January/February 2016 w Volume 37 Number 1
Season of Symphonies Spotlight on MU1 Kristine Hsia 38th International Saxophone Symposium Concert Band On Tour Sailor of the Year - MU1 Amanda Cline
A Message from the Commanding Officer
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inging in the new year gives us a chance to look back on the year we’ve just completed and to look ahead at the year to come. 2015 has been a memorable year for us here at the Navy Band with nearly 1,600 performances. Some highlights include five national tours, two performances in Chattanooga, Tennessee (the 66th Armed Forces Day Parade hosted by the chief of naval operations and a memorial service for the victims of the shootings at two military installations there), the rededication ceremony for Building 197 on the Washington Navy Yard, appearing on Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, a joint concert with the Central Band from Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force, and saying farewell to Capt. Brian Walden after his 35 years of naval service.
We also welcomed two new civilians on board in 2015. Joining comptroller Ms. Stephanie Rowland, who arrived in 2014, are Ms. Angela Brewer, our chief information officer, and Ms. Faiza Brahim, our financial management analyst. This team of experts is responsible for the budget and information technology for all of Navy music. As we begin 2016, we look forward to the Commodores’ performance at the Jazz Education Network Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, the International Saxophone Symposium in Winchester, Virginia, and our national tours departing in February and March. We thank you for your continued support of the U.S. Navy Band and wish you all the very best in the new year.
fanfare Volume 37 Number 1
Commanding Officer/Leader CAPT Kenneth Collins
Public Affairs Chief MUCM Aaron L. Porter Editorial Staff MUCM Aaron L. Porter MUC Melissa Bishop MUC Adam K. Grimm MUC Cynthia K. Wolverton MU1 Sarah F. Blecker MU1 Amanda P. Cline MU1 Maia Rodriguez
Layout and Design MUC Stephen W. Hassay MU1 Adrienne W. Moore
Kenneth C. Collins, Captain, USN Commanding Officer/Leader
Photographers MUC Brian P. Bowman MUC Stephen W. Hassay MU1 James C. Anderson MU1 David B. Aspinwall MU1 Jon C. Barnes MU1 Eric A. Brown MU1 Jeremy D. Buckler MU1 Adele D. Mayne MU1 David Smith
fanfare is a bi-monthly magazine published by the U.S. Navy Band public affairs staff. Front Cover: Graphic design promoting the Navy Band’s Season of Symphonies, featuring Cmdr. Ken Collins conducting the Navy Band during the 2015 Navy Birthday Concert at the Music Center at Strathmore. (U.S. Navy photo by Musician 1st Class David Aspinwall/graphic by Chief Musician Stephen Hassay/released)
COMMODORES:
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Just want to say thank you for an outstanding concert by the Navy Commodores last night at Evanston Township High School in Evanston IL. I had no idea the Navy had a band, and I had no idea they would be that good. My wife Jane and I were amazed by the musicianship, precision, power and creativity displayed by this group. The show had me smiling ear-to-ear, shaking my head as in “WOW,” tapping my toes -- just an incredible experience to hear. —Doug (Evanston, Illinois)
Cline named Navy Band’s top Sailor By Chief Musician Adam Grimm
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t was a quiet Friday morning, Dec. 4, at the Navy Band building. Musician 1st Class Amanda Cline, the band’s productions head, was working on the mezzanine level, in a small meeting reviewing multimedia content for the upcoming holiday concerts. The senior enlisted leader, Master Chief Musician Kevin Dines, entered her meeting and called her to her workspaces across the hall, where the commanding officer, Cmdr. Ken Collins, and a host of officers and senior enlisted were waiting for her. “I didn’t know what was going on; my mind was racing through the different possibilities,” recalls Cline. “I couldn’t understand why all of these senior leaders were in my workspace.”
