 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: AlenD
Date: 2012-07-11 08:51
Hello, I was wondering if anyone who has any experience with this could give me some advice. I want to play Clarinet for the Military (I don't really care which branch) and was wondering which branch has the most need or demand for Clarinet Players. In other words, which branch would I have the highest chance of making the audition.
~Thanks!
Post Edited (2012-07-11 08:55)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2012-07-11 12:11
Army is not up to 100% strength on clarinet players. If you have any questions, email me (it's under my profile). I'll be happy to answer what I can.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-07-11 18:54
Firstly, don't sell yourself short........... your best GIG will be with any of the top bands in Washington D.C. (or the Academies or the Coast Guard Band).
Try that first for your best opportunities to play clarinet on a guaranteed regular basis.
Failing that, the standards are higher in the regular Air Force bands but there are fewer of them and the continually are getting fewer. The Army, as implied above, has more openings with the greatest chance of acceptance in their standard band program. The only drawback there is that many bands are now splintered into smaller groups with much emphasis on 'garage bands' rather than concert bands and your actual playing time may be more limited these days.
I speak from experience because I speak from Afghanistan as a security NCO guarding personnel (playing occassionaly, but not constantly).
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-07-12 00:09
I was in the DC Air Force Band. Kind of fun, You go into the DC bands at a much higher rank. You also skipped Basic Training. Well this was the case when I was in. Most players had some college or as high as Masters Degrees. I heard that all of the branches make you go to Basic, with the exception the the Marines, as of now. Since no one ever dies in Basic Training it actually sounds like it's very hard, but fair, and you learn to do all sorts of fun things, such as fire weapons.
During war time I think even the musicians have to qualify in the DC bands. I never carried a gun, but we did have to shoot an M-16 for 2 days. I'm not sure why! However it was pretty fun and I'd be happy practicing this everyday! I had one day of shooting a 9mm. I liked the M-16 better, because the 9mm was always jamming.
Besides the DC bands take a serious look into the school bands, the Academy bands. Sadly I don't know anything about them and I don't know anyone that went into them.
Although the audition is said to be hard, well it's true, but it's not hard for everyone. Experience in sight reading and playing the list of music they require to perform is how you get in. In simple terms - practice the parts. If you don't know the pieces for sight reading it can mean no position.
I was accepted on the second day of the auditions, had to play twice, which is normal because of the amount of people trying out. I played the clarinet at the audition, but spent a great amount of time playing the sax. Depends on what group you play in.
Getting away from the DC bands there are some really great Army field bands, Air Force bands, the Navy and the Marines bands. You can also get into these reserve groups. All of these of course require basic training, then depending on how well you do you may need to go to their music school. I don't know anything about this, or if they are still around. I know the army had a school.
For me, I really enjoyed the experience and some musicians stay in for life, because you get to play everyday, a decent vacation, fun tours, and usually only one or 2 rehearsals before the tours. Thus the reason for doing a decent job sight reading.
I've been out for many, many, years, 1983 was my last year. I went in with 5 strips and very soon got 6 strips. Several of the musicians were E9's, had several ribbins, 8 strips, and of course some metals. Retirement pay is very nice.
Is this for evreyone? For me it was fantastic, but I got out due to too much travel and too many concerts. When flying my ears got plugged up and it was pretty painful playing. A major reason why I got out. I had a chance to teach college so I opted out for this new experience.
Between the 2 jobs, I'd much rather play, but plugged ears really hurt.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-07-12 00:35
You should try for a Special Band, such as the Marine Band, the Navy Band, the Army Band, the Army Field Band or the West Point Band. (Sorry if I missed any, but it's been a while.) Each of these takes the best players, often conservatory grads, and each is "stabilized," so you don't move around.
The competition for Special Band openings is very stiff. When I was in the West Point band, we had several players who came from or went to major symphonies, including Larry Combs.
One thing to keep in mind is that these are ceremonial units, and the standard of appearance is very high. They SERIOUSLY care about how shiny your shoes are.
Ken Shaw
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Author: AlenD
Date: 2012-07-12 00:52
I sent you an email Alexi. Thanks for the advice Paul!
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-07-12 01:40
Some of the other famous military musicians were Anthony Gigliatti, Iggie Gennusa, WW2.
