “WOW! The

band members have been begging to

make music with Professor Maiello

ever since his first guest appearance

in 1992.” MU1 Borrelli-Boudreau

has seen Professor Maiello work with

Dream, by Peter Graham, an exciting work based on the quest to build

an accurate time-piece that would

enable a ship’s crew to navigate

safely on the high seas. The percussion section employed a replica of

SSN 760 “ANNAPOLIS” ship’s bell

“It is such a pleasure to wake up every

morning and get to

make music, especially when it’s with

musicians the caliber

of this band!”

high school, college and professional

groups and said, “He’s able to connect with the musicians, whatever

their skill level. It’s amazing that he’s

able to shift gears so effortlessly.”

Maestro Maiello thanked the band for

the high level of professionalism that

military musicians contribute to the

music industry.

Maestro Maiello opened his portion of the concert with Harrison’s

for effect. The program reached its

grand finale with the featured masterwork for the evening, the Suite

from the Ballet “The Firebird.” MU1

Ray Ascione said, “Professor Maiello

loves what he’s doing and it shows!”

Apparently the audience thought so,

too - they gave a rousing standing

ovation.
15

January - March ‘04 Program Notes

Naples, IT - On February 8th, the

SIXTH Fleet and CINCSOUTH

bands combined forces to perform a

wind ensemble concert for the citizens

of Patrica, Italy.

Like many other ancient Italian towns,

Patrica, just south

of Rome, is perched

precipitously on the

side of a mountain,

requiring a harrowing ride up winding

mountain roads and

an arduous gear

move through extremely narrow

cobblestone streets

just to get to the

concert site. Once

set up, though, the

SIXTH Fleet and CINCSOUTH Bands

Perform Joint Concert for Italian Hosts

combined concert band performed a

variety of masterpieces, including

overtures by Rossini and Verdi, for

By MU2 Greg Markowski, SIXTH Fleet Band

LTJG Bruce McDonald conducts the combined CINCSOUTH and SIXTH Fleet Bands

for a joint concert for the citizens of Patrica, Italy

Photo by MU3 mark Horn

the town’s very appreciative mayor

and citizenry. The podium was shared

between LT Dwaine Whitham, Director,

CINCSOUTH

Band, and LTJG

Bruce McDonald,

Fleet Bandmaster,

SIXTH Fleet

Band. Both directors commented

on how enjoyable

is was for all the

musicians to have

an extended opportunity to work

jointly as well as

perform such

wonderful and

challenging concert band literature.

Norfolk, VA - ATLANTIC Fleet

Band’s Four Star Edition returned

from the Holiday leave period with

a fire for “Music for Recruiting”.

Under the leadership of MU1 Gresh

Laing, the band worked intensely

throughout January to perfect two

complete shows featuring all new

music for high school and college

audiences with music ranging from

fusion to top-40 hits.

The first tour began the last week

of January and covered high schools

in Wilmington and Greenville, North

Carolina. The band visited five high

schools performing for over 2,500

students. They were also given the

opportunity to perform for musicians

at Eastern Carolina University. MUC

Robert Falter, the Music for RecruitATLANTIC Fleet Band on the Road for MFR

By MU2 Tony Grizzel, ATLANTIC Fleet band

ing Coordinator, accompanied the band

to conduct auditions.

After a two-week

break, the band was

back on the road visiting more high

schools and colleges

in North Carolina and

Tennessee. They performed at four high

schools in the

Ashville and Raleigh,

NC areas reaching

over 1,900 students.

They also visited Brevard College

and the University of North Carolina,

where they performed and gave Jazz

Improvisation workshops.

Due to Four Star Edition’s polished and exciting shows, recruiters

were able to receive over 1,200

LEAD’s out of which 600 are Recruit

Eligible Applicants for the United

States Navy.

