Navy Musicians Association
| Abbreviation | NMA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1995 |
| Type | Veterans' Organization |
| Legal status | Tax-exempt 501(c)(19) |
| Purpose | Fraternal, Service |
Membership | Past and present U.S. Navy musicians |
President | Terry Chesson [1] |
| Website | navymusicians.org |
The Navy Musicians Association (NMA) is a non-profit veterans organization of past and present United States Navy musicians. The NMA was founded in 1995 and has become a 501 (c) (19) tax exempt veteran's organization under the U.S. Tax Code.
Mission
The purpose of the Navy Musicians Association is "to bring together, through annual reunions, past and present members of Navy bands; to promote camaraderie; to emphasize the importance of music in the Navy; and to maintain liaison with active bands in the Navy and Marine Corps, in order to preserve the tradition of Navy music."[2]
Membership Eligibility
All past and present members of official United States Navy bands are eligible for membership in the Navy Musicians Association. A special Life Membership is available to members aged 75 years or older.
History
The NMA was founded in 1995 by a group of retired Navy musicians residing in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia who had served at the United States Armed Forces School of Music and in the United States Atlantic Fleet band. The organization has grown to accept former and present members of all official U.S. Navy bands.
Reunions
The annual reunion of the Navy Musicians Association is held in June of each year. During the four-day affair, members form concert bands, big bands and jazz combos that rehearse daily and perform at concerts, dances and jam sessions. A reunion highlight, when location and scheduling permit, is a concert of patriotic music by an active-duty Navy band. Reunions are held in Virginia Beach, Virginia in odd-number years, and at various other locations in even-numbered years. Recent locations have included:
- 2004 -- Orlando, Florida
- 2006 -- Louisville, Kentucky
- 2008 -- Memphis, Tennessee
- 2010 -- San Antonio, Texas
- 2012 -- Orlando, Florida
Leger Lines
The Navy Musicians Association's quarterly newsletter is Leger Lines, whose title is borrowed from that of the former newsletter of the U.S. Navy Music Program. Leger Lines is published quarterly and sent to all members.
O.L. McMillan Scholarship Fund
The O.L. McMillan Scholarship Fund provides an annual cash award to a young college music major selected by a panel of judges from among all those nominated by members of the Navy Musicians Association. [3]
References
- ^ "Officers & Directors". Navymusicians.org. 2011-04-18. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
- ^ "Navy Musicians Association". Navymusicians.org. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
- ^ "O.L. McMillan Scholarship Fund" in Leger Lines, Vol. 2, Issue 9, Winter, 2008, p.11