 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: oboeidaho
Date: 2010-01-05 20:24
After posting on the oboe list, someone recommended I try the clarinet list. Hope you can help me!
I have a student who is interested in joining the Navy, and playing the oboe. I know the Army and the Air Force both have bands located throughout the county in addition to their Washington DC band, but I haven't been able to find anything about the Navy band except the Presidential one. This girl is in no position to be auditioning for a top band, so if that is the only one, I want to be informed. Do any of you military sorts know if there is more than one Navy Band? Thanks for any info!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-01-05 20:38
There are all sorts of Navy bands, on board ships as well as aboard. I'm not sure if there are any others in the US but I would assume there would be on some of the bases. Of course there is one in the Annapolis Naval Academy for sure, I've had students in there. If you google navy bands or go to the navy web page they probably have some information. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-01-05 21:02
Navy is primarily ceremonial and jazz in the "field," Army has whittled the opennings down to a few choice assignments (requiring higher standards) and the Air Force is small with fairly high standards.
I think the Marines may be the best bet for a moderately skilled oboe. Of course I don't want to be the one to tell ANYONE to go through Marine Basic - quite tough.
Although, if she has time, let her improve a bit and try for the Naval Academy Band.
............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-01-05 21:33
Here are some questions and answers about the bands of the US Navy:
http://www.navyband.navy.mil/faq.shtml
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: redwine
Date: 2010-01-05 22:49
Hello,
The Naval Academy has two fairly recent hires in the oboe section. They are top-notch musicians and, unless they move on to another job, I don't expect any openings in the next 10 or more years in the oboe section. The Navy does have several bands around the world. The Navy doesn't have bands on ships anymore, although at some bands, you may find yourself on a ship for whatever reason. All of the services are definitely worth an audition, if only to see how you stack up.
Best of luck.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-01-06 00:59
Paul, the Marine band, and the coast guard as well, do not require basic training for their band members. They are the only two. Each of the services have an academy band. The army also has a touring band, the Army Field Band stationed in Fort Meade MD. Every service has different levels of bands, from the top ones around Washington, which are very much in demand, to forts in the US and around the world. I could be wrong but I think they are ranked from 1-5 with 5 being the best.
Thanks Ben, I didn't realize that the Navy doesn't have bands on ships anymore.
ESP
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: hrvanbeek
Date: 2010-01-06 01:14
Never heard of a numbered ranking system for military bands... Or, at least we don't use such a thing these days...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: oboeidaho
Date: 2010-01-06 14:48
Wow - great information! Thank you all so much for replying.
I had found the site recommended by Jeff, but it didn't really address my question since it seemed to talk only about the "big" band. Don't know why my search didn't uncover the excellent sites HR linked, but I found them to be very helpful.
My student is apparently "signed up" to join the Navy, so other branches are not an option. She is in high school now and plans to attend boot camp in July. According to her mom, the recruiter said there was an opening for oboe. Don't know what band, really should talk to the recruiter, who probably doesn't understand the difference between the various bands, and I assume there is an audition date for whatever opening she is talking about. The mom figured daughter would just audition when she was done with boot camp, but my guess is the position will be closed by then.
Can anyone explain about the music acadamy? That would be excellent for her (and maybe all musicians go?). Really appreciate your insight to the military musicians life!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: trsteve1
Date: 2010-01-25 14:20
my wife and I recently looked into this as a career option.
The best people to talk to are at the Millington, TN location.
I found them to be incredibly informative and extremely helpful. I don't remember the name of the individual I spoke with, so unfortunately, I probably am not too helpful.
However, what I do know. The everyday recruiter knows very little about the process for Navy Musicians, so I fear, your student may have signed up to be in the Navy, and not as a Musician... whether or not this can be straightened out if the case, I do not know.
One way to be certain, if she has not had to complete an audition, she has not enlisted as a musician. She would be required to complete an informal audition with someone within the Navy Music Program, deemed qualified to hear an audition (my wife and I live in the Dallas, Texas area and would have driven to Millington, TN, with a recruiter.. to do our auditions).. if this is not the case... I would start seeing if there is anyone you can call within the organization.
For musicians, they are required a 6 week boot camp, and then up to, if I recall, 3 months at the Music Academy (in Norfolk, Va). At the Academy you have to basically pass your basic theory/history, etc tests to graduate. For someone coming out of High School, this could be most valuable for her. After graduating from the Academy, it seemed to me that there would be a list of upcoming openings within the band across the nation (and across the world), thus she would be able to select from all available and upcoming Oboe positions withing the Bands. As all new musicians sign up for 4 years, it is fairly common for openings to come open all the time.
I hope this information is helpful, though I realize it is incomplete.
Post Edited (2010-01-25 14:24)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
