Klarinet Archive - Posting 000183.txt from 2007/09

From: Tom Puwalski <tski1128@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Military Bands
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 22:16:09 -0400

Ok I don't know when I've seen such a displays of ignorance: Blow
out, or Military bands. I spent 20 years in the U.S Army Field Band.
I have friends in all the other "Special" bands in the DC and around
the world, and I will give this advice: If you can get into any of
the special military bands TAKE THE GIG!!!!!! If you can audition get
offered the job, take it. These are really good gigs! They aren't
the prestigious, Artsy gig as landing a major symphony gig, but in
reality what are your chances of getting Larrry Combs' gig in
Chicago? My retirement check from 20 years active duty is larger
than most playing gigs in the USA right now. And I had a ball earning
it. I got to travel around the world playing the clarinet, I was a
missionary for "LIVE" music. I always played to capacity audiences
and had a chance to perform solos all over the world. You are a
working musician! I don't want to burst any bubble on this list, but
we are living in a world that really doesn't need clarinetists. Sure
some university professor will try to tell you that if you study with
them you'll be able to get that "elusive" gig. Remember this any
teacher that suggests anything like that is trying to keep their
teaching gig. Small orchestras are struggling many have closed,
large manufacturers, who used to support the arts aren't giving money
they did back in the 40's and 50's.

A few weeks back, on the occasion of Cal Ripkins induction into the
hall of fame, there was lots of talk about what it takes to make "the
show". Every one interview said something very similar. If you're
the best player on your team, the best player in the whole area
little league. When you play high-school ball you're the best on your
team and the best player in your state. If you made the minors is
every one saying you're the guy to watch? If you are you might just
get a chance to go to the show.
Did you make all state band? if you did were you the best clarinetist
in the room? Is all you do play clarinet? and then only classical
music? could someone call you for a gig could you take it? If it were
a show? a dixieland gig, a bar Mitzvah? What can you do? What are
your choices for colleges? Where have you auditioned? You're about to
become an education consumer, and let me tell you their are a lot of
snakes in that grass. Four years at even a state school, with instate
tuition will run you over 40k. What are you going to get for that?
A chance to have to make a tape so you can take an audition, and if
you're lucky get a job that won't pay enough to pay off your student
loans.

It's hard to come out and say it but there really isn't a "music
profession" in the United States any more. It's sad, I feel sorry to
have to say it. And getting a teaching degree isn't the sure thing
it used to be. There is only so many of those gigs and people
already have them. The fact that alot of kids drop music in high
school, has sent ripples down many middle and elementary school
programs. And "no child left behind" hasn't helped either.

So if you can get in to any of the premier service bands: The Navy
band, The Air Force band, The Marine band, The U.S. Army Field Band,
The Army band, The West Point Band, The Naval Academy Band, The Coast
Guard Band. Go tommorow! Find out who's got an opening. Every one of
these gigs has good points and some bad points, one band isn't any
better than the other. It all depends who's running them. But for
the most part it's pretty much the same gig, different costume.

As for Blow out, I had this Buffet R13 that I used day in and day out
for 10 years, I was convinced it was "blown out," it played really
sharp and shrill in the upper register and the sound was a little on
the wild side. It took a few years with a great teacher, "Cecil Gold"
to finally convince me that my clarinet wasn't blown out, It was how
I was playing it! That clarinet sounded great when he played it. No
audible blow out there, so it was me! It was hard to admit, hard to
hear it but sometimes learning means hearing things you don't want to
hear.

Tom Puwalski, former soloist with the US Army Field Band, Clarinetist
with The Atonement, and Author of "The Clarinetist's Guide to
Klezmer"and most recently by the order of the wizard of Oz, for
supreme intelligence, a Masters in Clarinet performance.

On Sep 23, 2007, at 8:22 PM, Vincent Horrillo wrote:

> Again I thank everyone for their responses, I am taking great
> though to them.
>
> One comment to Mr. Hausmann: I would love to be totally willing to let
> my self interests go and fully commit to something I believe in.
> Though, I am not old nor wise enough to make the decision to put my
> faith into the government. Anyways, the recruiters are going to
> sugar-coat my questions and I want the facts. I know there is going to
> be fault in my terms no matter what I do, I want to be firm in my
> decision in all aspects.
>
> I do have another question.
> From your responses and others I have personally talked to, it seems
> it would be a very smart idea to go into college first. Though if
> right out of 2 years(I'm not sure on this number, just using it for
> arguments sake) I audition for a military band and play for at least
> another 4 years of performing. Would it be more beneficial to start of
> my Performance degree instead of my current choice of Music Education?
>
> On 9/23/07, Crystal Proper <crystalproper@-----.com> wrote:
>> I found your response a bit harsh. Obviously musicians
>> join the military for VERY different reasons than
>> regular folks. And if the military wants to continue
>> to recruit high quality musicians, the whole
>> deployment thing needs to go away. I can already see
>> the effects in my band of great musicians separating
>> because of it, and in their places mediocre ones are
>> being hired because we're desparate for certain
>> instruments.
>> His questions were completely valid, and are not
>> unlike the concerns I had seven years ago before I
>> joined.
>>
>> --- Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Sent again due to odd "snip" in the middle of the
>>> post due to
>>> completely unknown reasons.
>>>
>>> At 02:44 PM 9/22/2007, Vincent Horillo wrote:
>>>> My main questions are:
>>>>
>>>> 1. What are the possibilities of a normal band
>>> member to be sent out
>>>> for combat?
>>>> 2. What kind of quality of music does each
>>> branch play?
>>>> 3. Should I possibly wait until after a couple
>>> years of college to
>>>> join the military? (For the new presidential
>>> administration and for the
>>>> experience of college life)
>>>
>>> Your questions strike me as highly self-centered,
>>> especially question
>>> 3. If you are interested in only serving yourself
>>> or, at best,
>>> serving your self-approved presidential
>>> administration, please DO NOT
>>> join MY military in any capacity.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Bill Hausmann
>>>
>>> If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band
>>> is TOO LOUD!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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