 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Poopy
Date: 2000-12-01 11:06
Sorry if you've already read this (I messed up!)
I'm considering joining a military band as a clarinetist/alto sax when I leave shool. Anybody have any views?
Cheers
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Author: William
Date: 2000-12-01 14:42
The modern armed services offer good career choices for the aspiring musician and it would be advised to talk to recruitment reps from each of the services to get specific guidence. A friend of mine (trombone player) who attended music school with me during our undergraduate years, after graduation, spent the next four years playing in the Presidents Own Marine Band. During that time, was able to earn his DMA degree at Caholic University in Washington, DC and now is the Professor of trombone at our local Big Ten college. Another good friend who came back to college after spending four years playing with the Navy Band (Washington, DC) earned his DMA and went on to teach college level clarinet at a university in Colorado. These are only two success stories out of thousands of the benefits of pursuing a military career with the service of your choice. FYI--I am particial to the "Presidents Own" as the best band in the world, but that is only "IMHO." Good luck with your choice.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2000-12-01 16:41
Poopy;
I spent four years in the Air Force as a bandsman, clarinet. I learned a lot, became a pretty fair horn player, and saw a lot of Europe I would never have otherwise been able to afford on my own. I was in two different outfits; one was so-so and the other about as good as they get - aside from the "President's Own". I also believe the President's band is *the* best.
For a young single person it's a good way to go - in my opinion. For a married couple starting out, you can survive (the pay's not great but you know that). You may hate the ''regimentation' (but, believe me, in relative peacetime it's not bad). The 'Army Way' of doing things will be far outweighed by the friendships you can develop and the lifelong beneficial things you'll learn and take with you when you leave. In my estimation, if you plan to teach... the experience is invaluable.
I don't know what the educational, first time home loan, or other benefits may be now. Look into that carefully. You'll do well to follow William's advice and gather all the info you can before you decide. Visit some recruiters. Each branch has something unique that will appeal to you. I don't envy you, in that respect - it's a hard choice.
One more thing if I may, Poopy; I 'auditioned' while I was in boot camp. It wasn't hard and I easily passed but, find out if you can try out *before* you enlist and *then* sign on as a musician. It'll save you some anxiety if you know where you're going while you're doing all those push-ups.
ron b
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Author: Ken
Date: 2000-12-04 13:23
In a big nutshell, US military bands, Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force are divided into two types, “Premiere” and “Field” (US Coast Guard Band has only ONE band located in New England). There are TWO “premiere-class” bands per service with the exception of the Marines. The, Navy, Marines and Air Force premiere “mother ship” bands are located in Washington DC, the Army Band in Maryland. The remaining three premiere bands, Army and Navy (with the exception of the Air Force Academy Band that moved to Peterson AFB, CO, 30 miles from the Academy) operate out of their respective military academies, West Point and Annapolis. The main distinctions between the “premiere” and “field” bands are, premiere bands 1) Enjoy an accelerated promotion system 2) Have a reputation for hiring only the best/most talented, even world-class, professional-quality musicians 3) Not limited to regional constraints, travel and play world-wide 4) As a member you have the opportunity to hold the position for an entire career and exempt from being transferred unwillingly. Each premiere band has between 60-100 musicians that are broken down into sub-component groups and play a wide variety of styles.
The “field” bands are "regional" bands and are located around the world, their numbers vary from service to service. There are roughly 3 to 4 times as many Army, Navy and Marine field bands then Air Force bands. Army, Navy, and Marine Field bands have up to 80+ per service while there are only 12 Air Force Field Bands. These bands overall, are the “work horses” of the services but also have very fine, professional-quality musicians. They perform either locally and/or responsible for covering a specific geographic area, usually four or five states or as many countries in Europe, Asia and the Far East. As far as their missions, some focus 100% on internal support, e.g. (primarily Army, Navy and Marines) troop morale, official base/post protocol functions, ceremonies, military parades, etc. Others serve as public relations and recruiting tools (Air Force) traveling and performing for the general public, high schools, colleges and professional sporting events 30-180+ days per year depending on their operating budget and priorities.
Auditions standards for acceptance in premiere and fields bands are broad and target each band’s specific needs. Today, virtually all premiere bands and Air Force field bands hire only musicians with at least some college, if not Bachelor’s Degrees in Performance or Education and higher. The Army, Navy and Marine Field Bands follow suit but traditionally accept more High School graduates into their programs. All services with the exception of the “President’s Own” Marine Band require enlistees to attend Basic Military Training. The Army, Navy, and Marine Field Bands require a hired candidate to attend the Combined Service Music School located at Little Creek Amphibious Naval Base in Virginia, however ALL premiere bands and Air Force Field bands do not participate in this program and a person directly joins his/her first band upon completing Basic Training. Military Band Officer programs are again form-fitted to each services needs, but a rule of thumb for all bands is officers are hired to serve as managers and leaders, conductors, and administrators. They normally aren't players and/or performing musicians.
I would suggest for further information start with the premiere band's websites, they all have them as well as many field bands. Then, call the branch of service/band you're interested in FIRST and speak with their auditions representative for more details BEFORE contacting your local recruiter.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-12-04 13:43
Author: Poopy wrote:
I'm considering joining a military band as a clarinetist/alto sax when I leave shool. Anybody have any views?
Cheers
-------------------------------
Poppy: US or UK??
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Author: Poppy
Date: 2000-12-04 19:10
Hi, thanks for all your responses. I'm looking at UK bands rather than American, although everything that has been said was very useful. The stuff about premiere and field bands sounds very similar to England.
Cheers
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Author: Lindsey
Date: 2000-12-10 02:23
Well, you're looking at UK, but I'm looking at US. This has been rather helpful due to the misunderstanding!
I'm currently in the AFROTC and trying to talk my way into the band area...it's tough but over the next 5 years I hope to convince them to let me participate even though I'll be an officer. It seems like the best way to go for me. I love the Air Force atmosphere and I love music and playing my clarinet though I still have some bad habits from HS that I'm trying to get out of so I can improve my playing abilities. I'm currently a Bachelor's of Music Education major so it also seems like it would be a good aspect to a resume in the future as well as a *great* experience to play professionally. Does anyone know of some helpful people to contact about this?
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