Klarinet Archive - Posting 000129.txt from 2007/09

From: "K S" <krsmav@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Military Bands
Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 23:25:25 -0400

Vincent -

College is a life-changing experience, and you never know when you go
in where you'll come out -- just that it will almost certainly be
different from what you expected. As for change in administration,
who the president is will make almost no difference in what happens to
an ordinary band player.

A band member is unlikely to be sent into combat, but it's always
possible, particularly if you get into the bad graces of a commanding
officer.

The music you play depends more on the type of band than the service
branch. For example, the Marine Band's primary function is to play
ceremonial music for the President, They do many parades, honor
guards (greeting a VIP), combos for White House functions, summer
concerts and so on. "Line" bands exist on each military post and play
for parades, with occasional concerts special duty for trumpeters to
play bugle calls. The Army Field Band is a touring group, spreading
good will for the Army. The Army Band does ceremonial duties in
Washington, DC. The West Point Band does the same at West Point.

Remember, though, that you play only band music. While that can be
fine, there's no orchestra, little chamber music or vocal music and
little early or modern music. You're cutting off a lot of the best
music when you restrict yourself to just band.

Finally, remember that you'll be in the Army (or the Navy, Air Force
or Marines), which is very different from civilian life. There are
people who *seriously* care about how shiny your shoes are and who
will make your life miserable if you don't care as much as they do.
And if you do get into the bad graces of a commanding officer, it's
entirely possible that you could end up in Iraq. You get a secure
life. You pay for it, though, by having people who have the actual
right to *command* you to do what they want. This is of course my
opinion, based on my own experience. Nevertheless, you need to take
it into account.

I strongly advise you to go to college first.

Ken Shaw

------------------------------------------------------------------