Meet the Musician

Chief Musician Courtney R. Willams,

Concert Moderator, Announcer

Naval Media Center's Video Presence With a Purpose narrated by MUC Courtney R. Williams

Chief Musician Courtney Williams, the concert moderator for the Concert Band, joined the U.S. Navy Band in 1996.  He attended the University of Tennessee (Knoxville) where he studied with George Bitzas and was winner of the freshman men category of the Tennessee National Association of Teachers of Singing competition in 1994.  Prior to his appointment to the U.S. Navy Band, Williams performed as a bass soloist with the Lake Junaluska Singers in Lake Junaluska, N.C.

Williams spent eight years as a bass vocalist in the Sea Chanters prior to joining the Concert Band in 2004, and has been a featured vocalist at the White House for many distinguished military and public events. He sang at the memorial service for Rear Adm. Alan Shepard and also participated in memorial services for the victims of USS Cole (DDG 67) and the "National Day of Prayer and Remembrance" at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. In 2002, he was part of an interservice ensemble that performed at the presidential wreath laying ceremony in Shanksville, Pa.

Currently, Williams has the proud distinction of being the "Voice of the Navy." His commanding and resonant voice has been featured on hundreds of high profile concerts and ceremonies, and he is a featured soloist with the Concert Band.  He was the narrator at the 2004 opening of the Clinton Presidential Library and was recently heard world-wide as the announcer at the 56th presidential inauguration ceremony for President Barack Obama.  He has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).