MU1 Gresh Laing answers questions from students

during a recent MFR tour

Photo by MU3 Coker
16

Program Notes January - March ‘04

Naples, IT - SIXTH Fleet Band hit the ground running in January with a six-day tour of northern Italy, starting

with a series of performances on the beautiful Italian Riviera coinciding with the annual “Festival of Flowers” in San

Remo, Italy. In addition to a “standing room only” performance on the evening of January 24th by the Fleet Jazz

Ensemble, the SIXTH Fleet marching band performed for over one hundred thousand people while marching in the

SIXTH Fleet Band Performs in San Remo

By MU2 Greg Markowski, SIXTH Fleet Band

Members of SIXTH

Fleet Band perform a

joint concert with “La

Banda Della Guardia di

Finanze”, one of Italy’s

premier bands,

under the baton of

LTJG Bruce McDonald

SIXTH Fleet Band’s

Fleet Jazz Ensemble,

under the direction of

MUCS Scott Williams,

performs for the

“Festival of Flowers” in

San Remo, Italy

Photo by MU3 mark Horn

Photo by MU3 mark Horn

internationally televised San Remo “Festival of Flowers” parade. Their visit to San Remo concluded on January 25th

with a joint concert with “La Banda della Guardia di Finanza,” one of Italy’s “premier bands,” during which the

SIXTH Fleet Bandmaster, LTJG Bruce McDonald, had the privilege of conducting a combined band of nearly 120

musicians. The Fleet Jazz Ensemble continued their tour of northern Italy, performing concerts in Genoa and Chiavari,

where they were overwhelmingly received with standing ovations throughout both performances.
17

January - March ‘04 Program Notes

San Diego, CA - Navy Band

Southwest’s Wind Ensemble performed at Point Loma Nazarene University on November 6th, 2003 for

the university’s music majors. Under

the direction of Lieutenant Steve

Trzcinski, the group performed Percy

Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy and

Irish Tune from County Derry,

Gustav Holst’s Second Suite for Military Band, and Samuel Barber’s

Commando March as well as other

selections by Raph Vaughn Williams

and Vincent Persichetti.

This performance marked an important milestone for the NBSW

Wind Ensemble in a multi-faceted

Navy Band Southwest Performs at Point

Loma Nazarene University

By MU3 Jennifer Oracki, Navy Band Southwest

LT Steve Trzcinski conducts Navy Band Southwest as they perform for

Point Loma Nazarene University music students

Photo by MUCM Riveracepeda

effort to connect with university students for the purpose of Musician

recruiting. While the general public

is well aware of the band’s versatility in entertainment-oriented venues,

university students are often unaware

of the other capabilities of a Fleet

Band. This concert was an excellent

opportunity to perform standard

wind literature well known in most

university music programs. The

band’s relationship with PLNU began 2002 with a Fleet Jazz Ensemble

performance that featured former

Navy Musician and trumpeter with

Tower of Power, Mike Bogart. Rela-

“Concerts like

these show that

we have raised

the bar for what is

possible with a

Fleet Band”

tionships with college music programs are long-term investments that

don’t reap immediate benefits. Many

MUs who were either college students or graduates before joining the

Navy have said they hadn’t consider

the Navy Music Program until they

realized that they had become dissatisfied with teaching and freelancing,

or they were having difficulty paying back student loans. Some also

indicated that they were completely

unaware of our program – all the

more reason to pursue these relationships.

MU1 Charity Mahannah is active in recruiting and auditioning for

the Navy Music Program at NBSW

and feels that the performance at

Point Loma Nazarene University

greatly enhanced the reputation of the

Navy Music Program and will be an

asset to recruiting efforts. “Concerts

like these show that we have raised

the bar for what is possible with a

Fleet Band. The opportunity to perform standard literature can be rare,

as well as having a group able to perform it for the university level. On

the recruiting side, we blow away any

general misconceptions about a military band and instead impress people

with the capabilities of the Navy

Music Program.” The next event in

this ongoing relationship with PLNU

will be a return engagement by the

Fleet Jazz Ensemble in March.

You can accomplish

anything when you have

the Right Spirit.

Drink responsibly.

Choose the Right

Spirit...