Interesting is Mitchell Lurie flew planes. When talking to him the number 52 missions rings a bell, but I'm not sure.
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2012-07-12 02:50
I'm in the Army and play in a band and I love it. Sure the DC bands are great, but don't let all the talk about them keep you from one of the best jobs in music. Some people LIKE the lack of stabilization! Horrors! Some people LIKE the idea of living all over the world for free. Duh!
Couple of things to keep in mind. The Army starts you at a higher rank than the other bands and the initial enlistment can be only 3 years; that'll fly by before you know it. In the Army, there are many different bands, some that go to Afganistan and some that do not. A lot of people want to go! I am currently in a band that does not deploy. I am in Alabama and the band here is fine; I like it quite a lot. The best thing for me is that in about 2 years I will go somewhere else. I am looking to go to Germany or Japan.
Another thing: if you play well you have a pretty good chance to pick where you will be stationed. Nothing is guaranteed, but playing really well helps.
Oh, and aside from the premere bands, we still have a bit of ranking of the "regular" bands from great to not so good.
Email me and I can tell you my experiences.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2012-07-12 21:52
It's a great job but it's not for everyone. Have you visited many bands to try and gain an insight on the realities of the job?
My point of view - the job is great but there's a lot more ironing and boot polishing than I thought there would be!
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2012-07-13 02:15
We don't polish boots or shoes! The cleaners do a bang up job pressing our uniforms!
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-07-13 02:28
Whats cool about the field bands and not the DC bands is you can get transferred all over the place. Hawaii, Germany, Japan, and if you don't obey your conductor maybe some place in Siberia or Guam!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-07-13 08:43
Morrigan,
It's even worse than how Dave bills it, everything is 'wash and wear' these days. The only thing you do to your utility uniform is put it on.
....................Paul Aviles
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Author: Neil
Date: 2012-07-14 00:15
See if you can go in the Navy and strike for MU after a couple of years in the fleet. You'll appreciate life more.
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Author: robertxdebater
Date: 2012-07-14 01:46
Dear AlenD,
Military bands are currently in a state of constant evolution. If you want to join a military branch, you should carefully look at all of them for their strengths and weaknesses. You must also carefully examine yourself--for both your playing level and your personal motivations (i.e. do you want a job where you only play clarinet or do want some of the military lifestyle). Unfortunately, it is no longer the case that someone just walks into a military band job. Due to budget constraints and a large applicant pool, the actual number of positions are becoming much more difficult to obtain. Applying for a specialty band (i.e. the top bands for the branches) is even more difficult because of the great number of applicants for each position, making these spots more like an orchestral position. Many of the second-place applicants from these positions are now filling out the ranks in the fleet and field bands. It is, of course, by no means impossible to join. However, the field has become infinitely more competitive than even a few years ago.
Should you decide to pursue a career in any of the branches, it is VITAL that you contact a band from that branch directly. Most recruiters do not understand the special requirements that go with the recruiting process for the military bands, and they have motivations to fill their quotas for other jobs.
If you have specific questions, feel free to email me. I am currently a clarinetist for a Navy fleet band, and I spent five years with the 249th Army National Guard Band. I can also put you in touch with some of my friends in the Marine bands.
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Author: Buster
Date: 2012-07-14 02:40
I apologize,
But if the aim is to simply find a "band" that will have you, you may be better served in a differing field.
Entering into employment with the view that a branch/ensemble will "merely have me" does nothing for anybody; be it in the arts or military realm.
Speaking by proxy for some close friends that hard-earned their positions in D.C., they'd do without someone occupying a position in a military band holding the view that they merely "made the audition."
Speaking directly for a few friends having served over-seas in F.O.B.s, outside of the protection of a "military-band" umbrella: they would respect more so the decision to stay out of the "I unfortunately have to spit-shine my boots and wash n' iron my uniform, but I'm paid" military life than to enter without regard to their everyday experienced hardship.
Their words, not mine...... I have no personal experience in either side of the equation.
-Jason
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Author: J Cohen
Date: 2012-07-14 03:35
I have been in a regional U.S. Air Force band for 7 years.
Before that I was a public school band director for 8 years.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions about either or if you'd like a comparison of the two careers.
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