Strike Up the Bands

They may not fly fighter aircraft or lead a battalion into battle, but military bands are an integral part of all American service branches. Robert W. Moorman reports on these musical ambassadors.

Military bands are comprised of top-flight professional musicians, who have trained for years. Getting into any military band is tough, as military musician jobs are scarce. Recently, the USAF Band had openings for a flute and a trumpet player. Which elicited 97 and 121 applications, respectively.

“I will tell you that it is as competitive to win a job in one of the premiere military bands as it is to get into a major symphony orchestra,” said Capt. Kenneth C. Collins, Commander and Conductor of the US Navy Band, based at the Navy Yard, Washington DC. The Navy has two premiere bands: the DC band, and the other at Annapolis, Maryland, site of the US Naval Academy.

Several members of premiere military bands graduated from top music schools in the US, including the Eastman School of Music, Julliard School, New England Conservatory of Music, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music and others. Over 95% of military band members have a bachelor’s degree in a music-related field. Between 60-85% have master’s degrees and some have doctoral degrees or are working toward their PhD in music.

The selection process for all military band members and vocalists are rigorous. Positions for the premiere US Air Force Band is done through blind auditions to avoid any appearance of favoritism or bias. So careful is the selection process that a carpet is laid down so the committee cannot identify whether the applicant is male or female. The audition committee does not see the applicant until the final round.

“We take every precaution to ensure that our audition process is fair,” said Col. Don Schofield, Commander/Conductor of the US Air Force Band, based near Washington DC. “We hire based upon capabilities. We are transparent about the job and the expectations.”

Pre-pandemic, prospective military band musicians were invited to audition in person or submit audio or taped recordings of specific selections. The auditioning process varies from service to service but can take weeks as the list of candidates for the few available slots is whittled down.

On one point, there is little debate. Military musicians and vocalists must be well-rounded entertainers and self-motivated. Either musicians have the talent and drive and are willing to continue to hone their craft through training and practice, or their military musical career will be short-lived, interviews with several band-leaders revealed.

Those chosen must be diverse in their abilities to sing and play in varied musical styles, such as Classical, Pop, Jazz, Broadway, Country and Rock. All receive advanced training through ongoing rehearsals whether are not the bands are preparing for an upcoming concert.

Most military bands feature singing groups, such as the Air Force‘s Singing Sergeants, the Navy‘s Sea Chanters and Commodores, and the Army Chorus. Marine bands don’t have vocal groups but have featured soloists. Image credit: US Air Force.

Socially Distanced Performance

Most in-person concerts were cancelled during the pandemic, but there are exceptions. During the inauguration, the US Marine Band performed at the White House for President Joe Biden and guests while the US Navy Band performed at the Lincoln Memorial for Vice President Kamala Harris and guests.

Prior to the pandemic, the US Navy band gave 250-300 concerts annually, performed at 800 funerals and at other events, said Adam Grimm, Senior Chief Musician and Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8). All military bands gave hundreds of concerts prior to the coronavirus.

For the limited number of in-person concerts the past year, military bands employed virus-mitigating procedures, such as constant testing for Covid-19, separating musicians and putting plexiglas in front of some instruments. Other precautions include reducing the size of the full bands. The US Marine Band reduced the size of its concert band ensemble from 80 to 60 pieces. Band members are trained on virus-mitigating procedures.

The audiences for military bands vary, from performing for heads of state to military personnel to islanders on the Western Pacific island of Guam. Field bands serve as roving ambassadors for the US and are often provided familiarization instruction on the country and people for whom they will play.

Unlike other branches, all Navy musicians and potential conductors come in as enlisted musicians. Conductors are selected for officer training and referred to as Limited Duty Officers (LDO). Capt. Collins came in as an E-3, later promoted to musician first class (E-6) and later selected for commission in the LDO after nine years of service.

Prospective conductors in most branches must have at least a bachelor’s degree in music, pass a live audition, and qualify to become a commissioned officer. Applicants must be US citizens and under 40 years of age on the date of commissioning. Criteria to become conductors in other branches are similar. All conductors to whom MS&T spoke have advanced college degrees.

The US Navy Band’s Collins is a percussionist. The US Marine Band’s Director, Col. Jason K. Fettig, is a clarinetist. Tuba is the instrument for Schofield, while AFA’s Willen is a pianist.