Cmdr. Ken Collins, right, informs Musician 1st Class Amanda Cline that she has been selected as the Navy Band’s 2015 Sailor of the year. (U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Musician Stephen Hassay/Released)
Collins did not keep her guessing very long. He extended his hand and congratulated her for being selected as the command’s 2015 Sailor of the Year. He noted that her work has been exemplary, and how much she is integral to the Navy Band’s success.
operatic performance at Arizona State University. Before joining the Navy Band, she spent her time teaching, as well as performing with various opera companies in Arizona, New Jersey, Texas and New Mexico.
In addition to Cline’s work for the command, she has also been a leader and mentor outside the command. She led several training sessions at the Navy Ceremonial Guard, and worked with the Naval District Washington First Class Petty Officers Association mentoring numerous junior Sailors.
Cline left the Sea Chanters to take over as the command productions head in 2012. She had been heavily involved in command productions for several years. Her job now is to lead the productions team, producing the Navy birthday concert, the Navy Band holiday concerts, and the summer Concerts on the Avenue. She must come up with a theme, program the shows, communicate with the venues, coordinate the involvement of multiple Navy Band units and the Ceremonial Guard, develop the multimedia content, and direct the show. Cline also meets with various staffs at the Pentagon to ensure that the programs are in line with Navy themes and messaging.
Cline joined the Navy Band in 2006 as an alto vocalist with the Sea Chanters chorus. She grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, graduating from Greenway High School in 1991. From there, she moved to Flagstaff, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance and a Bachelor of Music Education from Northern Arizona University. In 2003, she completed her Master of Music Theater in
“Any success I’ve had I did not come by on my own,” said Cline. “I work with profoundly talented and hard-working people. We strive for excellence together, hour after hour, production after production. I’m honored the command has recognized my efforts, but for me, it’s more of a recognition of the work my team and I have accomplished together.” ff
“Petty Officer Cline is not just an outstanding productions head, but she has distinguished herself as support staff leading petty officer, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society fund drive chair, and heritage committee member,” Dines added.
COMMODORES:
Thank you so very much for sending the Commodores to us last night at the Roosevelt Middle School in Dubuque, IA. We took three of our children (all of whom are aspiring musicians) and they were totally thrilled by the performance. Thank you for providing quality musical programs for adults and children of all ages. –Debra (Dubuque, Iowa)
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Performance Schedule
All concerts are FREE and open to the public. Tickets or reservations are not required unless noted (*). Please note that all concert information is accurate at time of publication, though subject to change due to weather and other conditions. For inclement weather announcements, please call 202-433-2525 or visit www.twitter.com/usnavyband. For the most up-to-date information, please check our online performance calendar at: www.navyband.navy.mil
JANUARY
COMMODORES
SATURDAY, JAN. 23, 7:30 P.M.
Henry E. Lackey High School 3000 Chicamuxen Road Indian Head, Md.
CONCERT BAND
North County High School 10 East 1st Ave. Ferndale, Md.
SATURDAY, JAN. 30, 7 P.M. Yorktown High School 5200 Yorktown Blvd. Arlington, Va.
COUNTRY CURRENT BLUEGRASS SUNDAY, JAN. 10, 4 P.M.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church 6509 Sydenstricker Road Burke, Va.
FEBRUARY
CONCERT BAND
THURSDAY, FEB. 4, 7 P.M. Marriotts Ridge High School 12100 Woodford Drive Marriottsville, Md.
SEA CHANTERS
SUNDAY, FEB. 14, 5 P.M.
St. John’s Episcopal Church 1525 H St NW Washington, D.C.
SUNDAY, FEB. 28, 6 P.M. Church of the Redeemer 1423 Girard St. NE Washington, D.C.
CONCERT BAND:
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FRIDAY, FEB. 26, 7 P.M.
COUNTRY CURRENT FRIDAY, FEB. 26, 7 P.M.
40TH MILITARY SCHOOL BAND AND CHOIR FESTIVAL Valley Forge Military Academy 1001 Eagle Road Wayne, Pa.
COUNTRY CURRENT BLUEGRASS TUESDAY, FEB. 16, 8 P.M. Old Town Hall 3999 University Drive Fairfax, Va.
SUNDAY, FEB. 21, 1 P.M.
