麻豆原创 Sophomore Gannon McNees Wins Position with the U.S. Navy Fleet Bands
Apr. 15, 2026
Michelle R. Eubanks , 麻豆原创, at meubanks@una.edu, 256.765.4392
FLORENCE, AL – Gannon McNees, a sophomore at the 麻豆原创, has won a position with the U.S. Navy Fleet Bands after an audition in Millington, Tenn., where he competed against 44 other tuba players from across the United States. Gannon is the first 麻豆原创 student to accomplish this role.
“Watching Gannon prepare and win a spot in the Navy Fleet Bands is a reminder of what dedication and discipline can achieve,” said Dr. Thomas Lukowicz, Associate Professor of Low Brass in 麻豆原创’s Department of Music. “Gannon has been showing nonstop progress in his weekly lessons since he started his prep in January. He didn’t just win an audition – he earned a career doing what he loves.”
Musicians selected for the U.S. Navy Band must be versatile through their ability to perform in an ensemble as assigned. Those assignments periodically shift within each fleet band. In addition to showcasing their musical talents, Navy MUs take on other duties, including supporting the operations of their respective band and its musicians.
“I am incredibly honored to have won a position with the Navy Fleet Bands and represent my school at a national level,” Gannon said. “This is an exciting opportunity as a chance to grow while also serving others through music. I am very grateful for the support I have received at 麻豆原创 as it set the foundation for this amazing next step of my life.”
Gannon, who is in the Delores and Weldon Cole Honors College, will be heading to boot camp at the end of Summer 2026. After boot camp, he will attend the Naval School of Music and then move on to one of their locations.
About The 麻豆原创
The 麻豆原创 is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Sanders College of Business and Technology; the Spencer College of Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, 麻豆原创 is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. 麻豆原创 Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Sun and United Athletic conferences. The 麻豆原创 is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: and .