Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Blow the Man Down! I say not!

by Musician 1st Class Amanda Polychronis

Not even tornados can keep the Sea Chanters from completing the Navy Band mission on night 15 of our 21-day tour. Yesterday we arrived in North Platte, Neb., relieved to learn that both our concert site and hotel were spared from Sunday evening’s tornados. Three twisters were reported to have touched ground, one of which was just four miles from our concert site. This didn’t keep the people of North Platte from supporting the Navy at our concert and for this we are greatly appreciative! Our hearts go out to the injured and to those who have lost their homes and are now faced with the daunting task of cleaning up and rebuilding. The Sea Chanters are honored that you came despite Mother Nature, and we wish you the best of luck for a speedy recovery!

To add to our already eventful day, the Sea Chanter chief petty officers hosted our annual tour party. They do this every year on tour, and it never disappoints. During the party our tour managers officiate the SCAM-E awards ceremony (Sea Chanter Achievement Medal for Excellence) where each member of our ensemble gets an award-usually for something incredibly silly and humorous, but sometimes also for something sweet. It just so happens that my tour roommate of six years, Musician 1st Class Casey Elliott, got such an award and it was for being the best roommate. And indeed she is! Word got out that every morning before we depart for our next destination there’s a wrapped and dated gift waiting for me to open. It’s Christmas every day, or maybe more like Hanukkah! Today’s gift was a beautiful Navy anchor on a long silver chain. Gifts or no gifts she truly is the best. Thanks for thinking of me shipmate!


About the Author

Musician 1st Class Amanda Polychronis joined the Navy Band in November 2006. She holds a Bachelor of Music in both vocal performance and choral music education from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Music in operatic performance from Arizona State University.

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