 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: hrvanbeek
Date: 2003-10-24 17:27
Fellow Clarinetists,
I am an Audition Coordinator for the US Army Band program in the northeastern US. We have 34 active duty Army bands throughout the world and need more clarinetists!
The Army Band Program is open to talented musicians, male or female, who are otherwise qualified to enlist in the Army and can pass a prearranged audition. But more importantly, the program is for anyone who has a passion for his/her instrument and a love for playing and performing music.
The audition consists of a prepared solo, Major scales & arpeggios (minors recommended) and sight reading.
Here are some of the benefits of being an Army musician:
1. Money for College: The Montgomery GI Bill and the Army College Fund (up to $50,000).
OR
The Army College Loan Repayment Program (up to $65,000) can help you with student loan payments.
2. High Grad Bonus for all instruments:
30 or more college credit hours = $3,000
60 or more college credit hours = $6,000
3. Health care, life insurance and other essential benefits are provided at low or no cost.
4. Tuition Assistance pays 100 percent of your educational benefits while on active duty.
5. Entrance into the Army at an advanced pay grade.
6. Travel around the country (and the world) making great music.
7. Station of choice from available bands 90 days prior to Basic Training Departure.
8. Professional quality instruments, supplies and music provided free of charge.
9. Enlistment bonus for French Horn, Clarinet, Oboe and Bassoon (additional bonus for Keyboard):
$2,000 for three-year enlistment/$3,000 for Keyboard
$3,000 for four-year enlistment/$5,000 for Keyboard
$5,000 for five-year enlistment/$7,000 for Keyboard
$6,000 for six-year enlistment/$8,000 for Keyboard
For more information check out these websites
http://band.goarmy.com/
http://bands.army.mil
or email me at the following address: heather.vanbeek@usarec.army.mil
If you're interested but live in an area other than the northeastern US I can put you in contact with my counterpart in your area. And, of course, we are always looking for talented musicians on all instruments, not just clarinet!
Thank you for your time! Heather Van Beek
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Author: Brianj
Date: 2003-10-25 15:27
I too am an Army clarinetist, been doing it for almost 14 years now and have loved just about every minute of it. Anyone who wants to know what it is like besides all the great incentives seen above, please email me.
jungenb@wood.army.mil or brickbinder@hotmail.com
SSG Brian Jungen
399th Army Band
Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri
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Author: ken
Date: 2003-10-25 19:34
Here's (hopefully) a helpful summary of the current U.S. Armed services “active duty” band program, albeit from a “U.S. Air Force” Band perspective and 24-year gleefully retired clarinet picker.
U.S. active duty DoD military bands, Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force are divided into 2 (two) categories, “Premiere” and “Field” bands (US Coast Guard Band has only one band located in New London, CT and in peacetime, falls under the Department of Transportation). BTW, they have a section clarinet audition on next Tuesday 28 Oct, if anyone can convince them to accept a last-minute resume-tape and audition slot. Here's the link/contact info...
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/comrel/band/cgbandrecruitingSpecInfo.htm.
There are a total of 8 (eight) “Premiere” bands: 3 (three) Army, (Pershing's Own, Army Field and West Point), 2 (two) Navy, (Navy, and Academy), 2 (two) Air Force, (Air Force, and The Band of the Rockies) and 1 (one) Marine, (President’s Own). These are all recognized, and revered as the mother ship bands and/or “class” of their respective services. They enjoy a reputation for hiring and maintaining the highest quality musicians and hold a singular prestige among all branch service bands. Then, 4 (four) of the bands are located and operate in Washington DC; Navy, Marines, Air Force and 1 (one) Army Band (Pershing's Own). The remaining 4 (four) are the Army Field Band at Fort Meade, Maryland and 3 (three) service Academy bands located at Annapolis, the former Air Force Academy Band, The USAF Band of the Rockies (re-located to Peterson AFB, Colorado about 30 miles outside Colorado Springs) and Army West Point Band in N.Y. State.
