Klarinet Archive - Posting 000052.txt from 2007/10

From: Don Yungkurth <chalumeau@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Service Bands
Date: Sun, 07 Oct 2007 17:09:21 -0400

The discussions of the last week or so about service bands brought up a
variety of statements about whether members might be called on to use
weapons and/or go to war.

I have no knowledge on this, but, by coincidence, the Marine Band is
playing a concert here (Rochester, NY) tomorrow night. A newspaper
article about the band said the following in comparing the Marine Band
to the Eastman Wind Ensemble:

>>> One big difference from the Wind Ensemble, however, is that joining
the Marine Band means enlisting in the United States Military. Luckily,
the Marine Band is the only military band in the country exempt from
war. Members are relieved of going through an eight-week basic
training, meant to get soldiers in top shape to defend the country. It
seems fair, since they've spent there lives training in music - members
come from all the top music schools in the country. <<<

I'm only reporting what was said in the paper! Usual disclaimers apply.

Don Yungkurth

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