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For many classically trained musicians, professional options can
be limiting in the civilian sector, but playing for the armed forces
can offer opportunities for both sides.
Unlike most jobs in
the Army, Soldiers who are selected to serve in the Military
Occupational Specialty 42R, musicians, musicians come into the
organization already proficient at the job ... some with years of
experience in and around the music industry.
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December 23, 2016 - The 1st Infantry Division Band plays to a live
crowd during the 2016 Armed Forces Bowl at Amon C. Carter Stadium in
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas. The band prefaced
this performance with a smaller performance by their brass section
at the ticket booth. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Roach, 19th
Public Affairs Detachment)
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“In the civilian world, it’s definitely struggling,” said
Spc. Brent Kelley, a saxophone player in the 1st Infantry
Division Band. “A lot of major symphony organizations are in
trouble. I think I read that both the Philadelphia and
Pittsburgh orchestras went on strike. The music industry is
definitely changing. (There is) less classical music
available these days, it’s more pop more electronic music
like DJs.”
The Army has more uniformed bands than any
other branch of the military and uses them to support a
variety of functions and events in addition to myriad
community outreach avenues. They play at many military
ceremonies throughout the year, provide esprit de corps
during events and are capable of putting on entire concerts
with a range of music from jazz to classical featuring both
large- and small-piece productions.
“For me, for the kind of playing that I
want to do, this is the best choice,” Kelley said. As a
saxophonist there aren’t too many other band opportunities
out there. There are some professional jazz and musical jobs
available, but again (they are) very competitive.”
The process of joining the Army as a musician is only
slightly different from that of other enlisted jobs.
Prospective candidates are put in contact with a band
liaison for their respective region and are then given an
audition of ceremonial, orchestral and pop music in order
for the liaison to judge the musician’s versatility and
ability to play the range of music that is required in the
modern Army band field. Additionally, a piece of prepared
music is given to the would-be Soldier just a day prior to
their audition to determine how quickly and proficiently the
candidate can perform a new piece if they are asked to do so
in a hurry.
After passing their audition and
subsequently joining the Army and completing basic training,
the new Soldiers are then sent to Advanced Individual
Training at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk,
Virginia.
Having a degree in music is not required
to join the Army band, but it is encouraged. In the 1st Inf.
Div. Band, 19 out of 27 musicians currently at Fort Riley
have at least studied at the collegiate level with the unit
boasting 17 bachelor’s degrees, eight master’s degrees and
one Ph.D. student at nearby Kansas State University.
The competitive nature of the music industry, coupled
with an overall decline in markets for classical music, has
made the Army band an appealing prospect for many
experienced musicians.
Playing for the Army bands is
not only appealing, but rewarding to some who view it as an
opportunity to grow musically and take advantage of
opportunities not presented in a typical orchestral or
symphonic setting.
“The symphonies are very
competitive,” said Spc. Amanda DiClerico, a trombone player
in the 1st Inf. Div. Band. “In addition to them just
downsizing, a lot of musicians will stay there for their
tenure, so you’ll have people that will stay there 30 to 40
years — that’s what makes it hard. In the military it’s
great because we play a lot of different types of genres. Me
personally, I don’t like to think of myself exclusively as
an orchestral trombone player so to be able to play
different genres: jazz, classical, different styles of
contemporary music, is wonderful. So that was very
appealing. That was another reason that I decided to join.”
Perhaps most important to the professional musicians who
join the Army band is the fact that they get a significant
amount of time to simply play music.
“I graduated
college with a music industry degree, so I took both music
and business classes,” Kelley said. “I started working for
my local symphony orchestra, the Albany symphony. I also got
into ticket sales and I worked for a sports arena. I also
worked for a large theater in the box office. I did that for
three years after college and I decided that I wanted to do
more playing and that’s what brought me to the Army ... We
do get to play a lot on average I would say that half the
day is music so I really enjoy that.”
In the Army
band, being a Soldier means doing more than simply playing
music, it’s an advantage that can make members of the
organization more dynamic than their civilian counterparts.
“I think the Army also pushes for individuals to be
fairly well rounded,” DiClerico said. “They expect us to be
at a level of athleticism. In the band we have collateral
duties as well, so I’m a human resource specialist, I
learned how to do that. There is a lot of cross training the
Army expects and I think that’s very helpful.”
Members of the 1st Inf. Div. Band are quick to point out
other bonuses to life in the Army band and as a result
consider it an opportunity towards a career.
“I like
the steady schedule, knowing what is coming up, I like
keeping in shape — fitness has become important to me,”
Kelley said. “When I first joined I didn’t expect to go
longer than my four-year contract. Now that I am getting
into it I think I could potentially make this a career. I
still haven’t totally decided but I could see myself in the
band for 20 years.”
For others, being both a band member
and a Soldier has proven fulfilling enough to cement a
career in the Army band, because of what they represent to
the public and the professional responsibility that comes
with their positions.
“I just reenlisted for another
three years and two months, as of right now I do plan on
making it a career, it’s a really rewarding job,” DiClerico
said. “I definitely enjoy the musical side of things. That
being said, I also like helping the unit, doing my
particular jobs I have to do here. Tomorrow my group is
playing for the Equal Opportunities observance. Being able
to add our musical contribution, I think is really special.
And to go to those little towns and kind of help and be a
part of their parade, definitely the musical outreach is my
favorite part of what we do.”
By U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Roach
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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