John D. Fluck
Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy (Retired)

Born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, LCDR Fluck is a graduate of Liberty High School in that city. He began his musical studies at an early age with piano lessons at age seven and arranging and composition at age 15. He enlisted in the Navy in 1958 and attended the Navy School of Music in Washington, DC.

His Navy music assignments took him twice to Japan with the Commander, Naval Force Japan Band in Yokosuka, and to the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as piano and arranging instructor, rehearsal conductor and staff arranger. In 1970 LCDR Fluck was appointed a warrant officer and assigned as director of the Naval Air Station Band in Pensacola, Florida. He returned to the School of Music as director of the Navy Show Band in 1972 and accompanied the band on two South American tours in conjunction with the Navy's military exercises (UNITAS) with South American allies. Commissioned a lieutenant (junior grade) in 1974, he was named director of the Navy Band Fleet Support Unit in Norfolk. In subsequent assignments, he served as director of the Atlantic Fleet Band, also based in Norfolk; as assistant leader of the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C.; and as assistant program manager of the Navy Music Program.

LCDR Fluck was assigned as Assistant Director of the Naval Academy band in July 1987 and became director of the band in August 1988. During his brief tenure as the band's director, he presented several imaginative programs, including a big band spectacular, an evening of African-American music, a concert of Asian music, and a joint concert with the Air Force Tactical Command Band. LCDR Fluck retired in July 1989. During his career, he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal and four Navy Commendation Medals.

Since retirement, LCDR Fluck has remained active as a freelance musician in the Washington, DC area. An accomplished arranger, LCDR Fluck's works are well known and have been performed by many of the premier service bands and numerous civilian music groups. His arrangements for stage band are published by Warner Brothers Publications. He and his wife Kuniko reside in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and have two grown children and five grandchildren.

HISTORY