THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 18, 1996 TAG: 9604180110
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALISON BOLOGNA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
IT TAKES MORE than dedication to get 90 musicians and their equipment from the Netherlands to Norfolk.
It also takes teamwork.
So it's fitting that in the spirit of NATO, the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy has packed its gear and has headed our way for the 43rd annual Azalea Festival.
``Having this band come for the festival ties into the meaning of NATO,'' said Lt. Cmdr. Alverson, director of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Band. ``We have to cooperate to make each performance happen.''
The Dutch government is flying the band here, but the Azalea Festival committee is helping once it arrives. The committee is providing two five-ton trucks to accommodate the band's instruments; another two five-ton trucks for the musicians' baggage; and three 30-seat buses and a minivan to move the musicians around Norfolk.
That might not be enough, said NATO officials, because the band is also bringing two sets of costumes - one for the parade and another for the concert.
The U.S. Atlantic Fleet Band is also helping. They're supplying sound systems and other larger equipment, including ``juice gooses'' to covert the electronics from 220 watts to 110 watts so the instruments will work.
``We're willing to help out as much as we can,'' Alverson said. ``After all, getting 90 musicians here takes some bucks.''
Rear Adm. Jacques Waltmann from the Royal Netherlands Navy agreed.
``The sponsors are important,'' he said. ``Fund raising is crucial because money is the oil that keeps the machine running.''
The band gives about 150 performances every year, from Indonesia to Canada. Challenges of performing on the road, for any military band, include jet lag and having little time to see other countries, Alverson said. Yet they keep on performing.
``It's demanding, but music is something we love,'' Alverson said. ``It's a part of our lives.''
The Netherlands band began in 1799 when ships' officers let musicians on board to entertain sailors. Since then, the band has grown to include a string ensemble, a dance orchestra and a combo - four musicians who alternate playing keyboards and percussion with trombones, saxophones, clarinets, guitars and bass-guitars.
The band isn't limited in the variety of music it plays. It performs traditional military marches and classical concert works as well as hard-rock, Beatles and Stevie Wonder.
``A band like this can be appreciated by everyone,'' Alverson said. ``This concert should not be limited to the military community, especially since this may be the only time that the people of Norfolk will be able to hear them.''
Alverson also said he hopes to learn new stylistic approaches and arrangements that his band can play.
``Nothing can prevent us from performing the music that we hear this week,'' Alverson said. ``I can read music just like they can read music.''
And that's why the concert is appropriate for the festival - it celebrates one of NATO's strengths: effective communication among its 16 member nations for the past 50 years.
``The language of music is universal,'' Alverson said. ``Even though we don't all speak the same language, I can stand in front of them (the Netherlands band), give them a down beat and they would play just like we would.'' MEMO: ALSO
Festival schedule of events/E2
ILLUSTRATION: AND THE BAND PLAYS ON
WHAT: The Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands will perform with the
U.S. Atlantic Fleet Band
WHEN: 10 a.m. Thursday at the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic.
They will also perform at 8 p.m. at the Chrysler Hall.
TICKETS: Free and available from all First Virginia Bank locations,
Waterside Festival Marketplace and the Hampton Roads Chamber of
Commerce.
by CNB