Elite Assignments

Each branch of the military has their premier and field bands. The premiere bands are permanent assignments while regional members can rotate within their service.

Once chosen, all field musicians go through basic training. Example: Air Force musicians must complete an initial 8 ½-week basic training course at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Musicians selected for one of the premiere bands of all services report to duty after selection.

Those field band musicians in need of seasoning go to the US Navy School of Music at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story, Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school trains Navy and Marine band musicians. All Army field band musicians undergo a 10-week music performance course at the Army School of Music, which is co-located but not affiliated with the Navy school. Both schools offer students instruction on being military musicians. Students at both schools also learn basic military band marching techniques and movements. The school does not provide training for musicians of the Coast Guard and Air Force.

The US Marine Corps has 12 bands, including two premiere bands – the US Marine Band and the Drum and Bugle Corps. The US Marine Band, dubbed the “President’s Own” by President Thomas Jefferson, has its own internal training program. Musicians and vocalists go through a six-week training process led by the Assistant Drum Major. New hires follow the so-called “Red Book,” a manual detailing the critical components of being a Marine. Customs and courtesies, entitlements, benefits, history and traditions are taught, minus weapons and physical training that most marines undergo. Familiarization training on the types of music to be played and for whom is included.

Initial military-specific job training for the US Air Force Band is done in conjunction with the NCOIC of Ceremonial Training and other program managers, according to MSgt. Aaron J. Moats, Superintendent of Outreach for the USAF Band. Ceremonial training is an annual requirement for all band members. In time, all Air Force musicians attend professional military education courses at the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Academy and the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (SNCO). The musicians also attend military enhancement seminars, like every other Air Force airmen. Other branches have similar military-related training.

For most military bands, much of their musical training consists of numerous hours of practice on varied musical programs to be played in-person or virtually.

“We rehearse all the time,” said Lt. Col. Mike Willen, Commander of the 56-member US Air Force Academy Band based at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado. “Which is part of our musicians’ goal of mastering their craft.” Some funds in the band’s annual budget exist for private lessons, he added.

Typically, it takes at least eight years of service to become an assistant conductor and several more years before becoming a conductor of a military band. Image credit: US Air Force.

Most in-person performances by military bands these days are virtual. The AFA band live-streams concerts on local radio stations. The band also produces a full-hour holiday program that is broadcast worldwide on American Forces Network.

While performing and mastering their instrument remains their principal duty, musicians learn additional skills that enhance their worth during their military career and when they return to civilian life.

Most military musicians have additional duties for which they’re trained. These responsibilities could include working in the supply, operations planning, marketing, production and recording engineering areas, several bandleaders said. AFA band members perform 200 non-musical duties that support the mission, said Willen, who came to the military via academia.

After graduating from the University of Arizona with an undergraduate degree in music, Willen went to Northwestern University for his Masters. He taught high school music for three years, became a college instructor, then joined the Air Force. Prior to his current post, Willen was commander of the Air Force Band of Mid-America, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

Most premiere band members stay for their entire careers. Once retired, they’ve got numerous opportunities that extend beyond music. “I have seen personnel leave to teach college or go into managing companies,” said Schofield. “There is a wide range of options.”

To Serve, To Honor

Military musicians state unequivocally they joined to serve their country and be part of something more important than just finding a steady gig for an occupation that is anything but secure in the civilian world. A few conductors shared noteworthy performance experiences that exemplify the communicative and restorative power of music.

Col. Schofield, a 23-year veteran, recalled one experience while performing with the Air Forces in Europe Band in Eastern Ukraine near the Russian border. Following the performance, the band agreed to meet and answer questions from local residents. One serious-looking concertgoer, a former Soviet soldier, approached Schofield and said through an interpreter: “I do not like the US, but I like you [the band],” remembered Schofield. “I thought this was a good example of a way of bridging cultural differences through music. It was a very powerful interaction we had.”

