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US and Italian Military Bands Perform at NSA Naples
Story Number: NNS130606-02
6/6/2013

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Travis Simmons, NSA Naples Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- A joint concert by the Italian army band, Fanfara dei Bersaglieri, and U.S. Naval Forces Europe (CNE) Band took place June 5 at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples.

The Italian band made a grand entrance to the Capodichino square by running in while playing the march of the Bersaglieri, "Flick Flock."

"The quality and the presentation of the band was absolutely phenomenal, not to mention that they play their instruments as part of their performance," said Capt. Scott Gray, commanding officer of NSA Naples. "It just made it all the more impressive."

After playing each other's national anthems, the bands performed three songs each to a crowd of more than 300 hundred community members.

"It's been a pleasure and an honor to work with the CNE Band because they are very professional and it's always been a good experience," said Warrant Officer Marco Di Lucia, conductor of the Fanfara dei Bersaglieri from the Garibaldi Brigade in Caserta.

Lucia thanked Capt. Gray for the invite as well as the audience for cheering them on and showing their appreciation after each piece.

One of the CNE Band's selected pieces was "Hands Across the Sea" by John Philip Sousa, which was written after his visit to Europe.

"He wrote it as a tribute to the partnership of the U.S. with the European countries," said Lt. David Latour, conductor for the CNE Band. "So it's a little token to our collaboration with the Italian community and the Italian military in our joint partnership."

The bands gathered together in the Capodichino Fellowship Hall after the performances to share in a light breakfast provided by the Naples Area First Class Petty Officers Association and the NSA Naples Second Class Petty Officers Association.

"It was an honor to have them here on the base," said Gray. "We look forward to hosting them in the future. They're not only a tribute to the Italian armed forces, but also Italy, and really represent them well."

For more news from Naval Support Activity Naples, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsanaples/.