Veterans Affairs Medical Center 510 Butler Ave. Martinsburg, W.Va.
MARCH
SEA CHANTERS
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 5 P.M.
Bowie Center for the Performing Arts 15200 Annapolis Road Bowie, Md.
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 3 P.M. National Gallery of Art East Building Atrium 6th & Constitution Aves. NW Washington, D.C.
COMMODORES SMALL GROUP
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 7 P.M. Westminster at Lake Ridge 12191 Clipper Drive Lake Ridge, Va.
CONCERT BAND 2016 SPRING TOUR
The Concert Band departs February 20 on an 23-day tour through Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey. The following is a list of tour performances.
SATURDAY, FEB. 20, 7:30 P.M. Rowan University Pfleeger Concert Hall 201 Mullica Hill Road Glassboro, N.J.
SUNDAY, FEB. 21, 2 P.M. Scottish Rite Cathedral 310 South 7th Ave. West Reading, Pa.
MONDAY, FEB. 22, 7 P.M.
Milton Hershey School Founders Hall Auditorium 801 Spartan Lane Hershey, Pa.
TUESDAY, FEB. 23, 7 P.M. Cumberland Valley HS Performing Arts Center 6746 Carlisle Pike Mechanicburg, Pa.
The band played with impeccable intonation, balance, precision, and emotion. The soloists were masterful. The concert certainly confirmed the band’s reputation as “world’s finest”, and then some. It is the best I have ever heard the Navy Band perform.....made me very, very proud! —Benjamin (Bolivia, North Carolina)
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24, 7 P.M.
Sailor of the Year
Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School Auditorium 1510 North Montgomery St. Hollidaysburg, Pa.
THURSDAY, FEB. 25, 7 P.M. Lockhaven University Lock Haven, Pa.
FRIDAY, FEB. 26, 7:30 P.M.
Hempfield Area High School 4345 Rt. 136 Greensburg, Pa.
SUNDAY, FEB. 28, 2 P.M. Butler Intermediate High School 551 Fairground Hill Road Butler, Pa.
2015 MU1 Amanda P. Cline
Friday, jan. 15 and Saturday Jan. 16 Shenandoah University and the Patsy Cline Theater, both in Winchester, Virginia. visit www.navyband.navy.mil/saxophone_symposium.shtml for more information.
MONDAY, FEB. 29, 7 P.M.
McDowell High School Gymnasium 3580 W 38th St. Erie, Pa.
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 7:30 P.M.
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2 P.M.
Shea’s Performing Art Center Shea’s Buffalo Theatre 646 Main St. Buffalo, N.Y.
Umass Fine Arts Center Auditorium 151 Presidents Drive Amherst, Mass.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 7 P.M.
Wellesley High School 50 Rice St. Wellesley, Mass.
Spencerport High School Auditorium 2707 Spencerport Road Spencerport, N.Y.
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 7 P.M. Stanley Performing Arts Center 259 Genesee St. Utica, N.Y.
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 7 P.M.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 12 P.M. Mechanics Hall 321 Main St. Worcester, Mass.
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 8 P.M.
Mid-Hudson Civic Center Auditorium 14 Civic Center Plaza Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
U.S. Coast Guard Academy Leamy Concert Hall 15 Mohegan Ave. New London, Conn.
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 7 P.M.
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 7 P.M.
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 7 P.M.
Springfield Symphony Hall 34 Court St. Springfield, Mass.
University of Hartford Lincoln Theater 200 Bloomfield Ave. West Hartford, Conn.
Sailor and Senior Enlisted of the Quarter July-September 2015 MU1(AW) Cory A. Parker MUC Gunnar R. Bruning Welcome aboard to... MU1 Jeff DeRoche, percussionist...and to MU1 Alex Kovling, French horn instrumentalist... and to MU1 Nicholas Taylor, percussionist ...and to MU1 Elena Yakovleva, piccolo instrumentalist with the Concert/Ceremonial Band... and to Faiza Brahim, financial analyst...and to Angela Brewer, chief information officer.
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 7 P.M. Yale University Woolsey Hall 500 College Ave. New Haven, Conn.
