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Anybody have experience playing with National Guard bands?

TheXym

TheXym

Oct 19, 2006
902
28
#1
I was speaking with the National Guard Bandmaster for PA at the All-State Chorus Festival last week, and he mentioned they have a rock group and a jazz group. I may be interested in auditioning since I'm looking for some more gigging opportunities that aren't necessarily the "bar band" scene. Of course he was making it sound good, so I was wondering if any fellow TB'er had any experience playing in the guard bands and if there were any catches to it (I'm fully aware I'd be a member of the military if I joined, but do the bands get pulled for extended active duties as well?)
 
#2
Well, you have to give up one weekend a month; so if you are in any bands you better make sure they understand you won't be available 1/4 of the time and you better understand that if they think that your missing is gonna hold them back they are going to get someone who is free one every weekend.

Traditionally the NG band in my area goes on tour every summer for two weeks (one weekend a month; Two weeks a year); but my old trumpet teacher from high school was in the guard band and they activated the whole band to pull radar duty on a ship off Korea. Remember they aren’t letting guys out who’s contracts have expired (stop loss) so don’t be surprised if you end up in the sand box.

Also, if you are in the rock band or jazz band be prepared to be roped into concert band/marching band. Last time I saw the local NG band the bass player in the jazz band was the bass drummer in the concert and marching band, so make sure you have a good back, you will either be playing bass drum, cymbals, or caring a flag or banner in the Marching band. They aren’t going to let you sit around doing nothing while they rehearse the concert band and the tradition of marching is to important to let anyone go to waste

When I was in High School I went and sat in with the band, I spent all day Saturday with them (I played baritone in the Concert band and watched the Jazz band rehearsal). Then about 3 o’clock they had a surprise inspection and had to go get their rifles and I had to leave.

JYS

As a post script, if you complain about rifle drills they will make you the Machine Gunner in the squad (even though you are in the band you are a solider first!) A friend of mine who was a trumpet player griped and they took away his 8 pound M16 and gave him a 23 pound M60 to carry and clean.
 
#4
Thanks for the replies. I figured I'd be roped into the concert band setting, but I used to play trumpet in high school and college, but I gave it up about 8 years ago due to lack of gigs and having my main gig being a chorus teaching gig at the high school level, so my music emphasis has been on the keys and vocals, and the bass has been my fun on the side (I'm playing with a local praise team, but that's my only steady bass gig at the moment, and I switch off with another player so the 1 weekend/month wouldn't be bad).

My biggest concern is getting co-opted into a non-band role for an extended time, since I don't want to be away from the family more than the 2 week gig in the summer (and that's really my biggest hold-up at this point).
 
#5
You do realize that Sand Box = Iraq, Right? And you know what "Stop Loss" means, Right?

I greatly respect those who serve, in the Guard or otherwise, but just be sure you understand what the realities are: There are a lot of Guard units that have been in Iraq for a long time, including their bass players. :cool:
 
#6
Jim Carr said:
You do realize that Sand Box = Iraq, Right? And you know what "Stop Loss" means, Right?

I greatly respect those who serve, in the Guard or otherwise, but just be sure you understand what the realities are: There are a lot of Guard units that have been in Iraq for a long time, including their bass players. :cool:
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm aware of those realities, and it's why I'm very hesitant. I don't want to leave my teaching gig, since I enjoy it way too much, and more importantly, I don't want to be away from my wife and kids very long. It's a big reason why I haven't followed up from the initial conversation with the bandmaster. :)

I also highly respect those who serve in the military, and almost made it my own career. I had nominations to both West Point and Annapolis, but on my 18th birthday when we invaded Panama a friend of mine was killed by friendly fire. Being a pallbearer for a closed casket funeral than having his mom and dad open it and tell me to think things over dissuaded me from going career military. Those memories are also a big reason why I've been hesitant.
 
#8
There is a lot of misinformation in this thread. I would ask that only those with actual military experience give out advise about being in the military.
 

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