It’s about choice.
18

Program Notes January - March ‘04

Name Date Command

MU2 Jonathan Leeper January 2004 Navy Band Northwest

MUCM(SW) Manuel Riveracepeda April 2004 Navy Band Southwest

MU2 Robert Gaffney April 2004 Navy Band Northeast

MU2 Tom Weaver April 2004 Navy Band Great Lakes

MUCM Chuck Yates May 2004 U.S. Navy Band

MU1 John Blount May 2004 U.S. Navy Band

MUC Harold Fryer June 2004 U.S. Navy Band

Annika Schmidlin, born 20 December 2003 to MUC Inge and SSgt Sean Schmidlin

Gabriel Elias Lebron, born 6 January 2004 to MU2 Luis and Eileen Lebron

Kiana Kashi Gregg, born 2 February 2004 to MU1 Guy and Yoko Gregg

Joseph Anthony Manturuk, born 2 February 2004 to MU1 Matthew and Chanda Manturuk

Magnolia Elizabeth Conover, born 7 February 2004 to MU2 Andrew and Tracy Conover

Malcolm Warren Kayani Stephenson, born 13 February 2004 to MU3 Devin and Loistean Stephenson

William Ellis Fox, born 21 February 2004 to MUC Jim and Kelly Fox

Our New Parents And Newborns

TAPS

MUCM Richard D. Sowell Jr., USN (Ret.) passed away at 11:00 a.m. on March 1st 2004 after a long battle with

cancer. MUCM Sowell was a cornet player with the Naval Academy Band from 1946 to 1948. After his enlistment in

March of 1941 he attended the basic course of instruction at the School of Music, then in Washington, D.C. Upon

graduation he reported to the USS PHILADELPHIA for three years before returning to the school in 1944. He served

in bands in Norfolk, VA and Ottumwa, IA and completed a third course at the School of Music before reporting to the

United States Naval Academy Band in October of 1946 where he served until his retirement in 1968. His quick wit

and off the wall quotes will definitely be missed, along with his special trumpet talents.

MUCM Sowell was quoted at the last Naval Academy Band Alumni Meeting as saying, “Old sailors never

die, they just put in for liberty and wait for the launch to pick them up!”

MUCM Donald C. DeHart II, USN (Ret.) passed away on March 2nd 2004 at the age of 68. MUCM DeHart was a

tuba player in the Naval Academy Band from 1955 to 1973. After completing MU “A” School in Washington, DC in

June of 1954, he was assigned to Unit Band 183 on board the USS MISSOURI and then Unit Band 87 (COM TEN, San

Juan, PR) from 1954 to 1955. He then transferred back to the School of Music for temporary duty before being

assigned to the United States Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, MD in June of 1955 where he served until his

retirement in 1973.

Transfers to the Fleet Reserve and

Retired List

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

entire Navy Music Program...
19

January - March ‘04 Program Notes

Our Junior/Senior Sailors of the Quarter

Name 2nd Quarter 03

MU1 Michael Wells SEVENTH Fleet Band

MU3 Andrew Pacchiarotti SEVENTH Fleet Band

Name 3rd Quarter 03

MU2 Eddie Hernandez SEVENTH Fleet Band

MU3 Robert Collier SEVENTH Fleet Band

Name 4th Quarter 03

MU1 George Kuhns ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU2 Tony Grizzel ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU1 Roy Brown Navy Band Southwest

MU2 Denise White Navy Band Southwest

MU2 Erin Horn SIXTH Fleet Band

MU2(SW) David Cobbel SEVENTH Fleet Band

MU3 Richard DeVoe SEVENTH Fleet Band

MUC Chris Erbe U.S. Navy Band

MU1 Bill Gray U.S. Navy Band

Name 1st Quarter 04

MU1 Stanley Dunlap Navy Band Northeast

MUSN Carlos Serrano-Sanchez Navy Band Northeast

MU1 Greg Dudzienski Navy Band Great Lakes

MU3 Dave Witter Navy Band Great Lakes

Our Junior/Senior Sailors of the Year

MU1 Charity Mahannah Navy Band Southwest

MU2 Bruce Mansfield Navy Band Southwest

MU2 Brian Chaplow SIXTH Fleet Band

MU1 Randy Ladkau ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU2 Mark Frazer II ATLANTIC Fleet Band

MU2 Mark Frazer II U.S. Fleet Forces Command

MU1 Bill Mulligan U.S. Navy Band

MU1 Greg Dudzienski Navy Band Great Lakes

MU2 Scott Helwig Navy Band Great Lakes

MU1 David Gentkowski Navy Band Northwest

MU3 Selina Guzman Navy Band Northwest
- 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).

- The doors to the School of Music were opened to African

Americans (1945).

— 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 - United States 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 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).

 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).

19 March - Navy Music Program holds its first Biennial Assistant Directors’ Conference on board NPC (2001).

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