Naval association gets its own quick march

Royal Australian Navy Band Chief Petty Officer musician Martyn Hancock has composed a new march, Once Navy, Always Navy, as a tribute to the Naval Association of Australia in this, its centenary year.

CAPTION: Naval Association of Australia National President David Manolas, Vice President Lorraine Grey and NSW Section President Keith Grimley hold ‘Once Navy, Always Navy’ commemorative compact discs featuring the new recording.

The quick march was commissioned by Director of Music-Navy Commander Cassandra Mohapp.

CPO Hancock said composing the piece was a unique and rewarding experience.

“With many marches now under my belt, I like to make each one different. Once Navy, Always Navy is no exception,” CPO Hancock said.

“Although the music draws from sources inspired by my previous compositions – orchestral film music, and nautical melodies – the march is like none other of mine and I’m very happy with the result.”

CMDR Mohapp applauded CPO Hancock on his achievement by highlighting the importance of his work to the wider Navy organisation.

“This composition represents how important Navy is to all of us,” she said.

“Once Navy, Always Navy is not a cliché; it is our spoken commitment to each other and our Navy family – a family that represents all those who have served, those who continue to serve, those yet to serve, and to our partners and family who support us to serve.”

CPO Hancock attended the association’s Tasmania section anniversary dinner to mark the centenary on October 20. On behalf of the Navy Band, he presented a professionally printed musical score of the march to the president, Brian Ellis.

In February, the band recorded the music at Trackdown Studios in Sydney and CPO Hancock was fortunate to be able to travel from Hobart and join in with the recording process despite COVID-19 restrictions.

“This was the first time I had heard the music played live by musicians,” CPO Hancock said.

From this recording session a commemorative video clip and audio recording were produced by the Navy Band. The clip aired on Navy social media channels on November 14, as Navy’s tribute to mark the association’s 100 years.

Two days later, CMDR Mohapp presented the commemorative set of CDs to the National President of the association, David Manolas, accompanied by members of his national staff.

“This quite extraordinary gift, that CPO Hancock has given life and purpose to, will be on hand to herald the opening of proceedings for future association activities and commemorative events, and so too, when we gather to bid farewell to a colleague who has ‘crossed the bar’,” Mr Manolas said.

“We feel so very privileged and honoured, as the Navy’s ex-service veterans’ organisation, to now have our own quick march.”

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