MU-MUSICIAN ???

Soccer_cat · 07-22-2012, 10:44 AM

Thanks for the info! I play clarinet & saxophone. Hopefully I'll make it. Setting up an audition this week. I wonder how long the wait is for either of those? With the downsizing of the military it may take a while!

llamayamaa · 07-22-2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soccer_cat

Thanks for the info! I play clarinet & saxophone. Hopefully I'll make it. Setting up an audition this week. I wonder how long the wait is for either of those? With the downsizing of the military it may take a while!

I have no idea about the demand for clarinet/saxophone, but I would be willing to bet your wait will be shorter than mine since there are twice as many of those instruments per band than flutes (there are only 1-2 flute positions per band).

About the downsizing: the Navy actually has a pretty good size music program with 9 CONUS bands, 2 international, and 2 preferentially staffed bands (it was the Air Force that just underwent major budget cuts to their music program). With the Navy's recent change in doubling requirements --you don't have to be able to play multiple instruments-- I think some high quality musicians are going to be making their way to audition (that is not to say musicianship isn't already high...).

I'm curious- do you have a Bachelor degree in music already? Because you will be vying with other musicians who have a Bachelors, some even Masters.

Good luck with the audition! Let me know if you have any questions about the audition day/process.

Soccer_cat · 07-24-2012, 08:29 PM

Thanks for the great info! I have two years of college as a music major. We'll see! Gotta practice a lot!
It sounds like a dream job!

Laworlo · 08-14-2012, 08:26 PM

Interestingly enough, the Navy band that I saw that opened for REO Speedwagon, was a rock band. Electric guitar, drums, bass, keyboards and rhythm guitar. No wind ensemble instruments.

LT Guppy · 08-14-2012, 08:35 PM

I don't know much about the program. But I spent 6 months working across the street from the School of Music. Always nice to hear the outdoor rehearsals

llamayamaa · 08-15-2012, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laworlo

Interestingly enough, the Navy band that I saw that opened for REO Speedwagon, was a rock band. Electric guitar, drums, bass, keyboards and rhythm guitar. No wind ensemble instruments.

Each unit performs as a concert band (the sit down ensemble you would go see at a performance venue/hall) and a ceremonial band (marching parades and that sort of thing). From there, a unit also branches off into rock band, jazz/swing band, woodwind quintet, brass quintet, etc. So one unit has multiple ensembles.

F/S-MARodriguez · 08-15-2012, 07:24 AM

I thought MU was a reservist thing only?

llamayamaa · 08-15-2012, 09:03 AM

Nope, it's very much active duty. MUs go through the same basic training as everyone else. But our entrance process is just a little different. Most people are trained in A school to do their assigned job; we have to pretty much be proficient at our job to pass the audition and be offered a position. As far as I can tell, the biggest difference for MUs is we don't spend as much time on ships, if any at all. I believe the band stationed in Pearl Harbor does most of the tours, and they tend to assign singles with no dependents to that duty.

07-22-2012, 10:44 AM	#1
Soccer_cat Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 26 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the info! I play clarinet & saxophone. Hopefully I'll make it. Setting up an audition this week. I wonder how long the wait is for either of those? With the downsizing of the military it may take a while!

07-24-2012, 08:29 PM	#3
Soccer_cat Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 26 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the great info! I have two years of college as a music major. We'll see! Gotta practice a lot! It sounds like a dream job!

08-14-2012, 08:26 PM	#4
Laworlo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 322 Rep Power: 0	Interestingly enough, the Navy band that I saw that opened for REO Speedwagon, was a rock band. Electric guitar, drums, bass, keyboards and rhythm guitar. No wind ensemble instruments.

08-14-2012, 08:35 PM	#5
LT Guppy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,858 Rep Power: 0	I don't know much about the program. But I spent 6 months working across the street from the School of Music. Always nice to hear the outdoor rehearsals

08-15-2012, 07:24 AM	#7
F/S-MARodriguez Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 124 Rep Power: 0	I thought MU was a reservist thing only?

08-15-2012, 09:03 AM	#8
llamayamaa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Italy Posts: 166 Rep Power: 0	Nope, it's very much active duty. MUs go through the same basic training as everyone else. But our entrance process is just a little different. Most people are trained in A school to do their assigned job; we have to pretty much be proficient at our job to pass the audition and be offered a position. As far as I can tell, the biggest difference for MUs is we don't spend as much time on ships, if any at all. I believe the band stationed in Pearl Harbor does most of the tours, and they tend to assign singles with no dependents to that duty.