Music from the sea

Talking about the band,the youngest director of music in Navy,Lt Commander Satish K Champion,says that military bands usually played Marshal music conveying emotions of martyrdom but with time,there are changes and now they have different instruments and genres like rock music within their realm. Earlier they had wind and percussion instruments only but now they also have keyboard. “We can use the instruments that can be used in a parade,” says Lt Com Champion.

Founder president of IMF,Commodore Rajan Vir,says,“IMF has been constantly working towards raising awareness of oceans and rekindle maritime consciousness and pride among people and make sea-minded. This year the theme is Climate change and the slogan is — Am I reducing my carbon footprint? I am happy that Naval band is coming,as they are hugely popular. Their last performance in the city was in 2007.”

Champion,who is also the principal of Naval School of Music,says,“Unlike other bands,we have a formal approach towards the process of making music,otherwise its similar to music schools as we also have classrooms,training area and a recording studio. The department comprises a total of 472 officers,out of which 128 are in the band. Fifty-five of us will be coming to Pune,while this will be our first performance in Pune,we had participated in a band display at Balewadi.”

Though the band practices in a recording studio,but they are more into live performances. “Our most performances re instrumental,however,going by the recent trend,at times we need to use lyrics. Moreover,we don’t repeat out music pieces. So we need to compose music and practice before every performance,” he adds.

The interesting fact about the band is that unlike other military band,this comprises of people from different cornets of the country and that gives it an edge,as music is diverse but unified in single tune. “It is literal and figurative harmony,” puts Lt Com Champion.

Gita Vir will compere the programme and Natasha Anchees would perform as as a guest vocalist.