 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: claaaaaarinet!!!!
Date: 2007-10-04 18:24
Does anybody have experience with the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band (Pershing's Own) in Washington D.C.? Are you in it currently, been in it in the past, know people in it, heard them perform, etc.? They're holding an audition this month and I'm curious about what the work load is like for clarinets, what a typical day might look like, how much of the job is playing funerals, whether or not people like the job... Also, any info about the audition itself (how many players they bring in for the audition, how long it lasts, screened/not screened) woudl be interesting to me.
Thanks!
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Author: redwine
Date: 2007-10-04 18:46
Hello,
I'm not in that band, but it would be an excellent job. Take it if you win the audition!
I would contact the auditions supervisor and ask to be connected with one of the clarinetists in the section to ask those questions.
Good 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
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-10-04 19:47
Pershing's Own is the US Army Band. It's a Special Band, in which assignments are "stabilized" -- that is, you stay there permanently. Other bands, called "Line Bands," are ordinary Army units, which means that you can be transferred out at any time, based on the needs of the Army. As a practical matter, "transferred out" means "maybe going to Iraq."
If you audition and get into the Army Band, it's EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you have a guarantee IN WRITING that you're going there after basic training. Otherwise, you WILL be assigned to a Line Band.
Ken Shaw
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Author: hrvanbeek
Date: 2007-10-04 21:19
Keep in mind that regardless of location, an Army Bandsperson's primary mission is still music - yes, even in Iraq. You will not be in combat as an Infantryman...
Also keep in mind that everone in the Army regardless of MOS (military occupational specialty or JOB) has secondary duties (i.e. answering phones, office work, cleaning toilets, guard duty, etc) - yes, even at the "Special Bands" (although the guard duty part is highly unlikely there). So, pretty much just like most jobs in the world...you get assigned additional tasks that are "not your job".
Just for the record - for whatever reason, over the years, "line bands" have come to be referred to as "Regular Army Bands".
And yes, in the Regular Bands movement to other Regular Bands happens, on average, every 3 years (sometimes more, sometimes less).
Just my $.02...
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-10-04 22:03
Nice to hear from you, Heather and Good Luck to you.
Bob Draznik
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Author: redwine
Date: 2007-10-04 22:51
Hello,
From this "special band" perspective (US Naval Academy), there's no toilet cleaning, or guard duty (although we did pitch in right after 9/11), and only office work if you volunteer. We do answer phones about once per month for 4 hours. Once a year, we have to do an on-line general military training course that takes about 30 minutes. Everything else is musical (unless you think marching band is non-musical).
Military bands are great jobs, in my opinion. Job security is high, pay is high, musicianship (at least in my experience) is high. Plus, there's plenty of time to teach or gig or have a garden besides your job.
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
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-10-04 23:02
> (...) or have a garden besides your job.
To grow your own Arundo Donax? ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
--
Ben
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Author: redwine
Date: 2007-10-04 23:09
Hello,
Actually, I do have a stand in front of my house. I think the Maryland climate is too (something or other) to produce thick enough cane, though. I even have some reed rush growing in front too, but the main garden is full of Maryland native plants, which really draw the wildlife. I'm not out in the country, but in the last year I've seen on my property a fox, deer (eating my tomatoes!), red-tailed hawk, a bald eagle (flying overhead), osprey, opossum, and a myriad of birds. Who knows what I haven't seen! As I practice, the cardinals take a particular interest in the funny noises coming from my practice room.
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
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Author: claaaaaarinet!!!!
Date: 2007-10-05 18:25
Thanks everyone for the info about Army Bands. Overall, it sounds like a good gig. Any details folks might have about the Ceremonial Band in particular would interest me. I was looking at the band roster on the Pershing's Own website (http://www.usarmyband.com/ceremonial_band/the_us_army_ceremonial_band_roster.html) and was struck by the fact that there were more than twice as many trumpets as clarinets in the band, and also more trombones than clarinets. I'm guessing this is due to the Arlington Cemetery assignment (brass quintets to play taps, etc.), but it made me wonder how clarinets fit into the scheme of things there. Do the clarinets play as many funerals as brass players, or are they only needed for other ceremonies?
Ben, some winged creatures recently took an interest in my clarinet playing as well. The other night, I was practicing and I heard some rustling on the other side of the door leading to our third-floor attic. I opened the door to find a big bat bat hanging upside down in the door way. I looked right into its eyes. I shut the door right away and haven't opened it since. It was a pretty freaky deal.
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2007-10-05 18:42
re: maryland arundo donax...
I have in my possesion right now a couple tubes of Maryland "home grown" from the garden of Mr. David Jones, probably DC's best clarinetist, and definately top master reed maker. The cane has some good qualities, and i have made some reeds that work.
Silver Spring's finest!!
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2007-10-05 21:17
Rod Rubber wrote:
"Mr. David Jones, probably DC's best clarinetist"
I can't let that one pass unchallenged, Rod! I've worked with David, and I agree that he is a very fine player! To say that he is "better" than Loren Kitt, Paul Cigan, Gene Mondie, Ed Cabarga, and a few really exceptional players in the Marine Band takes a bit of chutzpah!
We are truly blessed to have so many outstanding musicians here in the Nation's Capitol!