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 3 P.M. Secaucus High School Arthur F. Couch Performing Arts Center 11 Millridge Road Secaucus, N.J.
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 7:30 P.M. LIU Tilles Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall 720 Northern Blvd. Greenvale, N.Y.
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 7 P.M. Wall High School Gymnasium 1630 18th Ave. Wall Township, N.J.
COMMODORES:
We just want to pass along our sincere appreciation for your outstanding performance in Lake Geneva on November 1st. Our entire family from ages 10 to 54 loved every note. We wanted to say to each member...”your family must be so proud of you because we are too.” Thank you for bringing this performance to our community. —Larry and Tracey (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin)
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Retired Chief Musician Thomas E. Lloyd 1918 – 2015 The entire Navy music program mourns the loss of retired Chief Musician Thomas E. Lloyd, who passed away Oct. 30 in Merrill, Wisconsin. Upon graduation from high school in 1937, Lloyd enlisted in the Navy and played trumpet in several Navy bands, first aboard USS Lexington (CV16) and then on USS Yorktown (CV5). He survived the sinking of the Yorktown by a Japanese air and torpedo attack during the Battle of Midway, in 1942. He managed to escape the ship by rappelling over the side. In 1945, Lloyd reported to the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, and performed at the White House, the Capitol and Arlington National Cemetery. He also performed on several national concert tours throughout the 48 states. After retiring from the Navy in 1959, Lloyd and his wife, Laura, lived in the Wausau/Mosinee, Wisconsin area, where he was manager of the Brokaw Credit Union. Upon full retirement, they enjoyed traveling and spent many winters in Florida, fishing and playing golf. He is survived by his wife of more than 70 years, one son, one daughter and one grandson.
Concert Band and Sea Chanters hit the road! by Musician 1st Class Sarah Blecker
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s the dust settles from a busy holiday season we turn our attention to what lies ahead: the Navy Band’s annual spring tour! This year marks the first tour with Capt. Collins at the helm, with the Concert Band departing in February, spending three and a half weeks on the road. The band heads to the Northeast region of the country, making stops in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Last year we did something a little different when the Concert Band and Sea Chanters joined together to present several combined concerts while on their separate tours. It was a big success and a pleasure to present musical programs that highlighted the combined power of both ensembles. This year the tours will remain separate so that we can reach a larger audience. But while the Concert Band and Sea Chanters will tour the same region, they will not do so concurrently, as they have in the past. The Sea Chanters will depart later than usual, beginning their tour of the region in April, making theirs a true “spring” tour.
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal MUCM Jeffrey Knutson, MUCM James Ramsey, MUCS Trent Turner and MUC Kenneth Carr
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal MU1 Haley Bangs, MU1 Jeremy Buckler, MU1 Farah Chisham, MU1 Athus DeLima, MU1 Jason Neihoff, MU1 David Perkel and MU1 Jennifer Stothoff Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal MUC Christina Bayes
The Concert Band will begin its tour on Feb. 20 in Glassboro, New Jersey, and end it on March 15 in Ocean City, New Jersey. The Sea Chanters will begin their tour April 1 in York, Pennsylvania, traveling through New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusettes, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine before ending it on April 22 in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. For a complete listing of Concert Band tour stops, see the performance schedule on pages 4 and 5. For more detailed concert information and how to acquire your free tickets, visit us on our website at www. navyband.navy.mil/National_Tour.shtml. ff
CONCERT BAND:
Great concert in Bowie last night, thanks so much. Amazing trombone solo, especially.
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–Ellen (Bowie, Maryland)
Spotlight on... MU1 Kristine Hsia
Tell us about your musical background. My earliest memory of singing comes from a cassette tape recording my parents made of me singing along to Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore.” My background is pretty eclectic. I sang in school and church choir and I studied musical theatre at the State University of New York-Fredonia. After joining the Navy, I was assigned to the 7th Fleet Band in Yokosuka, Japan. I had the opportunity to travel around Asia and the Western Pacific singing with the contemporary music ensemble (rock band), the concert band, the jazz protocol combo, as well as performing the national anthems of the many countries I visited.
