 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bb R13 greenline
Date: 2012-10-31 13:25
From your experiences what would be the better route? I'm aware that you can do one after the or other even at the same time
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2012-10-31 15:20
It may be necessary to do some college first in order to audition competitively for the military band.
I mean, those guys are no slouches.
I've been fortunate enough to play with several military bandsmen (and women), and many of those folks had masters-in-performance degrees.
Bob Phillips
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-10-31 18:56
The military gives you no usable training or certifications upon leaving the service. There are many types of service professionals that are promised training for their future careers by enlisting in the military. Unfortunately, when they leave, they realize that the training programs they entered into are not recognized by institutions outside of the military.
In short, if you would like to be a military bandsman/woman for the rest of your life, by all means join. If you some day would like to pursue a career outside of the military, I suggest not beginning your career this way.
Drew S.
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Author: Bb R13 greenline
Date: 2012-10-31 19:44
from what I understand most gigs and permanent playing positions outside of the military only care about the audition anyway. certificates don't hold much against a better audition. I don't know that I'd look for a job outside of the military mainly because i like the band setting better then orchestra and because of the job security the military gives. with so many orchestras filing for bankruptcy I think it's a wiser decision to join the military right now.
Bob do you know roughly how many that actually make it have at least one college degree? I've heard that the competition is geting harder and harder in this field but I'm not a bad player either so if I could just get in and work my way up. It would certainly help my family to not have to pay tuition
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-10-31 20:39
I think your post would more appropriately be titled: "How can I make it into the Army band?"
If you would like to teach at any institution, whether it be at the university, grade school, or even some private levels, it is important to have one or more collegiate degrees. As you say, orchestras are going bankrupt or cutting salaries, so teaching will be part of your future, unless you don't care about things like eating or roofs. I would look into state schools and scholarships. There may be part-time service band options in your area. Maybe that's a good way to get your foot in the door, assuming that you would like to pursue a life-long career as a service member. However, as all the service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are currently realizing, when they transition back to the civilian life, their struggles are conveniently overlooked.
Drew S.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2012-10-31 21:25
GI Bill for College isn't a bad way to go. You won't make a top band straight out of High School, unless you are the best HS player that you've even met, and you've attended Tanglewood, Interlochen, and Aspen.....to meet other good players.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2012-10-31 22:32
Seems like any post on this board having to do with the military brings out a lot of good information and a ton of misinformation. I am actually in the Army and will be happy to give you any information you would like. Contact me offline.
Most new soldiers in the Army Bands do have at least a bachelor's or more. Some come to the band without and get their degrees during their service at a local college and some get out after their initial enlistment and use the Post 9/11 GI Bill and then get their degree. There are plenty of options, even more than I just outlined.
The comment above about the military giving you no usable certification is not entirely accurate. There are tons of programs available to soldiers that could be very useful in the civilian world.
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2012-10-31 23:47
Are you considering THE Army Band or one of the other numerous bands? Maybe Dave can give some insight - with the regimental bands (not sure what else to call them) do they have other duties that are more mainstream than one might see with Pershing's Own?
My former teach and her spouse (well, ex now) are members of different military bands - two of the major bands in the DC region. They were highly trained - one went to Eastman, the other to Michigan (I think...) and both had all sorts of accolades and awards from competitions and other events through the years. I remember her telling me one time about listening to auditions and sitting through hundreds of applicants for two spots. I would say that the DC area bands are no less competitive than any orchestral audition. And the talent, while not attracting the top brass (so to speak) of the orchestral ranks, was top notch none the less.
I think it would be to your benefit to go to college prior to auditioning for a band. There's a lot to college other than learning music - there's growing - physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially that will help you down the line. It would be EXTREMELY difficult for you to get into a band - David Blumberg's comments are spot on and are worth taking to heart.
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Author: Bb R13 greenline
Date: 2012-11-01 03:38
I wish I could afford Interlochen</3 I haven't been to any prestigious schools like that but i am part of a very good public school that usually wins in numerous different competitions and I've made Florida allstate myself. I wouldn't expect to start off in any of the top end bands but what about the lower end of the spectrum? and then later audition for a higher band after getting a college degree or just enough experience with the end goal being a prestigious band like pershing's own. My band director's also the conductor of a reserve army band so that may possibly open up some doors although I want to do a full time position.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-11-01 06:40
X - Air Force, DC musician.
