Looking for a few good musicians

Highly versatile, the band or any of its various sub-groups, Ceremonial Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Pride, Brass Quintet, Woodwind Quintet, VIP Combo and TGIF, are perfect for the widest variety of musical settings including military ceremonies, public concerts and parades. The unit performs more than 500 engagements annually throughout the Southeastern U.S.

"I have a highly trained workforce of true professionals," said Collins. "They challenge me on a daily basis to offer something of value to them."

NBSE members are not only masters of their instruments, read music and have a firm knowledge of the theory of music, they excel academically as well. It is the only community in the Navy comprised of enlisted Sailors who are promoted from within. There is no officer community within the band unless promoted through the limited duty officer program. They are a highly trained workforce with 92 percent of the musicians having college experience. Sixty percent have a bachelor's degree, 18 percent hold master's degrees and there are currently 12 people who have earned their doctorate degrees.

Navy Band Southeast's Ceremonial Band is the traditional military band unit of the Southeast Region. As the musical representative of Commander, Navy Region Southeast, the ensemble performs more than 500 engagements annually. This 20-member ensemble performs conventional march music and patriotic favorites by composers such as John Phillip Sousa, Karl King, and Irving Berlin. The Ceremonial Band performs for military functions including change of command and retirement ceremonies and commissioning and decommissioning of ships and military units. The band is also available for public performances including parades, patriotic events and other civic functions.

"We are here to support the military first and foremost," said MUCM(SW) James Malmgren, assistant director. "We are also here to support events out in the community, such as patriotic openers, festivals and public concerts. A huge part of our mission is recruiting. We are continuously searching for quality musicians as well as helping to recruit Sailors for the fleet."

All Navy bands are field activities within the Navy Personnel Command's Career Management Department, Navy Music Program ManagementBranch out of Millington, Tenn. They set policy for all

bands so every band looks and operates the same.

Becoming part of a Navy band is not an easy feat. Those interested in the musician program must first meet with the recruiter to make sure they can qualify to come in the Navy and then set up an official audition. Any military band or musician recruiter can hold auditions. They assess what they hear and forward all the information to NPC where the final decision is made.

After recruit training, applicants approved for enlistment as a Navy musician (MU) attend the Navy School of Music in Little Creek, Va. The 21-week basic course of instruction includes classes in theory, ear training, private instrumental instruction and rehearsal in marching, concert and stage bands. After graduation, MUs are assigned to a naval activity, ashore or afloat, as a member of a Navy band.

Members of Navy Band Southeast perform for a crowd at Busch Gardens.

"Our job is one of the few rates in the Navy where you have to be able to do the job before you come in," said Malmgren. "The Navy can take other folks and train them in 'A' school to give them the skills necessary to perform in their rating, but you can't with our job because it's an artisan craft that takes years to develop. You have to be able to play to a certain ability before you can be accepted as an MU and go to the "A" school."

The Navy Music Program is composed of traditional band instrumentation, vocalist/entertainers, and rhythm players (electric bass, guitar, piano, and percussion).

Navy Band Southeast is comprised of six performing units. The band also has solo guitarists, pianists and vocalists who perform year round. Solo vocalists traditionally sing the national anthem at opening ceremonies.

Members of Navy Band Southeast give a performance during the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Fla.

"The best thing about being at this particular band is that everyone knows what they need to do and does it," said MU2 Gabrielle Herbert. "We don't need to be micromanaged or disciplined because we all do what we are supposed to do which takes away a lot of stress."

Navy Rock Band "Pride" is made up of eight performers. Pride plays a variety of Top-40 rock and roll music, entertaining audiences at local military events and public concerts throughout the Southeast Region.

The Navy Band Southeast's Jazz Ensemble performs the many different popular styles of jazz. They have entertained thousands of audiences throughout the Southeastern United States, Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with Latin beats and jazz classics.

With five members, the Woodwind Quintet performs for banquets, dining events, public concerts and school programs. The quintet plays classical and contemporary music from Bach to Mozart and Bernstein to Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Band students from Garner Magnet High School in Raleigh, N.C. get the opportunity to jam with members of Navy Band Southeast during a recent visit to the school.

The music of the Brass Quintet encompasses styles from traditional brass quintet literature to the popular music of today. The five performers play music suitable for music education clinics, receptions, military ceremonies, public concerts and schools including a unique educational program specifically designed for elementary children.

The Ceremonial Band has approximately 23 performers and offers a more patriotic musical style specializing in military change of commands, retirements and other military ceremonies.

The Marching Band, which utilizes all personnel, specializes in pass and reviews and military parades.

NBSE will conduct a Spring Concert Series highlighting some of their groups March, April and May. This is the first time they have ever put on this type of concert series. Concerts will be held at NAS Jacksonville, NS Mayport and NSB Kings Bay. The various sub-groups of the band will be highlighted each month.

"I want people to come out with their family and lawn chairs to enjoy the music," said Collins. "Music is such a powerful tool and I think it enhances the Navy's mission at large and is a universal language. I have seen it warm the hearts of people that I couldn't speak a word to but once we play, they start smiling and laughing and all of the sudden we create a dialog."

To request musical support from Navy Band Southeast, email your request to scott.foote@navy.mil or mail it to Navy Band Southeast, P.O. Box 62, NAS Jacksonville, FL 32212-0062. All requests must include the date, time and location of the event, command and point of contact including telephone number and an email address. For more information, call Navy Band Southeast at 542-5611.