A Childhood Dream Realized
By MUCM James Cunningham
(This article appeared in "Inside Annapolis Magazine" in 1997).

In 1887 Bandmaster Peter Schoff, the United States Naval Academy Band's fifth leader, retired and was replaced by a 26-year-old cornetist Charles Zimmermann, remembered as the composer of the Navy's official song, "Anchors Aweigh." He was the son of Charles Z. Zimmermann, a member of the band during the Civil War years.

In 1948, a young trumpet player and his family reported for duty with the Naval Academy Band, a tour that was to last 25 years. Master Chief Musician Ralph F. Gambone served in the band as a trumpet and clarinet instrumentalist, arranger, conductor, operations chief and, finally, as the leading chief. Sons of bandsmen have often aspired to follow in their father's footsteps and become members of "The Navy's Oldest and Finest band." One such son is now the 23rd leader of the band.

Lt. Cmdr. Ralph M. Gambone, the eldest son of Ralph F. and Isabel Gambone, grew up in Annapolis attending Eastport Elementary School, old Annapolis Junior High and Annapolis Senior High School.

"When Ralph was 10-years-old, I decided to start him on the clarinet to give him some focus," the elder Ralph said. "He always did well in school, but after about 30 minutes of homework, he was outside playing. I was a strict teacher and gave him a practice regimen to be followed daily. He was playing long tones by 6:30 a.m., playing in the school band during the day and practicing etudes (musical exercises) after school. It was apparent very early on that he was a natural talent."

He was a member of the Annapolis Junior High School Band, under the direction of Ms. Alice Harper, that performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago in 1959. In 1963, he won a scholarship to attend Peabody Preparatory School and as a result was selected to perform a solo with the Naval Academy Band, a precursor of things to come.

Gambone said, "The USNA Band Wives Club began offering a one semester scholarship to Peabody Preparatory School. The scholarship and the opportunity to solo with the Naval Academy Band was awarded to the winner of a formal audition held at Annapolis Junior High. I just happened to win the first year it was offered."

His father added, "Because I was a member of the band, I was reluctant to let Ralph enter, but Max Corrick, the band leader at the time, convinced me to let him try and to let the judges decide. He did so well in that first year at Peabody that, when the scholarship ran out, his instructor gave him a second year at his expense."

He was selected for the Maryland All-State Band in 1964 and the All-State Band and Orchestra in 1965 where he performed as principle clarinetist. He also played a clarinet solo with the Annapolis High School Band, under the direction of Ken Paige, at the 1965 World's Fair in New York City. He graduated in May 1965 and entered Towson State College as a music education major in the fall of that year.

After receiving his bachelor's degree from Towson State, Gambone enlisted in the United States Navy as a seaman in 1969. He was assigned to the Naval Academy Band as a clarinet instrumentalist and also served as conductor of the Midshipmen Stage and Concert Bands. When asked about those early years in the Navy, Gambone said, "Every Wednesday at 11 a.m., the band would perform a concert in the Chapel Walk Bandstand. About the only living thing around were the squirrels that scurried about as we played. The band members referred to these performances as Squirrel Concerts. When Cmdr. Ned Muffley was the band leader (1972-1973), the band performed concerts that featured members of the Annapolis Summer Garden Theater and the Colonial Players. The cast members would sing songs from their latest production. We always had a full house for these performances."

He spoke a little about his "off-duty" time. "In the early seventies, when the renovation of the City Dock and surrounding area was just beginning, Annapolis was still a sleepy little town. I liked being able to get a parking space on Main Street at 9 p.m. on a Friday night right in front of my favorite place, the old Port of Annapolis where pianist Dick Gessner played. The Port and the Red Coach Inn were about the only things happening in downtown Annapolis at the time." While at the Naval Academy Band he earned a master of music degree from Catholic University in Washington.

He departed in 1974 for Gaeta, Italy, and a tour of duty aboard the cruiser USS Little Rock (CLG-4). Petty Officer 1st Class Gambone attained a major career goal with his assignment to the United States Navy Band in Washington. This is, incidentally, the same band from which his father retired after 32 years of active duty. After three years with the Navy Band and a promotion to Chief Petty Officer, he was assigned as assistant budget manager for the Navy Music Program.

In 1981, he was commissioned as an Ensign and spent the next 15 years gaining valuable experience serving at many places and in many capacities. His travels took him to Yokosuka, Japan, San Diego, Calif., the School of Music in Little Creek, Va., the United States Navy Band and the Pentagon. His performance, as both musician and administrator, over those years led to steady promotions and to his current assignment as leader of the United States Naval Academy Band in August 1996.

"Returning to the Academy as leader of the Navy's oldest band is a dream come true. It has always been my goal to come home as the band leader, but for a while it just didn't seem like it would happen. Being able to work with these outstanding musicians is truly a rewarding experience. I just couldn't ask for a better group of professionals. We are very fortunate because we have terrific support from our command. From the Superintendent, Adm. Charles Larson, and the Commandant, Capt. Randy Bogle, on down the chain of command, we are treated as important members of the Naval Academy family."

Speaking of family, he is married to the former Darlene Metzler of Severn, and has two children, Angela and Michael.

"Angela did play clarinet in school, but opted for a career in nursing, which she is very well suited for. Michael plays drums in a group and has made all-county jazz band for the past two years. His band director, Sandy Balderson, is the daughter of former Naval Academy Band member Vincent Gerrior. In addition to my father, my brother Mark performed as a clarinetist with the band for seven years. He left a few years ago and took one of the French hornists, Amiee Hoover, with him as his wife.

"Today's Naval Academy Band is a far cry from the 13 men who reported to Annapolis over a century ago," said Gambone. "In addition to providing musical support for the Brigade of Midshipmen, it has taken on additional roles as support for Navy recruiting and representing the Navy in patriotic performances throughout the Eastern United States.

"Today's Naval Academy bandsman performs a wide range of musical styles ranging from concert band to smaller chamber music ensembles. In the early 70s, the band's first rock music ensemble was formed, adding a more contemporary flair to the band's more traditional repertoire. This group has evolved into the nine-member 'Electric Brigade,' the Navy's premier popular music ensemble. Each of our chamber groups, the woodwind and brass quintets, tuba, clarinet and saxophone quartets, and percussion ensemble present informative demonstration concerts to thousands of elementary school children, introducing them to the individual instruments and providing an outstanding image of the U.S. Navy."

Each year the band hosts a High School Festival Concert where outstanding area high school musicians perform alongside Naval Academy Band members. A nationally acclaimed guest conductor provides the students with a rare opportunity to learn and perform in a professional setting.

Many Annapolitans associate the Naval Academy Band with memories of football march-overs through the streets of Annapolis to Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Others associate the band with 20 years of Tuesday evening concerts at the City Dock in the summer.

"We will continue our fall and spring concert series on the Yard, as well as the summer dock series. Our support for the Mayor, Al Hopkins, and the city likewise will continue to be strong. I also hope to help promote the importance of music in our schools by supporting our local band directors with various performing units from our band, continuing the side by side concerts and possibly expanding our Solo Concerto Competition. I do not believe the Naval Academy Band would be in existence today if it were not for the support of the citizens of Annapolis."

As one of this nation's oldest continuing musical organizations, the present membership of the band looks ahead with great anticipation to the future. Each member hopes to add his or her share to the progress which has seen a walrus-mustachioed fifer and drummer grow into one of America's top-ranking musical organizations.

MUCM James Cunningham is a Master Chief Musician in the Naval Academy Band Public Affairs Office.

© 1997 Inside Annapolis Magazine

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