 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jeig
Date: 2020-07-14 06:18
The United States Navy Band is searching for a world-class clarinetist to join the ranks of the dedicated men and women who are called to serve; some of the world’s most professional highly acclaimed and inspiring musicians. This vacancy is for a permanent-duty position within the Navy’s premier Concert/Ceremonial Band a unit regularly staffed by 85 musicians who rotate between concert and
ceremonial duties. Based in Washington D.C. and recognized as one of the finest wind ensembles in the world, the Concert Band has performed marches patriotic selections orchestral transcriptions and modern wind ensemble repertoire on national tours public concerts and educational conferences for nearly 100 years. The Ceremonial Band performs music at official military government functions and other special events including ceremonies for high-level military and civilian government officials at the White House and Pentagon and funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.
Starting salary for a new member of the U.S. Navy Band is $64,412-$67,472, plus 30 days paid leave annually and full benefits for members and dependents. Members may also be eligible for an enlistment bonus (up to $10,000) and/or the Student Loan Repayment Program (up to $65,000). Those selected for the U.S. Navy Band are advanced to the paygrade of E-6 (musician first class) following recruit training, under a contract for permanent duty with the U.S. Navy Band. Applicants must be aged 18 to 39 and otherwise qualified for service in the U.S. Navy. Please note that the Navy has strict requirements with regard to medical readiness and physical appearance. Additionally, Navy Band members may not have tattoos that are visible in short sleeves and skirts. Please visit https://www.navyband.navy.mil/career_information.html for further details.
The clarinet audition will take place at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. and will be scheduled by appointment. All parts are to be prepared as they are presented in this audition packet. Sight-reading and ensemble playing may be required on semi-final and final rounds.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-07-14 14:00
The main service bands in D.C. (and the respective academy bands) are great jobs. Keep in mind that the winners of these positions could easily make many orchestras throughout the country as well.........so you need to be competitive.
All require 6 to 9 weeks of Basic Training (except for The United States Marine Band - The President's Own), but after that hardship, these gigs are pretty much music only.....unlike the standard band programs for the services.
.....................Paul Aviles
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2020-07-14 20:35
Paul-- What is different about the standard band programs for the services? What else do they do besides rehearse and play?
I was accepted into the Navy band program in 1978, but chose to remain a band teacher. Down sides to the Navy band were only one month vacation and at that time 11 weeks of basic. Salary was about 13K, same as my teacher salary.
Why is the Marine Band exempt from basic, but not the other top bands?
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2020-07-14 21:47
The Coast Guard band had no basic either back in the early 1960's, and I entered as an E-6. Got saluted by an E-2 on my first day and didn't know how to salute back!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-07-14 22:24
In the band program of any service, you are soldier, sailor, soldier, airman first.
What does that mean.
Most importantly it means that you can be expected to do, and often are asked to do the regular work of your service's enlisted grade instead of musical duties. That isn't all bad though. You'll do things and go places that can wind up more rewarding that you could imagine.......but it may not be a band related memory.
The other important difference is promotion.......and not just where you start in rank (much higher in the D.C. bands and academies). The rank structure in the D.C. bands is mostly 'time in service.' The older folk are the highest ranking; when they retire, you move up. So you cannot 'work your way up.' The standard bandsman by contrast is in competition with other bandsmen in terms of musical ability and "soldiering" skills. So it sounds fairer to think that you can work extra hard and have the rewarded. The problem is that everyone does that, and you can wind up stalling out (a current issue with US Army bandsmen) as far as promotion is concerned.
I served 20 in the standard Army Band program and wouldn't have changed a thing. It was a great experience. Though when you're gig is just music, that's pretty cool too.
................Paul Aviles
P.S. Ken, that guy should have been sent back to basic! No one salutes the enlisted!!!
Post Edited (2020-07-14 22:25)
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Author: lmliberson
Date: 2020-07-15 00:29
Tom H asked "Why is the Marine Band exempt from basic, but not the other top bands?"
Well, according to a now retired colleague of mine who served/played in the Marine Band back in the 1960s, no musician would have survived the United States Marine Corps basic training, ergo no band!
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2020-07-15 01:06
lmliberson, I can well believe that. My brother is an Annapolis grad.-- those that go "Corps." are nuts.
When he was a plebe, a first classman asked "You going Corps.?" He replied "Yes sir, Drum & Bugle Corps. sir".
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
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Author: jeig
Date: 2020-07-15 04:57
Original poster here.
All applicants with questions should contact...
NavyBand.Auditions@navy.mil
Applicants can also look at this site with lots of information and FAQ's...
https://www.navyband.navy.mil/career_information.html
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Author: LFabian
Date: 2020-07-24 09:25
Last year I pulled up their audition list. I could play them very easily, however I am 72,hearing aids and can't do a pushup. A bad back does not help.
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Author: Michael E. Shultz
Date: 2020-07-24 14:48
LFabian wrote:
> Last year I pulled up their audition list. I could play them
> very easily, however I am 72,hearing aids and can't do a
> pushup. A bad back does not help.
I got a recruiting brochure from the Air Force back in high school. To be a pilot required perfect uncorrected vision, and no allergies. A navigator could have 20/40 uncorrected vision (I believe), but still no allergies.
I quietly crossed flying off my list of possible career choices. I have great respect for the military, but it's no place for unathletic males with thick glasses and allergies.
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
Groucho Marx
Post Edited (2020-07-24 14:49)
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