Klarinet Archive - Posting 000256.txt from 2007/09

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Military Bands
Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2007 10:12:48 -0400

Bill,

I second that and offer another story. I just had a former clarinet
and bassoon student knock on my door about a week ago. He too had
joined the Marines with the intension that he was going to be a
musician somewhere, happily playing his clarinet. He informed me that
he had just gotten back from guard duty in Iraq. He has about a year
left, but it will probably be spent stateside. He has no intentions
of staying with the Marines once his hitch is up. So much for tooting
a happy tune on your horn.

Richard Bush

On Sep 29, 2007, at 5:03 AM, Bill Foss wrote:

> 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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