 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-09-26 07:40
Hey guys
As some of you know I've been dabbling on this board for a few years and looking at my history, my posts have usually been about discouragement, depression, and the age-old question "Will I make it?".
After being through all this for a couple of years now, I've decided to tell this part of my attitude to take a hike, and I think it's time to start planning for the future, short-term and long-term.
I've got one more year of college and I've been offered to audition for the RAAF band (In Melbourne, Australia, where I live). The position becomes vacant in January and I've been told that if I can fit both in, I could definitely complete school as well as be a member of the RAAF band and either their wind quintet or clarinet quartet.
Of course, the pay, benefits, and experience of the RAAF band would be very unwise to turn down.
I'd love to hear any opinions anyone might have of these sorts of bands - has anyone every been in a service band for a while before moving onto bigger and better things? Of course that's what I plan to do. Anyone been in a similar situation i.e full-time job AND full-time study? How did you manage it? Any advice appreciated!
-Tim
__________________
Don't hate me because I play Leblanc! ![[down]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley23.gif) Buffet
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-09-26 11:27
Tim,
A lot of us have had full-time jobs and have also been fill-time students plus had families as well as additonal responsibilities. It just comes with adulthood.
As a former military musician myself but just for one tour, this deal sounds terrific and could turn out to be a life-defining opportunity. Plus, when you reach retirement age, you are still very young and can move on to another career. I'd not think to long about this and then go for it.
There are many other former and current military players (Ken Shaw, Ken Kolb, as well as others) who will probably have a comment or two.
And I love wind symphony work! If you have not heard some of the top US military bands on CD, I'd suggest the Heritage of American Band from Langley AFB. I have several wonderful CDs from them.
HRL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-09-26 12:07
Thanks for that Hank.
What age does one generally retire from a military band?
My main dilemma is that I have one year of study left and I can either try and fit both in, or leave and join the band.
But at the end of the day who knows, I may not even get in!
__________________
Don't hate me because I play Leblanc! Buffet
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brandon
Date: 2004-09-26 15:51
If you are so close to getting the degree, I would personally not abandon that. Here in America with the way jobs are, it certainly pays to have at least a post high school degree.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-09-26 19:25
Tim,
I don't know about your country but in the US 20 years of military service is usually the first opportunity to retire. It depends on what age you start your stint. In the US it is not uncommon to have military band members with advanced degrees.
On a side note, I got credit for my military service on my first teaching jobs until I had a lot of experience and then I had maxed out on the amount of credit that would transfer to a new school district (in 17 years, I taught in 4 districts and had tenure in the last two).
Don't even consider not finishing your degree; that would be a horrible mistake! Should you decide on the military while still in school, all you need to do is plan carefully and then carefully execute your plan.
HRL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
