The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2000-06-27 00:41
How many Army Bands are employed by the US Army and how many clarinet positions would there approximately be all together? Just out of curiosity I would like to know as much as possible about the Army Band scene, like how they do the auditions, additional education, work conditions and stuff. Would it be a good job for young clarinet players and would you go for it if you see an audition announced?
Alphie
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-06-27 03:46
i would go down to my Army recruited and have him get you all the information you require. You could do the same for all branches of the service.
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-06-27 14:06
How could I know where anyone is on this board? One of the many things that I like is that people are from all over the world. I assume that most are from the USA.
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Author: William
Date: 2000-06-27 14:45
Alphie--Do you mean USA Army Bands?? Try gettin info from the US Embassy. Also, I recommend that you go for the US Marine Band--IMHO, they are the best in the world. Good luck in your search.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-06-27 14:50
Bob Gardner wrote:
<br>-------------------------------
<br>How could I know where anyone is on this board? One of the many things that I like is that people are from all over the world. I assume that most are from the USA.
<br>-------------
<br>I think your current assuption is correct, but there is a sizeable percentage of BBoarders outside the US - I'd guess 10% of the posters and about 30% of the readers.
<br>
<br>Maybe you missed the smiley - we all have to remember to try and avoid being parochial - even me sometimes!
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Author: larry
Date: 2000-06-27 14:59
As a Swede, can Alphie choose between any of the NATO military bands? Too bad France is not a member of NATO, then he could apply for the Guarde Republicain band.
All in all, though, I think Bob Gardner's response is appropriate - I'm sure the Swedish military has recruitment offices (despite the mandatory service requirement) where Alphie can get more information.
PS - I hear the Danish merchant marine corps band plays a nice transcription of the Nielsen Concerto...
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-06-27 15:13
Actually, Larry, I think Alphie may be thinking of some of his students or acquaintences - Alphie's been playing professionally and recording for many years.
Alphie posts on Klarinet once in a while, and if you care to check you can probably figure out who he really is (Alphie's a nickname).
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2000-06-28 00:12
It seems like my question derailed along the line. I didn't ask for any personal reasons. I have a job that I'm very happy with. I was just curious to find out if the Army Bands are an option for young clarinet players who want to be professionals. Since there are so few orchestra positions and so many good and talented players in the US, what do they all do?
Once on tour in the US, after having played in several of the big cities in the most famous Concert Halls, we ended up in Schenectady (I've forgotten which state and maybe how to spell it), a beautiful place but small. Staying in the same hotel were people from a Broadway Musical, that had been on tour for two years. Leaders of the string sections were a quite well-known string-quartet called New Hampshire String Quartet. We got to talk to them in the hotel bar and they told us a little about what it was like being on tour for two years in a row. We had only been on tour for two weeks. The cellist said: "So, now we've been on this "dern" (he used another word but since this is a family site...) tour for two "dern" years, playing in every "dern" city and every little "dern" village across the country. And then we end up here, I mean, Schenectady, doesn't that sound like something that sticks to the bottom of your shoe".
So, since it's not so easy to find work for talanted people my question was if the Army Bands were an option and if people would go for that if an audition comes up?
Alphie
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-06-28 00:44
Alphie,
The good military bands (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, and Coast Guard) do have openings; many times I'll post them in the Announcements sections. However, they're pretty tight - not many openings, and the competition is about the same as for a good regional orchestra - and in the case of a few of the select bands, the same as a major orchestra. It does open up the field, however.
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Author: larry
Date: 2000-06-28 13:48
do members of these bands also have to perform regular military service? Or are they exempt? I think there are also age limitations that may preclude all but the younger musicians.
by the way, Mark, I've figured out who "Alphie" is. based on her knowledge of New York State geography, it must be Hillary Clinton. You go girl!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-06-28 14:12
larry wrote:
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do members of these bands also have to perform regular military service? Or are they exempt?
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Depends on the band. You must ask very specific questions to figure out the level of true military involvement.
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