Navy Weeks for Moms of Musicians

[Lisa Pedlar]

Have you Musician Moms heard of or attended Navy Weeks? It's a great way to see your artist (and or even mine!!) perform. If you haven't been to a Navy Week, check out information about them on this website and try to attend a band performance in your area next year. Also see www.navyweek.org for links to the band promo videos.

I'm excited about these events because, after having served 2 years in the Navy, I finally had the opportunity to see my son perform - twice! The Navy Mid-South Freedom (rock band) was at the Navy Week in Knoxville, TN, this month. It was a full week of daily performances and the band members were exhausted, but they did me proud! I knew I was attending a professional musician's concert when I heard the talent on that stage.

[Kathy C., Danielle's Mom]

I'm jealous - Danielle is with the Seventh Fleet Band in Japan so I haven't had a chance to see her perform other than on video clips she sends me or I find on youtube. I can't wait til she is stationed state side so we can go to one of these Navy Weeks. I saw a few months ago they had one in New York and the Navy Band performed on the Today Show.

[MaryK.13(Ship3Div043)]

How do you become apart of a Naval band? My son is going into BC on Nov 4th and he is an amazing trumpet player. I was hoping he would stay with him music, but I don't know what his options are at this point.

Anyone out there that can help?

Thanks!

M.K

[Susie-Mom of BlackGryphon]

I wish I could help. My son didn't originally sign on for music. He was a SEAL candidate but had to drop due to an injury. He switched to the best rate available to him at the time but was 'sponsored' for an audition before his A-school began. Apparently this was very unusal, and he even got some flack about it from one of his superiors. Anyway, your son will probably have to fulfill his original contract first, but he can always audition when that is fulfilled. Then again, I could be wrong. Even though my son has been in the Navy a year, the learning curve is still pretty steep!

[Lisa Pedlar]

My suggestion would be to talk with his recruiter ASAP and let him know about the talent your son has. See what he can do on his end.

[Susie-Mom of BlackGryphon]

Hey, Lisa. Is your son in the Mid-South band? Is that the band based in Memphis? It looks like my son's orders will be for the Memphis band, which makes me very happy given that we are relatively nearby. Originally he was told he might go to Japan, but Memphis requested a 'versatile male vocalist' so that's where he will probably end up. He graduates in February. Susie

[Lisa Pedlar]

Yes, Millington has a great base and awesome music program - it's the HQ for Navy Music so they have an opportunity to showcase their talents. Several of their musicians are either retiring or relocating, so there are openings coming up. Their bands are extremely busy covering not only their territory but backing up other bands who have more gigs that they can handle. Since the base has so many amenities, many retirees live there, which means trumpet players perform taps for their memorials. The base is about 45 minutes from Memphis and they have many gigs there which you can catch if you're close by. Pls video for me if you can :+) I'm looking forward to hearing where your son's final orders take him. Mid-South Band now has a Facebook sight, too. Check it out - it's got photos of all the bands. Lisa

[Susie-Mom of BlackGryphon]

Thanks, Lisa. Yesterday I saw the Mid South demo on YouTube and got to see your son's picture. I told my son last night that I 'met' you on N4M. Gabe is by far the youngest at the school (19). He is a gifted vocalist but has very little musical training, so I was worried about the tough classes. Last night he told me he got a 3.7 in his ear training, which apparently is good. He is also a month ahead in his theory class, so I guess he's keeping up pretty well. He got a 2.9 on his incoming but hasn't had his first benchmark yet.

How long has your son been in the Mid South band? I will definitely video any performances I see. If Gabe does end up in "Freedom" with your son, perhaps we will meet someday soon! Thanks so much for the information. I love N4M because of people like you!!

[Lisa Pedlar]

Hey Susie - so glad Gabe is doing well...he's at music C school in Virginia, right? my son graduated a year ago February from there and Mid-South was his first station. Tell him to study hard now and the rest will be easier for him. I mentioned him to my son who is currently sponsoring 2 new musicians. As Gabe nears his graduation from C School, he will be assigned a sponsor from his assignment location - -he will serve as a mentor and will assist him in adjusting to his new life. Perhaps they will be matched up...we can hope, huh?

[Susie-Mom of BlackGryphon]

He is in music school in Virginia now. He just finished his theory mid-term and got between 3.5, 3.9, and two 4.0s on the different sections. Yay! He also found out this week that he has the highest score in ear training.

That would be awesome if our sons matched up! Gabe is a great kid, but he is chatty and very adventurous (skydiver, scuba diver, wall climber... he joined the Navy under a seal contract and was dropped for injury. He intends to try again.) He is also apparently pretty young as he's the youngest in the school of music right now. Is your son a patient young man? lol Actually Gabe has been very successful in his Navy adventure so far and just celebrated his 1 YEAR Navy anniversary. I can hardly believe it!

Is there anyway I can find out when Freedom is playing near the Tennessee Valley? I would love to see them and would like to meet your son also.

[Susie-Mom of BlackGryphon]

Hey, Lisa...Gabe got his orders last week. He is defintely headed for Memphis. His grad date is supposed to be 2/13, but he has been accelerated, so I don't know if that will change. I'll keep you posted. Let me know if Freedom will be playing down this way anytime soon. I'd love to see them and to meet your son!