A Message from the Commanding Officer

The Concert Band and Sea Chanters national tours to the Northeast region this spring were a huge success. I thank all of you who came out and supported us and I welcome those of you who are new to our Navy Band “family” as a result of signing up for Fanfare magazine or connecting with us online. It was great to see old friends and make new ones as well.

As our summer concert schedule begins this year, I encourage you to come out and attend a performance. Our ensembles have worked hard to bring you, our concert patrons, some of the best musical entertainment you will find anywhere and all for free. Throughout the summer months we perform weekly concerts at the U.S. Capitol along with our Concerts on the Avenue series at the Navy Memorial and performances at additional venues throughout the region. If you have friends or family visiting the Washington, D.C., area, what better way to spend an evening in our nation’s capital?

Our 11th annual High School Concerto Competition concert will be held on May 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Va. The top three high school musicians will be awarded cash prizes, graciously provided by the National Capital Council – Navy League of the United States, and the winner will perform their solo with the Concert Band. These deserving young musicians have worked very hard and had to overcome some stiff competition to play at this concert and we applaud their efforts. We like to think that someday one of these fine young musicians may very well be playing in “The World’s Finest.”

Enjoy your summer and let us be a part of your plans this year.

Brian O. Walden, Captain, USN
Commanding Officer/Leader