Klarinet Archive - Posting 000255.txt from 2007/09

From: "Bill Foss" <billfoss47@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Military Bands
Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2007 07:03:42 -0400

PLEASE listen to what Tom has said. He has literally, "been there and done
that" for over 20 years !

I spent 27+ years in Army Bands of all types (Division, Post, National
Guard, West Point, DC, and the Field Band) and I totally second everything
Tom wrote. Today, as a college Woodwind Teacher, I steer ALL of my students
who are interested in entering the Military AWAY from the Marine Corps
"band" program. The Marine Corps is a fine Military Service. You should
just remember that EVERY Marine is a rifleman FIRST - and that is in Marine
Corps doctrine.

Students of mine have most recently won auditions and joined the Naval
Academy Band, The US Military Academy Band (West Point), The Air Force Band
(DC) and the Coast Guard (Academy) Band. These are all fine musical
organizations where the members are musicians FIRST !

Bill Foss
U.S. Army Retired
USC Aiken Wodwind Professor
Director of Bands, Aiken Prep

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Puwalski" <tski1128@-----.com>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 11:15 PM
Subject: Re: [kl] Military Bands

> Do not join a Marine band if you're not going to the Barracks in downtown
> DC. YOU WILL BE INFANTRY!!!!!! Real marine musicians are prohibited by
> regulation from carrying weapons. Unless you really want to defend the
> constitution against all enemies, foreign, domestic and imaginary and
> take a nice vacation in the desert! Trust me on this! Saying anything to
> get someone in the service is a favorite thing recruiters like to do.
> Back in the late 70s army recruiters would pass people on the audition
> and they let the school of music re classify them when they weren't good
> enough to make it through. If you really want to go in the military where
> they shoot people and break things have them teach you a trade that you
> can use when you get out. Refrigeration repair! First freezing day, you
> can't get your heat pump fixed, first hot day, you can't get your AC
> fixed.
> I would not encourage any of the kids I know to do anything to do with
> the "real" military until we have a commander in chief that's not a total
> idiot!
>
> Tom Puwalski, the artist formerly known as Sarge-- Dean of Tom's School
> of Clarinet and refridgeration repair! Graduates might not get Larry
> Comb's job ---- but you can fix his heat pump! and trust me he'll pay
> you more to get his heat working in a Chicago suburb that you'll pay for
> a clarinet lesson!
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sep 28, 2007, at 10:37 PM, Vincent Horrillo wrote:
>
>> I again talked to my Marine recruiter. Apparently the auditioner
>> thought I was good enough for the '3.0' so I am now fully able to pick
>> my duty station. Furthermore, the auditioner gave me a 10,000$
>> enlistment bonus.
>>
>> I know the money shouldn't really be a huge factor in my decision, but
>> I do have a question:
>> My recruiters told me they only gave this bonus out to very few
>> individuals. I personally don't think I did that well on my audition.
>> So, are they really in that much need for clarinets or is this bonus
>> more common then I am let to believe.
>>
>> On 9/26/07, Vincent Horrillo <clarinetman@-----.com> wrote:
>>> Kevin:
>>> I know I am young and inexperience, that is why I am asking you guys
>>> these questions. Though, I never said I planned on making a living
>>> playing my clarinet. If I were to get a performance degree, I would be
>>> playing in a military band for X amount of years. After that I would
>>> want to get my teaching degree and teach after the military. I also
>>> have other plans if I decide not to go into music.
>>>
>>> Michael:
>>> Yes I am absolutely willing to get better at my skills at being a
>>> musician and at playing my instrument. I will concentrate and practice
>>> to enhance my abilities.
>>>
>>>
>>> On 9/26/07, Michael Rasmussen <mikeraz@-----.com> wrote:
>>>> Vincent Horrillo wrote:
>>>>> My question still remains though:
>>>>> ...
>>>>> Would it be more beneficial to start of
>>>>> my Performance degree instead of my current choice of Music
>>>>> Education?
>>>>
>>>> With your stated (implied?) goal of getting into a top notch military
>>>> band
>>>> with path do you think will concentrate on enhancing your musicianship
>>>> and
>>>> performance skills?
>>>>
>>>> Michael 'love being Socratic in the morning' R
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Michael Rasmussen, Portland Oregon
>>>> Be appropriate && Follow your curiosity
>>>> http://www.patch.com/words/
>>>> The fortune cookie says:
>>>> As the trials of life continue to take their toll, remember that there
>>>> is always a future in Computer Maintenance.
>>>> -- National Lampoon, "Deteriorata"
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
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