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Looking For a Full Time/DayJob playing Bass?

#21
bassplaynmatt said:
My wife is in the Army Field Band at Ft. Meade and seeing as how we are both working musicians I never thought we would have health insurance until she scored that gig! They go in at 9am and there usually done by 11:30am, it doesn't get much sweeter than that: ) Anyway, there current bassist is going to be retiring soon so if any of you DC guys want to look into a top tier army gig this is one of them! I would audition for it myself but considering the army would lower my wife's pay if I was in the army it would work out to be about the same we make now except I'd have to go to Boot Camp:eek:
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which band is she in? And which band is the bassist retiring from?
 
#22
I just wanted to bump this thread by wishing Couvy good luck on his army band audition this week!

He's picked some good tunes as prepared pieces, he's working up his scales and sight reading, and I know he's gonna kick some major $$$. Good Luck Bro! Keep us posted on how it goes!
 
#23
Well, I just got an email from Couvy (soon to be SPC Couvillion!) and he's passed his field audition and will be off to basic training and then 6 months at the Army School of Music in Virginia Beach!

Big congratulations on passing the audition and securing a spot for yourself at Fort Rucker! I'm glad that this thread helped you make a big positive step for you and your wife!

Matt Smith, Specialist
Bassist, 8th US Army Band
Seoul, South Korea
 
#24
Thanks so much, Matt, this is just a GREAT opportunity. I'm thrilled to be able to start so soon. Anyone thinking about it - definitely go for it, because it really is one of the best steady gigs out there for us. I'll drop another line when I get out of basic!
 
#26
Couvy said:
Thanks so much, Matt, this is just a GREAT opportunity. I'm thrilled to be able to start so soon. Anyone thinking about it - definitely go for it, because it really is one of the best steady gigs out there for us. I'll drop another line when I get out of basic!
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Hey just wanted to say congrats on your new job. I came from the US Army Band in Japan. (296th Army Band). At the time I was a trumpet player and a keyboard player and living in Japan we was a blast. I can relate to what was said about covering the AF's gigs. We used to fly to Okinawa 3 times a year to cover the 7th Fleet bands gigs and on some occasions we would also do work for the Marines over there. I would really love to go back in to be honest. It was/is a great gig and I hope you enjoy the heck out of it.

I was in BT from Nov 89-Feb 90 and then went to Norfolk (Little Creek VA) for the school of music which ended up being almost 9 months since I was a trumpet player and there were way too many of us at the time. I then got orders to Japan and was over there from 90-94. I often reflect on that time and where I "could" be right now, but if I thought I could get through the BT part again I would do it in a heartbeat!

You should feel proud of your accomplishment. Best wishes to you. :bassist:
 
#27
Great post Brian!
I would love to make it out to Japan, after having done a year in Korea I really fell in love with Asia and I've heard such great things about that duty station.

It looks like Ryan (couvy) won't be able to check his email anytime soon since it's still getting smoked at basic training!
I bet he is probably approaching week three, so he'll soon be off to the range to work on marksmanship! I bet he's having a blast...I know I did!

I can't wait to hear back from him and I play on driving down to South Carolina for his graduation, or at least going to visit him at the old School of Music.

If anyone as any interest at all in working military bands, drop me a line and we can talk about the stuff the recruiters WONT tell you!

Matt
 
#28
If I were a bunch younger I'd seriously consider a military band gig.

But when I *was* a bunch younger I had a "trouble with authority" streak about a mile wide, and figured that Service was not for me.

Much respect now, though, to those who serve.
 
#30
Hi Les,
I'm on active duty so technically I'm on duty 5 days a week, making music and doing side work to keep the band running, like schedualing or driving the bus to gigs.
As far as being sent to south east asia to perform music, since I assume that is what you mean by "called to duty", there are 9 active duty bands that are attached to units which deploy, such as the 82Airborne, 10th Mountain Division, 3rd Infantry Division...etc. The rest of the 38-39 active bands do not deploy because their stateside missions (gigs), like playing at weekly basic training graduations, are too important and take precedence.

