In Remembrance

Cmdr. Donald Stauffer, 1919-2011

 

Leader,

1968-1973

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our shipmate, the fourth leader of the U.S. Navy Band, Cmdr. Donald Stauffer. Cmdr. Stauffer's contributions to the Navy Band, Navy music and the Navy are still being felt today. He was exactly what we expect from a member of 'The World's Finest.' Fair winds and following seas, sir."

-Capt. Brian O. Walden, Commanding Officer, United States Navy Band.

Retired Cmdr. Donald Stauffer, fourth leader of the United States Navy Band, died yesterday morning in Birmingham, Ala. He was 92.

Stauffer was the leader of the Navy Band from 1968-1973. He oversaw the creation of the Commodores jazz ensemble, Country Current country-bluegrass ensemble, and Port Authority popular music ensemble. Stauffer also founded the New Music Workshop, and was instrumental in bringing the first woman into the Navy Music Program, Evangeline Bailey.

He attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., where he received his bachelor's degree, master's degree and performer's certificate. Stauffer joined the Navy Band in 1942, playing string bass and tuba.

In 1954, Stauffer earned a doctor of philosophy in music education from the Catholic University of America. After being selected for warrant officer in 1956, Stauffer completed tours as the leader of the New York Naval Base Band, head of academic training at the Naval School of Music in Washington, D.C., assistant leader of the Navy Band, and finally as leader of the Navy Band in 1968.

After retiring in 1973, Stauffer served as associate professor at Birmingham Southern College, orchestra director at Altamont Preparatory School, and founder and conductor of the Birmingham Community Concert Band.

Cmdr. Philip Field, 1938-2011

Leader,

1989-1992

 

 

 

 

 

 

"It's a sad time for Navy music, as we have lost another great leader and shipmate, Cmdr. Philip Field.  He devoted 37 years to the Navy, and served with distinction in every prominent position in the Navy music program. Fair winds and following seas, sir."

-Capt. Brian O. Walden, Commanding Officer, United States Navy Band.

Cmdr. Philip Field, eighth leader of the United States Navy Band, died at his home in Virginia Beach, Va., last Thursday. He was 73. He is survived by his wife, Mikiko, his three children, David Field, Debbie Field, Mary Gallant and husband Brad Gallant, and his three grandchildren Christopher Field, Jaclyn Torres, and Cameron Gallant.

A native of Norwalk, Conn., Field studied with Napoleon Cerminara of the New York Philharmonic and Quinto Maganini, director of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, before joining the Navy as a clarinet instrumentalist in 1956.

After graduating from the U.S. Navy School of Music in Washington, D.C., he performed with Navy Bands in Yokosuka, Japan; Norfolk, Va.; and Boston, Mass. He directed unit bands on USS Oriskany (CV 34) and USS Kearsarge (CV 33), and then returned to the School of Music as an instructor. Upon advancement to warrant officer, he was appointed director of the Pacific Fleet Band in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Field served as administrative officer, operations officer and assistant leader of the U.S. Navy Band, and later as training officer and executive officer of the School of Music in Norfolk, Va. He was leader of the Atlantic Fleet Band from 1980 to 1984, and then returned to the School of Music as commanding officer, where he was promoted to commander. From 1989 to 1992, he served as the officer in charge/leader of the U.S. Navy Band, and his career culminated in a final assignment as head of the music branch (BUPERS-654) until his retirement on Sept. 1, 1993. During his very illustrious career, Field held every rank except ensign, from seaman recruit to commander, including the warrant officer ranks, and served in every prominent position in the Navy music program.

Field holds a bachelor's degree in music from St. Leo College, Norfolk, Va. campus, and a master's degree in conducting from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He studied with John Paynter at Northwestern and was selected for membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. A member of the Pi Kappa Lambda national music honor society, he was an accomplished composer and arranger, with over 30 published works to his credit.