Music in the military: it's about influence

American Music Teacher, Dec, 2004 by Lowell E. Graham

* Concert Band: performs concert, patriotic and popular entertainment music for civic events and concerts, as well as educational concerts, at the high school, college and university levels

* Marching or Ceremonial Band: performs for military ceremonies, parades and civic events

* Jazz/Show Band: performs music ranging from big band, dance and jazz orchestras for colleges, civic concerts and festivals

* Popular Music Ensemble: performs a variety of popular music to include rock, Top 40, country and "oldies" for recruiting, community concerts and authorized official functions

* Chamber Ensemble: performs a variety of music using a small instrumentation in concert settings for both military and civilian audiences

* Protocol Combo: performs background, dinner and dance music for official military social functions

* Individual Musicians: buglers for funerals, solo vocalists, pianists or other instrumentalists perform for official functions or ceremonies

PERFORMANCES

With each of these ensembles, one must think "opportunity." As a member of any band, one has the opportunity to participate in two or more ensembles that represent the military to the American public. Many of these events are national in scope. Over the past few years a member of one of the USAF Bands or ensembles might have participated in the following:

* The Singing Sergeants performing on the David Letterman holiday show

* The Singing Sergeants performing the National Anthem at the 2003 Fiesta Bowl

* Airmen of Note and High Flight from the USAF Band deploying to the Middle East in support of U.S. troops stationed there

* A performance of combined air force bands at the Japanese Military Band Festival at the Budokan Theater

* Celebrating 100 years of manned flight with an original musical "Born of a Dream" by the USAF Band

* The Band of the USAF Reserve performing for deployed troops during the holidays with Operations Seasons Greetings--with guest artists

* An annual performance by USAF Band's Ceremonial Brass on the Today Show on July 4

* A combined active duty and Air National Guard band leading the 2003 Tournament of Roses Parade

* Performing with the USAF Band, the American Bandmasters Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and National Band Association and numerous state conventions

* Performing for the U.S. presidential inauguration

Each of the USAF Bands has a distinguished story to tell that carries great history and tradition. As a career field of professional musicians, the USAF offers about 900 positions (jobs). These are coveted positions in the music industry. As with any business, positions open when a vacancy is created through retirements after a minimum of twenty years of service or separations following an enlistment (usually four years). Below are a few statistics regarding retention for Fiscal Year 2002. "First Term" applies to the first four-year commitment for the enlisted force; "Second Term" applies to those enlisted members in their second four-year commitment; "Career" applies to those from the eight-year point to twenty years.