<p>Most Midshipmen are departing the Yard this afternoon( mine just boarded his flight towards home ) for all parts of the globe.....many are traveling with their sports teams to train in warmer climes, others such as the USNA Men's Glee Club are headed to Argentina and Chile along with the "Supe".....and still many more are headed home to enjoy family and friends ..............may they all enjoy a well deserved leave wherever they land and then return safely to Mother Bancroft on Sunday, 3/22/09.</p>
<p>oh wow… men’s glee club sounds like it would be so cool! does anyone know how auditions work? or how many plebes get to make it? i’ve been doing choir for a while and it seems like it would be such a nice break from the “stressful” environment to just go and sing.</p>
<p>My Plebe is a member of the Women’s Glee Club. They’re “only” going to Florida for spring break this year! One way to get involved is to try out for one of the choirs (Protestant or Catholic) during Plebe Summer. This past year, at the end of PS, choir members were given the chance to audition for the Glee Clubs. There are bound to be other auditions, but that’s the route my Plebe took.</p>
<p>Being in either Glee Club has been a great experience this year. In addition to the spring break concert tours, they recently sang for the Distinguished Graduates awards presentation and dinner. My Plebe said it was inspiring to see current and former Navy and MC admirals and generals (Gen. Pace was one of this year’s award winners.). Earlier in the year, they worked long hours to provide the choral background for the new USNA TV ads (the Gospel choir did, too). They sang in the Inauguration kickoff celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. Every December they perform Handel’s Messiah. They will also be performing during Commissioning week. </p>
<p>It is a lot of work, but as in any good team, there is a real esprit de corps.</p>
<p>“Not very cool” ?
My 2012 has performed in NYC for the reopening of the Intrepid Museum. He traveled to the commissioning of the carrier George Bush, and performed for the former Bush and first Lady. He traveled to DC for the HBO inauguration concert, and performed for all of America on TV. Friday he traveled to South America for 10 days to perform and sight see. Hmmmm… not very cool ?
Where have you been bluesky2012?
If you have a talent, audition and have fun with them.</p>
<p>If you have the voice . . . go for it. They get to travel a lot and, as has been mentioned, have had some really awesome opportunties.
Same goes for D&B . . . if you can read music, go for it.<br>
You have a close-knit group of friends upon which you can rely. they just got back from Mardi-Gras and had a good time.
As one friend told me about the musical groups, we get to travel as much or more than the sports teams without the pressure of having to “win” on game day. I think what he meant is that they get to travel and enjoy themselves while on a trip.</p>
<p>Anyway, the way I see it, the only guys who think its “not cool” are those guys who are stuck doing a club sport or otherwise to occupy their time. Or . . maybe they’re just jealous about the away time these guys get.</p>
<p>But be it the glee club or other USNA activities, take caution. Travel opps are great for spring break and other down times. They’re not always what they’re cracked up to be when classes, assignments, exams, etc. must be made up.</p>
<p>This is not like being in the Model U.N. or having a softball game @ neighboring Podunk High.</p>
<p>Some of the top members of the Brigade are involved in activities such as Glee and D&B and sports.
Are you suggesting that only those who remain captiv e on the yard do well?
Believe me, you will want every opportunity you can take to get off the yard.
Managing activities is part of the deal here.</p>
<p>Wow in three years on the yard I have never heard that men’s glee club was uncool - D&B gets a bad wrap but Glee Club - this is a new one.</p>
<p>Every opportunity to get off the yard is bonus, especially as a plebe. Most of the top members of the class are involved in activities that get them away.</p>
<p>Well, if Glee Club is “not very cool,” they sure have a lot of fun being “not very cool” together! OBTW, the fall semester Brigade Commander is a Glee Club member…guess he’s “not very cool” either…</p>
<p>IMO, WP and oldmid both make valid points regarding time and activities while at USNA. It’s GREAT for Plebes to have an activity (sport, Glee Club, D&B, whatever) that allows them to get out of Bancroft, or even off the Yard. It’s an opportunity to de-stress, and to be treated as human beings, even by the upper classes. However, the ability to continue in your sport/activity can come to a screeching halt if Plebes (or older Mids) don’t stay SAT academically or otherwise. So, find some ECA to join, have fun, but stay SAT!</p>
<p>The Men’s Glee Club is well respected by many…and do command performances. At the request of President Bush (41), they sang for the commissioning of the new aircraft carrier GHW Bush… with 5 of the 8 four star admirals in the fleet in attendance!<br>
It does take a lot of time, but if it is something you enjoy… try out. My mid never sang until he went to the Academy… and look where is has taken him!</p>
<p>I thought I’d put my two cents in for what it’s worth. As a four-year member of the men’s glee club, (about to graduate in May, woo!!) I believe it was one of the best opportunities I’ve had to be involved with at the Academy. While we work hard, and the time put into making the music we do can make classwork more challenging, it has all been completely rewarding. While we do “sacrifice” spring break in order to go on tour, we get to do things which no one else ever does. Our Chile/Argentina trip was a complete success, not only in execution and cultural experience, but also in a true impact made on the communities down there. The defense attache with the embassy in Santiago even went to far as to say that, in two days, the glee club had accomplished more for building relations in that country than they had in the four years he had been there. Aside from doing the tourist things in Santiago and Buenos Aires, we also were able to visit both the Chilean and Argentine Naval Academies, meeting and connecting with cadets there, as well. So for those of you future-mids out there, I highly encourage giving it a go (and yes, the way to get to audition for glee club is to be in one of the religious choirs in the summer, though if you don’t do that, you can always get in contact with the music department later…no guarantees that spots will be open later in the year, though). Hope you’re getting ready for plebe summer, good luck!!</p>
<p>Very good to see. SOUTHCOM/C4F’s mission differs from other Joint Commands and Numbered Fleets, in that their “mission” is to build relations. Hence, why we send USNS medical ships and partnership missions down south. I am sure ADM Stravidis had a play in sending MIDN to Chile/Argentina. </p>
<p>Now seeing things from the operational side of the Fleet and the ongoing economic crisis, I hope that the Supe and top Navy brass are taking a hard look at the spending on activities at USNA (this isn’t limited to just Glee Club). The Fleet is in dire need of money (I am not going to go into specifics), but every little bit of money helps. Without knowing the exact funding of activities, I hope there are some good decisions being made. I’m not saying to cut anything, but just seeing what trips/events can be minimized to ensure the most efficient spending for our Navy.</p>
<p>^^^ Just remember that much of the money used for EC’s, sports, and movement orders is not government funded but is money generously donated by USNA supporters through the foundation.</p>
<p>Yes, I know some funding does come from Alumni/supporters. I don’t exactly know how the Navy’s funds are allocated within USNA, but like I mentioned, I just hope that it is being spent wisely.</p>
<p>Just curious bluesky, what is considered cool at the Naval Academy? Is the silent drill team or air rifle team considered cool? Just wondering what the mid’s opinions towards these programs are.</p>
:(:(</p>