Fettig, the 28th Director of the US Marine Band, recalled one of his more memorable experiences during a White House event at which then-President George W. Bush gave the Medal of Freedom award to Harper Lee, author of the timeless novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. To honor the author, Col. Fettig assembled a medley of songs by composer Elmer Bernstein from the movie version starring Gregory Peck. The plan was to wait until the author arrived in the ballroom before playing the tribute. Hours passed and no Lee. As the festivities wound down, Fettig told band members to play on. Perhaps some in the audience would enjoy the music.

Moments after the band began the tribute, Harper Lee came flying out of the state dining room in her wheelchair “at about a 100 miles per hour, and rolled up next to my podium,” recalled Fettig. “She listened to the suite of music and became very emotional. She stood up briefly, gave me a hug and left the White House. It was a moment to remember.”

Military musicians may not achieve the potential notoriety or compensation of their civilian counterparts. But, in addition to maintaining job security, serving their country and continuing to polish their craft for free, they get to do what they love. “And that’s not a bad deal,” said one musician.

Army Strong

The US Army has more bands, 88, than any other branch. Among them: 20 active-duty Regional Bands, 13 Army Reserve Bands, 51 Army National Guard Bands and four Premiere Bands, including the 99-year-old US Army Band and 200-plus-year-old West Point Band.

There are nine official performing ensembles in the US Army Band, including the US Army Concert Band, the US Army Ceremonial Band, the US Army Chorus, the US Army Strings, among others.

Founded in 1922, the US Army Band, is referred to as “Pershing’s Own,” after General of the Armies John J. Pershing, Army Chief of Staff during the 1920s.

All applicants interested in auditioning for a US Army Band vacancy must submit a resume and a full-length photograph. Military applicants must also submit an Enlisted Records Brief (ERB) or equivalent plus a Commander’s letter of intent. Some vacancies require the submission of a CD.

MS&T posed a few questions to Col. Andrew J. Esch, Commander of the US Army Band headquartered at Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia, near Arlington National Cemetery.

MS&T: How important is a college education from a noted musical school for Army (or any military) musicians as well as prospective assistant conductors and commanders/ conductors?
Col. Esch: Certainly, superb musical training is key, but musicians can and do gain experience and training in a variety of ways from a variety of sources. While getting a degree from a noted music school should be helpful, what matters in the end is how well they can demonstrate and apply mature musical knowledge, skills, and leadership.

MS&T: Is there recurrent and/or advanced training offered for Army musicians and vocalists?
Col. Esch: The Army music program is two-tiered. There are four Special Bands that seek to recruit and enlist the very finest musicians. Because of their advanced skills, they’re exempted from normal military training requirements and stabilized in their assignments. Soldiers at the remaining [field] bands must also pass an audition, but attend initial training and periodic professional military education similar to that of other specialties at the Army School of Music.

MS&T: Other band commanders/conductors tell us that most in-person concerts have been tabled until the virus passes. Is the US Army Band performing for audiences virtually?
Col. Esch: Shortly after the lockdown, Pershing's Own shifted its focus to performances in the digital space, all conducted in a safe, socially distanced, and CDC-compliant [Centers for Disease Control] way. Using small groups of musicians, we began broadcasting live from our performance and rehearsal facility on Fort Myer. We were fortunate to have some video infrastructure in place prior to the pandemic.

The series began simply as live concerts broadcast on Facebook and YouTube. Over time, we added more production capabilities that enable us to create more high-quality content. The goal remains similar to our public outreach mission prior to the pandemic: to engage the public (now online) and let them know that the US Army is always here, always ready. We've produced hundreds of short videos posted to our Facebook page and YouTube channel, and several highly creative longer performances that highlight themes and messages important to the Army.

MS&T: Do most of your musicians make a career of the Army?
Col. Esch: In the Special Bands, retention is very high with the majority of musicians staying to retirement.

MS&T: Is it possible for field band musicians to elevate to one of the premiere bands? 
Col. Esch: Absolutely. Selection for the premier bands is a result of a rigorous audition and the winner must qualify for enlistment in the US Army. Competition is fierce, but members of other Army bands frequently do well in the auditions because they are seasoned professionals.

MS&T: What is your advice to those applicants seeking a career as an Army musician?
Col. Esch: These are very competitive positions. The musicians do meaningful and rewarding work and are highly sought after. We’re not just looking for the best musicians, but the right people for the job. Applicants should know and understand what the mission is and then be technically prepared.