If you are really good you may have a shot at getting into an army band, but often they send you to a training school first. The army band has the most field bands compared to the other services.
However, if you get a degree and pass the general band auditions you will start off with 2 strips or higher. this equals a bigger monthly check.
I went in after college and got lucky going into the DC band at an even higher rank with 5 strips. These auditions are hard, because you are going against perhaps 50 to 100 musicians. Then in a short time I got my 6th strip. The difference here is a lot of money. I don't know the exact pay scale now but you can google it. I would think it is triple the amount compared to going in after high school.
If you go in from high school it could take you 5 to 10 years to get 5 strips.
If you make it into the Marine, DC band you won't need to go to boot camp. You go directly to the Washington band. Trust me hear, the marine boot camp is something you probably don't want to mess with unless you enjoy a nice 10 mile run on a nice sunny 100 degree day! Now thats actually a good day!
So go to college and see if you still like music and you still want to do it as a career.
I enjoyed myself in the band. We often played 2 or 3 concerts a day, but I didn't like the traveling, so I got out and with the degree and all of the concerts for 4 years you become a very good player and I found myself teaching in 2 colleges, not at the same time of course. The cool part of these DC bands is you have 1 rehearsal a month and the rest of the time you are performing.
By the way, with a degree you can try conducting these bands. At this level you become an officer; even more pay.
Regardless of when you want to go into the military, make sure you can sight reed. This is often the make or break part of getting in.
Let us know what you do!
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-11-01 07:26
After reading all of the posts I read David's post talking about Interlochen. Well I went there and after graduating I attempted an audition in DC, the marine band and got my butt kicked. These guy's were really good. One of them was a lady that got in from Interlochen, then Eastman. I won't state her name. This was the early 1980's.
About Interlochen. Don't be afraid to apply. Yes it is very expensive, as much as the great conservatories. However a lot of the students are on full scholarships or grants. I'm not sure how they run this program now. Back then I just auditioned and I got a free ride. Once you got in you could audition again for the scholarship. Most people got some sort of assistance.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2012-11-01 10:56
Bob Bernardo wrote:
> I'm not
> sure how they run this program now. Back then I just auditioned
> and I got a free ride. Once you got in you could audition again
> for the scholarship. Most people got some sort of assistance.
Many do get assistance for the Academy, but it's completely based on need. My son went for 3 years, no assistance, and I'm certainly not a rich man.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-11-01 13:41
The current pay grade for a 'regular' bandsman entering the service is E-4 (you get to start a little higher up for "civilian acquired skills").
You outlline a tough decision with no easy answers. Only you will be able to decide for yourself.
Some current information may be helpful such as the fact that budget cuts are affecting EVERYONE to include the military in general and bands specifically. The "trips" out of the area (known as TDY.....temporary duty) are becoming as scarce as extra funds. In addition, some bands will be consolidated (or are rumored to be such). And there have already been some moves from nicer locations to less nice locations (a result of BRAC..... Base Reallignment and Consolidation - thank you Donald Rumsfeld).
Also (and I'm not trying to discourage you by any means) the main focus in the regular bands has been the "popular music ensembles" (read rock bands) and smaller ensembles such as jazz combos and brass quintets. That leaves less of the typical outlet for full band with clarinets (and leaves more time for military duties and administrative functions for us poor woodwind players).
.....................Paul Aviles
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-11-01 19:27
Paul, do you have any idea of how many army bands there are now? I went in around 1978, I think, for sure I got out in 1982. Anyway the Army had 50 bands. The Marines only had 12. I don't recall what the other 3 services had. Coast Guard included.
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2012-11-02 00:51
You'll need to confirm this with a recruiter, but I am pretty sure that if you were to join a reserve band that you could get your entire college education paid for while you serve your term. When I went to basic training there were tons of people doing just that. Essentially you go to "drill" one weekend a month and for 3 weeks in the summer.
Moving from reserves to full time Army can be done, but I'm not sure how easy it would be. Auditioning for the DC bands can be done at any time, so the possibility to go there is open. Sometimes switching services can be tricky, but, again, it can be done.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-11-02 01:48
Bob,
I've come up with 27 full time active duty (counting on my fingers and toes) plus the 3 special bands (D.C. and the Academy).
But there are googobs of Reserve and National Guard bands as well.
..............Paul Aviles
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