NSA Naples Hosts First Holiday Concert

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Donavan K Patubo | A member of the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples Middle High School band performs with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band during the NSA Naples holiday concert at Teatro Garibaldi in Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Italy, Dec. 15, 2019. NSA Naples is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied and partner nation forces to be where they are needed, when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Donavan K. Patubo)  

NAPLES, ITALY

12.15.2019

Story by Lt. Jamie Moroney 

U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples

Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Italy – Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples personnel and their families attended a holiday concert hosted by NSA Naples and the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band at Teatro Garibaldi, Dec. 15.
The NSA Naples Holiday Concert was held to celebrate the hard work and high performance of all area personnel, to include local nationals, civilians, and contractors, and their families.
Held in the beautiful and historic Teatro Garibaldi in Santa Maria Capua Vetere, this concert marks the beginning of a new tradition for the base and saw over 200 attendees.
“Our first NSA Naples Holiday Concert, with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band, was a huge success,” said Capt. Todd Abrahamson, commanding officer of NSA Naples and event host. “This means a great deal not only to me and my command, but more importantly to the community as it celebrates what we do together.”
Members of the NSA Naples community and their families filled the main floor as well as the box seats overlooking the stage.
“We had a diverse crowd of Italians and Americans, about 50% each, which really shows the strong bond that we have with our host nation,” said Abrahamson. “Holding the concert at Teatro Garibaldi really demonstrates the commitment we have to our host nation community.”
The U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band went through an energetic set list of holiday songs, many arranged by members of the band, delighting the crowd as they clapped along to the beat. The songs ranged from “Merry Christmas Baby” and “Eight Days of Hanukkah” to “Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle”, a classic Italian song.
“The concert was wonderful and I enjoyed every minute of it,” said Maria De Blasio, community liaison for NSA Naples. “The musicians and singers were superb and the band is truly the best. I heard nothing but positive comments from the audience as they left the theater.”
At the end of the show, Abrahamson took to the stage to request an encore, and surprised the audience by introducing 11 members of the Naples Middle High School band to play the final song, “Sleigh Ride”, with the U.S. Naval Forces Band.
“It was a real pleasure to have the opportunity to work with such talented students,” said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Coats, director, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band. “Any chance we have to integrate with the community, whether onboard NSA Naples or out in town with our host nation population, is something that we’re excited about and happy to do.”
Community members appreciated the event and are looking forward to a repeat performance in the future.
“The show was amazing and [my] kids loved it,” said Brandy Radke, member of the NSA Naples community and concert attendee. “It was so much fun to have a mixed audience of Italians and Americans coming together to enjoy holiday music. Having the students perform was such a special treat. We’ll definitely come back next year!”
NSA Naples is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed, when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia.
For more news on NSA Naples, please follow us on Instagram @NSANaples, Twitter @NSA_Naples, and Facebook at facebook.com/NSANaples/.

• Date Taken: 12.15.2019
• Date Posted: 12.17.2019 08:46
• Story ID: 355958
• Location: NAPLES, IT