U.S., Romanian Navy Bands Perform in Concert in Constanta

Photo By Chief Petty Officer David Holmes | Petty Officer 3rd Class Lindsey Tekverk dances with Romanian navy band director Maj. Cornel Ignat during a joint concert by the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band and the Romanian Naval Academy Band, Nov. 3, 2008, at the Mircea Cel Batran Military Naval Academy. The performance was conducted during USS Mount Whitney's four-day port visit, highlighted by the Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, Vice Adm. Bruce W. Clingan's meeting with Romanian Chief of Naval Forces Staff Dorin Danila to discuss ongoing Black Sea maritime partnerships.  

11.03.2008

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class David Holmes  

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet

By Petty Officer 2nd Class David Holmes,
U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Sixth Fleet

CONSTANTA, Romania – A joint concert by the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band and the Romanian Naval Academy Band was conducted, Nov. 3, 2008, at Mircea Cel Batran Military Naval Academy as part of a recent visit by USS Mount Whitney.

Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, Vice Adm. Bruce W. Clingan, and Romanian Chief of Naval Forces Staff Rear Adm. Dorin Danila met during Mount Whitney's visit to discuss ongoing Black Sea maritime partnerships. Both the official meetings and the joint concert were highlights of the U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship's visit from Oct. 31- Nov. 4.

"The concert was a tremendous success, both for our side and for the Romanians," said Senior Chief Musician Kenneth Keller, the Leading Chief Petty Officer for CNE Band.

"Music is an international language and, no matter what verbal language we speak, music is something that crosses all boundaries," added Keller. "The impact we had on the future leaders of the Romanian Navy, will be a positive experience they carry into their careers."

The two bands played for a crowd of more than 200 students and faculty, including Romanian Naval Academy Midshipmen. But of all the guests present, one Constanta native stood out to Keller: his mother-in-law.

"The Romanian band director was nice enough to get her a pass on their base," said Keller. "She had never heard me perform before, so it was a special moment for her to be there and for her to be a part of it."

After the official concert ended, the CNE band was treated to a reception that turned into an impromptu jam session. As musicians from both countries joined in, the smiles, laughter and applause revealed the new friendships through the bonds shared between them.

"It was a big pleasure to be together today and a big surprise for us," said Romanian Navy Band Director Major Cornel Ignat. "My boys are very happy about what happened today, and we hope to repeat it very soon."

Following the performance, Keller said that he would like to see Romanian musicians become part of the CNE Band. The CNE Band, composed of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps musicians, hosts representatives from Greece, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Mount Whitney, home ported in Gaeta, Italy, is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the Black Sea and will host the 2nd annual Black Sea Partnership Cruise, a multinational event commencing, Nov. 10, 2008, designed to strengthen ongoing partnerships and increase interoperability among Black Sea nations.

• Date Taken: 11.03.2008
• Date Posted: 11.05.2008 11:27
• Story ID: 25953