The main distinctions and/or advantages between “Premiere” and “Field” bands are Premiere bands, 1) Practice an accelerated promotion system. They hire candidates starting them out at a higher rank and pay grade (E-5 or E-6) that is primarily used as a recruiting inducement to attract the highest quality musicians. 2) Enjoy a reputation for having the best, most talented and even world-class professional musicians. 3) Premiere bands are not limited to any regional boundaries in their performance schedules and missions ... they are essentially free to travel and perform where they wish and cover the largest global footprint. 4) Members of premiere bands have the unique opportunity of locking-into their positions for an entire career (a controlled tour of duty; enlisted maximum of age 55 and 30 years total active duty service). In short, premiere band members are exempt from transfer to another stateside/overseas band/unit (unless they fall into trouble and/or their playing skills diminish below a set minimum standard). They are also NOT deployable (90 days or more) to a DoD-categorized hostile area or war zone ... however, they CAN be sent on Temporary Duty to these areas (TDY) for 89 days or less. Even then, unless they have been trained with an alternate war skill they would stay "in the rear with the gear" performing for the troops ala Bob Hope.
Each Premiere band generally has between 60-100+ musicians. They are broken down into sub-component idiomatic performing groups and responsible for supporting a large variety of musical styles in specialized settings and events, (i.e. typically, concert bands, ceremonial bands, quintets, pop/rock, country, choirs, chamber groups, strings and big band/swing, or Trad jazz ensembles).
“Field or Regional” bands exist in greater numbers and strategically assigned throughout the US 48 contiguous states at military posts/bases and Alaska and Hawaii, and U.S. allied NATO countries. The Field/regional bands' mission is about the same but they generally work harder, longer hours, travel more extensively and are known as the workhorses among their services … among their ranks, they too boast very fine, professional-quality musicians. Moreover, many Field band musicians routinely audition and promote into the Premiere bands ... this wasn’t always true in the past but the trend to promote from within has been steadily increasing.
Field bands are responsible for performing either locally and/or cover specific geographic areas, usually 4 (four) to 7 (seven) states (GARs, Geographic Areas of Responsibility) … and, as there are fewer bands overseas, these must cover a greater number of countries, and square miles in Europe, East Bloc, Mediterranean, Western Asia and Far East/Pacific. As for individual missions are concerned, some only provide 100% internal support, (i.e. troop morale, official base/post protocol and military social functions, parades and ceremonies, etc). Still others broaden their focus to include public relations, community outreach and recruiting, civilian parades and professional sporting events. Installation and Unit Commander priorities/directives and operating budget constraints dictate the amount of travel for all Field bands. Field bands, can expect to travel anywhere from 10 to 200-plus days annually.
As for “how many” Field bands are assigned to each service, it is based on multiple factors, however predominantly upon the "inherent tradition” of each service and its age of existence. For example, the Army is the oldest service (est. 1775) and Air Force is the youngest (est. 1947). Including Premiere bands worldwide, there are about 37 Army Bands compared to 14 Air Force Bands 2 (two) are combined service bands located in Belgium (SHAPE) and Italy (CINCSOUTH).
Auditions standards for selection into Premiere and Fields bands are again, based on each band's specific needs and their own established standards. The Army, Navy and Marine “Field band” audition requirements and process are for the most part standardized across the board whereas, Air Force “Field band” audition requirements and standards are established by each unit Commander per band (although acceptance in one Air force Field band is transferable across the career field, if there is an available instrumental or vocal slot). Today, 99% of ALL “Premiere” bands and Air Force “Field bands" hire only musicians possessing a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Performance or Education. About 5% of Army, Navy and Marine Field band members have MMs (or higher) compared to 25% of Air Force Field bands (2002 stats). The Army, Navy and Marine Field bands hire high quality musicians however, tend to recruit and accept more High School graduates and those with some college. One reason for this is because they offer and send their selectees to a mandatory Combined Service Music School located at Little Creek Amphibious Naval Base, Virginia. Enlisted members must attend this 6-month music program directly upon graduation from basic training and then permitted to unite with their assigned bands. Upon graduation, members of the school are promoted to the grade of E-4 (accelerated students may “test out” of the school in 30 days, or even join the teaching staff to serve their time).
It is interesting to note, ALL accepted candidates in "Premiere" bands and Air Force "Field" bands are EXEMPT from this technical school and report directly to their bands immediately following graduation from their boot camps (exception: members of the “President’s Own” Marine Band are not required and do not attend Marine basic training).
Military Band "Officer" programs are a different animal altogether and again form-fitted to each bands' priorities and mission. However, the two basic rules of thumb for this career path: 1) Accepted candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance or Education and 2) Are hired exclusively as managers, commanders, conductors and administrators; they are NOT (as a primary duty) performing instrumentalists.
