Joining the Navy Music Program.?

Infidelity · #1 05-21-2010, 03:15 PM

Anyone have tried joining the program.? I'm quite interested in joining the program and I really don't know where to start..

**Pacman** · #2 05-21-2010, 05:58 PM

There is at least one Navy bass player on this site, as well as a bunch of military bassists (I'm one)

First step - call a Navy Band, not a recruiter. Recruiters are notorious for not knowing a lot about the program, but the bands will know what they're talking about. You'll take an audition (BEFORE you sign anything!), and if you pass, you'll go to boot camp, then 6 months at the Navy School of Music at Little Creek NAB, Virginia. (where you'll share class time with Army and Marine musicians)

After that you'll be assigned to a band, and basically gig full time. It's a pretty cool life! I can't answer Navy specific questions, but I did go to the school (I was Army) and can answer Air Force band questions, too.

Infidelity · #3 05-21-2010, 11:47 PM

I know it's quite a long shot but how how hard it is to get into the band.?

**Pacman** · #4 05-21-2010, 11:59 PM

Depends - on a lot of factors.

Can you read? (I mean well)
Can you play styles? (lots of styles)
Can you play with appropriate tone?
Can you read?
Do you play upright? (I don't think that's *required* yet)

Oh, how's your reading?

Infidelity · #5 05-22-2010, 12:04 AM

I can read music averagely and will improve since I wanna improve my slight reading to sight reading..

**Pacman** · #6 05-22-2010, 12:09 AM

Call a band - the audition is not that difficult, and the school is a pretty intense 6 months.

Infidelity · #7 05-22-2010, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Call a band - the audition is not that difficult, and the school is a pretty intense 6 months.

Thanks a lot pacman.! I think I will prepare for the audition for now..

baalroo · #8 05-22-2010, 12:57 PM

what, out of curiosity, do military bands spend their time doing?

Breslin dp · #9 05-22-2010, 01:25 PM

When I was in the Marine Corps on recruiter's assistance we had a kid that played sax and trumpet. The Corp gave that kid all kind of money to join. I don't know if you had your mind set on the Navy but you might want to check out the Marines. They have pretty cool program and you could luck out and be stationed in DC and play at the white house for the President's very own Marine Corps Band. Talk to a recruiter but just don't sign anything. Make sure that after you take your testing they put everything in writing at they office not at meps. I was going to join the Army but they were blowing smoke so I joined the Marines.

Brez

Breslin dp · #10 05-22-2010, 01:27 PM

To answer your question military bands play music and learn music and drill. You would play balls and parties and maybe perform at graduations. I am just giving you my opinion I was a mechanic with the grunts.

**Pacman** · #11 05-22-2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baalroo

what, out of curiosity, do military bands spend their time doing?

They play music.

For ceremonies, official events, community relations events, recruiting shows, funerals,parades, etc....

They also spend time taking care of the administrative tasks that allow them to play music - paperwork, purchasing, booking gigs, finance, etc.

**Pacman** · #12 05-22-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breslin dp

I don't know if you had your mind set on the Navy but you might want to check out the Marines. They have pretty cool program and you could luck out and be stationed in DC and play at the white house for the President's very own Marine Corps Band.

"The President's Own" (not President's Very Own) is the United States Marine Corp Band in DC, and it's not a gig you 'luck' into. They are the only musicians in the military who do not go to basic training, and the competition for that gig is intense. Most in that band have Master's Degrees in performance - not required, but at that level, most players do.

Munjibunga · #13 05-22-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breslin dp

... you could luck out and be stationed in DC and play at the white house for the President's very own Marine Corps Band.

.. or you could luck out and be stationed at the Stumps.

Marine Corps Band, 29 Palms

**Pacman** · #14 05-22-2010, 04:34 PM

I always hated the MC band's little fanny packs....

Munjibunga · #15 05-22-2010, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

I always hated the MC band's little fanny packs....

That's where they carry their M1911A1's, just in case things get out of hand.

**Pacman** · #16 05-22-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

That's where they carry their M1911A1's, just in case things get out of hand.

Can't fool me - that's where they keep their music pouches. Sad, but true.

Munjibunga · #17 05-22-2010, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Can't fool me - that's where they keep their music pouches. Sad, but true.

That's what they tell you. Where does the Air Force Band carry their music pouches?

**Pacman** · #18 05-23-2010, 02:36 AM

We don't - we memorize our music. Cause you know, we're better. ;-)

Munjibunga · #19 05-28-2010, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

We don't - we memorize our music. Cause you know, we're better. ;-)

Yeah, at polishing your shoes.

**Pacman** · #20 05-28-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Yeah, at polishing your shoes.

And, you know....playing music.

We don't have to send our people to school for 6 months to learn how to play. The Army, Navy and Marines do....