During an underway period at sea, the USS Tortuga conducted an “UNREP” or a replenishment at sea. This is a process of transferring fuel and cargo from one ship to another. The supply ship comes alongside and casts lines to the receiving ship. It was really cool to witness! Once the UNREP Musician 1st Class Kristine Hsia is completed, the ship will traditionally play a “breakaway song” to celebrate the end of what can be a very challenging and time-consuming task. Our rock band “Orient Express” was asked to set up on the weather deck and perform the breakaway song. It was great to see the shocked looks on people’s faces onboard the supply ship as the Tortuga pulled away with a live band playing music. They seemed to really enjoy it, and it was a blast for us.
You auditioned for the Commodores twice. How did that come about? I first auditioned in 2011, the same day that an earthquake hit the D.C. area. I wasn’t offered the position at the time, but I did learn about the Navy Music Program. I was right out of college and eager to make a living singing, so I enlisted in the Navy as a vocalist. My first stop was recruit training in Great Lakes, Illinois, and then I went on to musician “A” school in Virginia Beach, Virginia, before moving halfway around the world to Japan. I am very proud to have served overseas, and am especially grateful for the experience I gained during my time in the fleet. These are experiences I will cherish for the rest of my life. When the announcement came out about another opening for the vocalist position with the Commodores, I jumped at the opportunity to audition, and here I am today.
What is a deployment like for a Navy musician? It’s thrilling and challenging. There is so much truth to the age-old saying, “Join the Navy, see the world”. I’ve been able to visit places I’d never be able to otherwise. On days when you’re out to sea, there are a lot of early mornings, rehearsals for gigs in port, lots of time to practice and work out. Once in a while, a small group gig will pop up for special occasions in the officer’s mess or the enlisted galley to increase morale for the shipmates onboard. When we reach port, we perform ceremonies and receptions for representatives of foreign nations and their militaries. During visits to foreign countries the band typically leaves the ship early to perform for schools, orphanages and public venues to help spread a positive Navy message. Those are busy days, often with two or three shows at different locations, but it’s also very rewarding work. The days are long, but they go by quick.
by Chief Musician Cynthia Wolverton
Very few members of the Navy Band have had the opportunity to serve overseas. Vocalist Musician 1st Class Kristine Hsia joined the Commodores jazz ensemble in 2014 after spending two years in Japan with the U.S. 7th Fleet Band. She has since become a Navy Band audience favorite.
What is your most memorable experience with the 7th Fleet Band?
Continued on page 8
COMMODORES:
Thank you so much for your sensational musical performance, and your outstanding, Exceptional, Presentation. What an uplifting Show, and from reading about you, what a foundation of work and experience. —Mike (Elkhart, Indiana)
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fanfare
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A Season of Symphonies
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he U.S. Navy Band presents full-length symphonic works as part of its Washington concert series fall 2015 through spring 2016. Each concert, led by the Navy Band’s commanding officer and leader, Capt. Kenneth Collins, features the Navy Concert Band performing compositions for wind band. “It’s a real treat to be able to take a world-class ensemble like the Navy Band and offer these musical
Spotlight continued...
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? I enjoy traveling whenever time and money allow. There’s something about living out of a suitcase and exploring an unfamiliar place that I find really exciting. Hiking is another activity I like to do. I recently
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Contact Information: Public Affairs Office The United States Navy Band 617 Warrington Ave. SE Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5054 202-433-3366
masterpieces to our local audiences,” said Collins. This fall the season kicked off with masterworks such as Vittorio Giannini’s Symphony No. 3 and Persichetti’s Symphony No. 6. As the series continues into the Spring, listeners can look forward to Gould’s “West Point Symphony” and the Symphony in B-flat by Hindemith. ff
climbed Old Rag Mountain in Virginia with my best friend. I love the sense of accomplishment you get once you reach the top, and seeing the world from a bird’s eye view is always such a fresh perspective. I also love reading and cooking. ff
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