Enough rambling, that's most of the grizzly details. For more information type in “U.S. military bands” or "DOD bands" in your browser and let the surfing begin. Toodles. v/r Ken
Post Edited (2003-10-28 15:18)
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Author: wyatt
Date: 2003-10-25 20:35
can a 68 year old, ex-seaman still get in.
i may be old but there is still fire in the boiler.
wyatt
bob gardner}ÜJ
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Author: William
Date: 2003-10-26 15:43
I am not a vet, but would also gladly consider joining a serivce band or orchestra if it were no for the age discrimination, limiting auditions to 34 yrs or younger. It seems unfair that older citizens be restricted from serving their country in these musical service organizations and thereby freeing a few of the younger--and perhaps less talented musicians--to do the more physical duties required (unfortunately) by our Armed Services. At 63, I can no longer do 20 mile full gear hikes, shoot as accurately or engage in hand-to-hand combat as well as an 18 yr old, but I can still play my clarinet better than most and would leap at the chance to audition for the "Presidents Own"or even our local Army Reserve 32nd Division Band. But I'm "too old"...................(age discrimination--Bah, Humbug!!)
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Author: wyatt
Date: 2003-10-26 17:01
William: a solider first job is being a solider and not playing a horn. when called upon every solider must be able to pick up a gun.
now aren't you glad you are 63.
when you turn 64 they will still love you.o
bob gardner}ÜJ
Post Edited (2003-10-26 17:02)
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Author: William
Date: 2003-10-26 19:16
As far as I know, the accepted musicians of the "Presidents Own"--as well as the other "premiere military ensembles--are exemptd from basic training and combat duty. So why couldn't a decreped old clarinetist who might just still be good enough musically have a chance to audition, contribute--and enjoy?? Just one of my pet peeves being almost old enough to cross "over that hill".
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-10-26 20:42
You forgot to mention one minor aspect of serving as a military musician ... combat.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-10-26 22:40
I served a four year hitch in the (U.S) Air Force decades ago. While my Primary Classification was (50 cal.) machine gun operator, fortunately for my fellows and me, our duty was served out as "bandsman" - clarinet player in my case. It was peace time during my tour. We were in no way connected with the Presidents Own, except to look up to them, so there was always that little question in the back of our minds; 'what if?'....
Well, I must say Uncle Sam treated me pretty good.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-10-27 00:49
The likelihood of a US military bandsman's being handed a rifle and ordered into combat is hardly greater than being assigned to Miami Beach for an extended winter vacation. One or two of the venues I've played were almost enough to make one think of combat. Some saloons are hardly more humane than modern warfare.
The Combined Service Music School at Little Creek is today's version of the old Navy School of Music. This place is heir to a long tradition of excellence in music education. I understand it's still at least as good as ever.
Regards,
John
who successfully auditioned to be a US Army Clarinetist but decided to turn it down (young and foolish in 1955... now older and foolish)
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Author: clarinetdaddy
Date: 2003-10-27 07:11
Hello From Baghdad,
The Army Band is a TERRIFIC way to continue to play music and get "paid" to practice. Yes, there are times when you must have read the small print of your enlistment into the ARMY. Soldier first then musician. When we first heard that we would deploy we were told NO MUSIC. But when we were waiting to come to Baghdad they had decided that MUSIC was much more better for the morale of the troops over here. We have played many cermonies and many concerts for the troops and they get a feeling of home. Yes, some bands play more music than others but YOU have to be able to still continue to practice even with all of the other jobs that Bandsmen must do above our music mission. So if you love music the band field is the way to go. How many clarinets do you see in a major orchestra?
Miles
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2003-10-27 10:26
I've been wondering what I'm going to do when I graduate from college in 2 year's time... Not talking specifically about the US bands, but because of my father's Italian citizenship, I have the option of serving a minimum 2 years with the Italian Army to gain a full citizenship. I am going to make an enquiry if this will include serving in the band (if they have once, which I don't actually know!). I have to do this by a certain age, I think it's 25 or so.
Anything know anything of this?
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Author: William
Date: 2003-10-27 14:53
Hey clarinetdaddy, it may interest you to know that there was a picture of a sousaphonist carrying his instrument across a Baghdad bridge in our local newpaper a couple of days ago. Keep toot'n and stay well--you make us all proud.
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