NStar Articles

The pool was cold, the instructors were unrelenting, and the first week of summer training seemed designed for one purpose only: to make candidates quit. For Midshipman 1/C Lily Williams, that was exactly the point. She hadn’t signed up for Navy Search and Rescue (SAR) school in Jacksonville, Florida, expecting it to be easy - she had signed up to be tested.

Have you ever thought about opening your home - and your heart - to a U.S. Naval Academy midshipman? If you live in the Annapolis area, enjoy meeting impressive young leaders, and want to give back in a meaningful way, the USNA Sponsor Program may be exactly what you’re looking for. Rooted in tradition and community pride, this program connects local families with midshipmen and offers support during one of the most demanding chapters of their lives.

The Naval Academy Business Services Division (NABSD) is proud to support the USNA Midshipmen by helping to fund a variety of extracurricular activities, including cultural arts, music, theater, club sports, and more. One of the largest musical groups is the Instrumental Ensemble, a midshipmen organization which encompasses several musical groups playing a wide variety of music. Our blog today focuses on the USNA Orchestra and its associated musical groups. The orchestra is headed by Director of Chapel Music, Chapel Organist and Orchestra Conductor, Monte Maxwell.