Klarinet Archive - Posting 000642.txt from 1996/12

From: Steve Fowler <sfowler@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: military bands
Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 18:23:50 -0500

Samantha writes:

> >>Do not let anyone fool you!!! There are very few Military bands
> >worth
> >getting involved with!!! I spent two years at Indiana University
> >studying
> >the clarinet.
> >>The summer before my Junior year I lost my student loans. So I
> >decided to
> >join the navy band to save for college. They will lure you in by
> >promising
> >you a rewarding career for doing something you love. They made it
> >seem like
> >they were doing me a favor by letting me audition for them when I
> >did'nt
> >have a bachelors degree. When I arrived at the Armed forces School of
> >Music
> >in Norfolk, VA, I was horrified to find out than most of the players
> >there
> >were right out of high school. Then they informed me that I would be
> >required to play the saxophone as well. At least at the school there
> >were a
> >number of good clarinet instructors. However, once I got to my
> >permanent
> >duty station in San Diego, California I found out the truth about what
> >I
> >would be playing. I have spent the last four years playing "Anchors
> >Aweigh", every Sousa march known to man and cheesy tunes like "the
> >Lion
> >King". And once your enlisted there is no getting out of it. No self
> >respecting Clarinetist should EVER join a military fleet band!!! If
> >you are
> >truly interested in military bands the only ones that are any where
> >near
> >professional are the Anapolis Academy Band and the Washington D.C.
> >navy
> >band. Do not see a recruiter!!! To get into these bands you need to
> >audition at the site!!! You dont need to talk to a recruiter!! Dont
> >sign
> >anything until you read it THOUROUGHLY!!! I'm sorry if I sound
> >bitter. But
> >I have wasted the last four years of my life playing with a bunch of
> >high
> >school kids. (Not very good ones at that)-----Samantha
> >>
>
>

Samantha,

You do make a point. However, I know that there have been openings at
both the Washington and the Naval Academy bands in the 4 years you
have been in the Navy. If you want the gig, you have to audition for
it. If you can't pass the audition, don't blame the service.

later,

Steve

Retired clarinetist, USNA Band, Annapolis, 1971-1990 (the year 1970
was spent at the School of Music. Then came the auditions!)

Steve Fowler (sfowler@-----.com)
http://www.netcom.com/~sfowler/fms.html
==========================================================
Fowler Music Service * Band Instrument Custom Repairs *
1994 Moreland Pkwy #8 --Plating in Silver and Gold--
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 267-5991
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