No Newsletter this week
Week of July 6th, 2026
This week was a week of recovering from a nasty bug for me, so I couldn’t get anything written. Hopefully back next week!
In the mean time, Alfred Reed’s fun and high-energy (and clarinet workout) Armenian Dances courtesy of the Republic of Korea Navy Band.
I can now say I’ve heard this group live! But I haven’t been able to figure out that much about them from English-language sources. The US service bands consist entirely of high-level professional musicians hired specifically for the job (although they do have to go through basic training). The ROK Navy Band I believe is selected mostly by audition from conscripts who are doing their mandatory service time. I do see a number of officers’ uniforms though so perhaps there are some professionals in the mix? I genuinely do not know! When I saw them the group had at least one woman (wearing an officer’s uniform); women do not have to do Korea’s mandatory military service so there must be some volunteers. Anyone who knows anything let us know in the comments! I know I have at least one subscriber in South Korea.
Hopefully I should be back in the game next week. See you then!