Making Music for Our Nation
By Dawn Allcot, N2Arts Correspondent
Serving your country by playing your music
 

ould you like to travel the world as part of a professional musical ensemble? Perform a solo at Carnegie Hall? Play for the President of the United States? You might want to think about a career in a military band.

The U.S. Army is the world’s largest employer of musicians, with 114 active duty, Army Reserves and National Guard bands. The Air Force, Navy and Marines each have 12 active duty bands stationed worldwide, as well as many premier ensembles. These premier bands - the best of the best - include the Army Field Band, “Pershing’s Own” U.S. Army Band, the U.S. Air Force Premier Band, and, of course, “The President’s Own” Marine Band.

There are lots of jobs available, but it’s not easy to get into a military band. You have to audition, just as you would for a position in a professional orchestra. Master Sargaent Joe Jackson, lead trombonist for the Airmen of Note, the jazz ensemble of the US Air Force, says, “All of the musicians in The United States Air Force Band have received years of music education and training, and experience as civilian performers.”

Before joining the Airmen, Jackson attended the University of North Texas, where he played with the One O’Clock Lab Band. He then landed a role with the Maynard Ferguson Band. He’s been playing wit the Airmen of Note for 12 years.

Once they pass their auditions, military band members (except those in “The President’s Own") undergo basic training, just as any other enlisted person would. Then, instead of being assigned to one of the military schools to continue training, they are stationed with a band. However, don’t think of a seat with a military band as an “easy” way to serve your country. “While the benefits of an Air Force band job are tremendous, we work very, very hard,” Jackson says of his branch, and the same is true of the Marines, Army and Navy ensembles. Besides their roles as performers, military band members also act as publicists, promoters, agents, managers, roadies, producers and recording engineers. You’ll wear many hats as a military band member!

A career with the military offers a steady paycheck, full benefit package, and tuition assistance or college repayment programs - things not guaranteed to civilian musicians. More importantly, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you are supporting our nation in a very special way. “Our job gives us the great honor of supporting our troops through musical performances,” Jackson says. “Our mission is to win the support and will of the American Public.”

If a musical career in the military is your dream, don’t lose sight of that goal. Jackson advises, “There are a great many pressures and opportunities for young musicians. It is important for you - and your parents - to understand that if your goal is to be a professional musician, music has to be the primary focus in your life.”

In addition to practicing as much as you can, applying to a top-notch music conservatory, and studying hard with your school instructors and private teachers, Jackson says it’s important to seek to be in an environment with the best players. Throughout his career, Jackson has backed, or performed with, artists such as Clark Terry, Vanessa Williams, Tony Bennett and Stanley Turrentine. “It’s always better to be the little fish in a big pond!” As a member of a United States military band, you’ll be swimming in one of the most prestigious ponds in the world. 

Dawn Allcot, journalist, editor and music education advocate, has enjoyed school music performances in venues from New York to Australia. As the former editor of Band & Orchestra Product News and a frequent contributor to School Band and Orchestra magazine, she strives to inspire young musicians and their teachers through her writing. Find out more at www.dawnallcot.com. She can be reached by email at dawnallcot@yahoo.com.