From what I've seen in my 3 years in the army band, it's fairly easy to stay away from the 9 bands that deploy, since we pretty much get to choose where we want to go. I've encounter many bandsmen who've been in 15-20 years and have never deployed. I've also met bandsmen who say the time they spent in the desert entertaining soliders who've been subjected to deployment and redeployment, lost friends in combat situations, and been away from their families for a year at a time, was the most rewarding musicial experience of their lives.

Deployment in the army band field is a possibiliy since we are soldier musicians. But even after 5 years in Iraq, band deployment is the exception, not the rule. If you aren't willing to accept the role of a solider, the army band is not for you.

I hope that answers your question, Les.
Peace!
Matt
 
#31
PocketGroove82 said:
My band has been called down to the Osan Air Base's officers club many, many times to cover their fancy, smansy general's parties (with subpar fillet mignon...i'd might add!). :crying:
And I've always wondered why the USAF needed to outsource their gigs to the Army when they could easily fly a band over on some F-22s! :eek: :rollno: :o

But now I know the real reason... :hyper:
Their bass players are too busy blogging on TB to cover their own gigs!

:D ;) :D

hehe, jon is gonna slap me with his combat patch when he reads this! lol
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Yeah, that's the reason....

AlAsad.jpg



FWIW, the only band we have in Asia is in Japan, and there's only 11 people in the unit - TOTAL.
 
#32
Oh yeah, and if anyone's interested in the difference between Army and Air Force Bands, drop me a note. I was in both - 14 years of the Army, 7 (so far) in the Air Force. Be advised, it's much tougher to get into the AF, but it's worth it! :D
 
#33
Hey Jon,
Great pic! Althought I'd opt for an M16 over the 9mil, even if the 9mil looks cooler! lol :)
I looked into the Texas Air National Guard band, for when I get out in October and head down to UNT for the masters, but those guys never have a slot open. :(
Much Respect,
Matt
 
#34
I'd rather have the long gun, too. But I only take what's authorized for me. I figure if I need a rifle, there'll be plenty of them laying on the ground....

Keep knocking on the ANG Band's door - something will shake loose.
 
#35
Pocket, you answered my question and much, much more. It sounds like a great opportunity, but I don't think I could put myself at risk like that, no matter how slight the chance may be. I appreciate your response!
 
#36
lesclaypoolsob said:
Pocket, you answered my question and much, much more. It sounds like a great opportunity, but I don't think I could put myself at risk like that, no matter how slight the chance may be. I appreciate your response!
Click to expand...

Having been there, I can tell you two things:

It's not like you see on TV.

I've never felt safer in my life.
 
#37
I should have been more specific with my question regarding being called to duty. I have trouble understanding due to my limited knowledge of how things work. First and foremost, you are there to entertain as a musician, even when you are deployed, or am I wrong? I understand that during an attack or some other dire situation you would be thrown into combat. I am more of a musician than a fighter, and while it may seem cowardly, I would like to avoid any kind of life theatening situation. Although, if that's the case maybe the army band is not for me. I appreciate everyone's patience and information.
 
#38
Pacman said:
Having been there, I can tell you two things:

It's not like you see on TV.

I've never felt safer in my life.
Click to expand...

Ahhh, sweet Al Asad. They had some good midnight chow lol. Anyway, I was deployed to Bagdad for all of 2006 and I can truly say that that yr was one of the best in my life. I was in the 76th Army Band orig stationed in Germany and played bass in our rock band and sousaphone in our brass band. I cant think of one full month I spent on my home base. We flew around performing concerts for the different services, even foreign military. Even the ONE time where we had to take a convoy, that was an exception. Everyones not over there kicking down doors and walking the streets. We had pool parties and other thangs lol. Trust the army isnt for everyone, but GOD I love this job. I probably would have joined the band BEFORE I got my degree if I would have known about the army band.
 
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