Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Lavender | Alton Augustus Adams Jr. and Navy Rear Adm. Cynthia Covell, Deputy Chief of Navy...... read more read more
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MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Members of Navy Band Mid-South dedicated their building, Sept. 10, 2012, aboard Naval Support Activity Mid-South in honor of the first Navy African-American bandmaster.
The Adams Building was named for Chief Musician Alton Augustus Adams, the first African-American bandmaster, who also held the distinction of being one of the first African American Navy chief petty officers. Adams was born in 1889 and was a native of the Danish West Indies.
“We are here to honor one of America’s greatest bandmasters,” said Navy Rear Adm. Cynthia Covell, deputy chief of Naval Personnel and commander, Navy Personnel Command. “Chief Adams was not only the United States Navy’s first African-American bandmaster, he was also a writer, musician, and inspired cultural activist who believed that music could change the world, mitigate racism and help bring lasting prosperity to his island home while embodying the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment.”
The dedication ceremony included a presentation of colors, invocation, guest speakers and a special presentation of a flag passing ceremony of the national ensign. The flag will be displayed inside the Adams Building.
“It is a great honor to be present and represent the men and women of the Navy music community at such an auspicious occasion,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ken Collins, Head, Navy Music Program. “We, the current bandmasters and musicians, owe a great deal to those that came before us, and naming this facility after Chief Adams provides a tangible link, ensuring Chief Adams’ name and legacy will be passed from one generation of [Navy Musicians] to the next.”
Adams witnessed the Danish West Indies become a sovereign U.S. territory in 1916. The United States, fearing the islands may be used as a German forward submarine base, purchased the islands from Denmark in the Treaty of the Danish West Indies of 1916, and they were renamed the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Adams had an early talent and interest in music, reading music magazines and even fashioning his own piccolo out of a piece of wood and some paper because flutes were too expensive. Adams also formed his first ensemble called the Adams Juvenile Band.
In 1917, Adams and his entire band were inducted into the U.S. Navy by presidential order, making them the first African Americans to receive official musical appointments in the Navy. This made Adams the first African American bandmaster in the Navy. Their appointments helped ease the racial tension present on the island between an all-white Naval administration and a predominately black community.
Adams personally selected and trained his musicians, emphasizing that the time had come for the military band to be treated with respect by composers and should have a status equal to the top orchestras of the day. Through his high standard of leadership, he created and maintained one of the top musical ensembles while establishing a tradition of quality that continues in Navy music today.
One of Adam’s greatest Navy achievements was embarking on a Navy-sponsored tour of the U.S. East Coast in 1924 to promote his belief that the arts could create change against social injustices that were present in the U.S. at that time. Adams continued his service into World War II, serving in the nearby nation of Cuba at Guantanamo Bay.
“One of his marches, ‘The Spirit of the USN’ was actually written for President Coolidge,” said Alton Adams Jr., Adams’ surviving son. “He really enjoyed what the Navy did as part of his tour not only in Washington D.C., but also in New York and Philadelphia and in Boston; all parts of New York. And he was able to meet some of his fellow bandmasters; [John Phillip Sousa] was a good friend of his.“
Following his Navy service, Adams continued to play a visible role in his community through various business and community relations until the last years of his life. He passed away, Nov. 23, 1987, a few weeks before his 98th birthday.
“He enjoyed not only that part of the Navy, but he also enjoyed his writings,” said Adams. “He wrote for several years for the Jacobs Band Monthly, which was, of course, the publication in the early 1900s. He was the senior band editor and that he enjoyed very much.”
Covell and Alton Adams Jr. unveiled the building dedication plaque beside the entrance of the Mid-South Navy Band’s new headquarters building.
“It’s very touching and it’s something we certainly appreciate,” said Adams. “I appreciate and the rest of the family appreciates this because it highlights the legacy of my father, his love for the Navy and, of course, the accomplishments that he has been able to achieve.”
“Chief Musician Alton Augustus Adams was a true renaissance man who benefitted the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the U.S. Navy and his adopted nation,” said Covell.
Covell spoke about his professionalism and spirit of service being not only an inspiration to all members of the Navy Music Program but something each of us can aspire to emulate his example.
“We are lucky and forever grateful that we will now have a building here near Memphis and on our Navy base that bears his name. We must all strive to ‘find the music in ourselves’ that will help us to serve with the same honor, courage and commitment displayed by Chief Musician Alton Augustus Adams,” said Covell.
Navy Band Mid-South is the United States Navy's "oldest and finest musical organization in the Mid-South." The band operates from Millington, Tennessee, and is responsible for a 12-state area of operation with seven ensembles to help accomplish their mission. They recently completed their move into their new headquarters building which will better enable them to perform their mission in supporting their area of responsibility.
| Date Taken: | 09.10.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2012 17:41 |
| Story ID: | 94530 |
| Location: | MILLINGTON, TENNESSEE, US |
| Web Views: | 225 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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