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2007-10-05 21:24
Larry,
I think david is an all star, and having been a student of loren, and played with NSO and OPera as a sub, its just my opinion.
I just really like david jones.
Nice to talk to you larry
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2007-10-06 01:35
A dear friend of mine played in this band for many years. She hated it. She now plays in Pershings Own and is much happier. I guess funerals every day can get you down...
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Author: ken
Date: 2007-10-09 01:08
I've been retired from the Air Force band program almost 5 years now; I spent my 24-year career in the (field) Regional Bands but toured and recorded with both the DC and Academy Bands half a dozen times each. Looking back down memory lane, I complemented the Air Force Ceremonial Band (99 piece) and marched Reagan's 2nd and Bush 41s' Inaugural parades.
One area to consider if / when accepting a position with Pershing's Own is the cost of living in the DC area compared to the offset pay. Even with an accelerated promotion system and COLA, Housing, and Sep rations supplements (all DC service bands start out at TSgt / SFC or E-6 with no guarantee to E-7 to E-9) you're still living lean unless you find a pad in Northern Virginia or Maryland. Then for the trade-off you've got a God-awful commute and sky-high gasoline bills. Many, if not all the premiere bands have closed promotion systems, that is the promotion stripes awarded (E-7 & E-8) are in-house and in a closed pool; in other words; major politics in a potentially cut-throat environment to move up the ladder. I knew many musicians in the premiere bands during my career -- and surely things may have eased up since 2002 -- it was not uncommon for a band member to sit on E-7 for 5, 10, or even an entire 20-year career, and never see the super ranks. Do the math; if you're in it for the career, would it be worth the pension if you only got promoted once in 20 years, or even twice PLUS living in the DC area the whole time? Don't forget District of Columbia income tax above and beyond FITW and FICA. Professional and financial suicide, you ask me.
But, the local pay gig market is another story; there's big bucks to be made (and teaching opportunities) to promote your career. To be successful in DC and not call home a Maytag box you must diversify, stretch your talent and consistenly work hard.
Weigh the pros and cons carefully; and seek out current and retired premiere band people for more points of view; it may be worth putting up with the headaches for the career path, and it MAY NOT. v/r Ken
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Author: Tode
Date: 2007-10-09 17:27
Coming from the child of a member of Pershing's Own, I can say that living in northern Virginia or southern Maryland isn't too bad considering the number of people who make less than those in the band and commute twice as far. Now, I think living in Sterling, VA and driving is nuts...It really is a matter of what you're willing to deal with. I've also heard that it's a good idea to go ahead and take the housing stipends and live off base. You'd have to ask others about that one, but most of the band guys live off.
My father loves his job and has been doing it for 26 years. He's a Sergent Major (E-9) and yes, he has had to deal with politics when it comes to getting promoted. He was clarinet section leader (and is still assistant drum major) in the Ceremonial group. On a side note, before they changed the system of moving up into Concert Band, I believe you were able to move up into the Concert Band based on years in and rank. However, the most recent commander changed that and now the ceremonial guys have to audition along with the other invited civilians. Kinda stinky but it's possible to make it into Concert Band if the whole funeral thing doesn't float your boat.
For my father, the job as allowed him to be home with my brother and I (he was usually home when I got back from school) and do other hobbies of his. Many of the guys in all the bands gig on the weekends with dance bands such as Encore, and teach private lessons. Some of the guys are even music ministers at their church. It's a matter of what you want to do, but there really is a lot to do in D.C. You just have to keep your ears and eyes open and make as many friends as possible.
I don't claim to know that much about the job, but I have grown up with it and want to pursue a job in this line of work. I hope this info helps you. Good luck and I'll be seeing you at the audition because I too got invited! =)
~Sarah Todenhoft~
Geaux Tigers!
Post Edited (2007-10-09 17:30)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-10-10 06:58
I remember a member of the US Army Field Band (not pershing's own) come talk to us. If you're interested in the Field Band as well (another special assignment with the same scale and benefits of Pershing's Own), just take into account that the Field Band does a LOT of traveling. I believe they travel nearly 3/4 of the year. The member talking to us told us that it is sometimes dificult for families of their members since they're not around nearly as much as other bands.
Just FYI if you're looking into Field Band as well.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: mrk
Date: 2007-10-11 01:08
Hello all,
Thanks Alexi for mentioning The US Army Field Band. One point of clarification: TUSAFB is on the road about 100-110 days per year (roughly 1/3 of the year, not 3/4). The major portions of travel are broken into spring, summer, and fall tours. Spring and fall tours each average 32-37 days, and the summer tour is roughly 15-21 days.
The purpose of the traveling is found at the heart of the bands' mission: to connect and reconnect the American public to its military. (my paraphrase)
Travel can be difficult on any family with a parent or spouse regularly on the road. I am a nearly eight-year member of the band, married with a wonderful one year-old son, and we adjust to the travel. Video conferencing, cell phones, and other electronic communications also help a great deal.
Feel free to email me with questions. Thanks for allowing me this tangent.
Matt Kanowith
The United States Army Field Band
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-10-11 05:40
My mistake on the length of time. But certainly 1/3 of the year traveling is lot!!!
US Army Japan Band
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