| You have likely seen the US Army band "Pershing's | | | | requirement must be met: |
| Own" at various occasions or playing taps, the | | | | * Prepare selections from each of the following: |
| beautiful and stirring music played as a final tribute to | | | | swing, pop/rock, ballad and Latin and classical |
| fallen soldiers. Started in 1922, the US Army Band has | | | | (optional). This is valued at 40 percent. |
| played a significant role in major US events and | | | | * Sight read representative literature and chord |
| happenings. | | | | changes, for another 50 percent |
| The band plays at the White House and events such | | | | * Play major scales with arpeggios, three octaves, |
| as the visit of a leader of a foreign country. The | | | | memorized, use both hands for 10 percent. |
| band also performs on official occasions as the need | | | | * Should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the |
| arises. The main mission of the Army band is to | | | | following chords: Maj 7, Min 7, Dom 7 and the ii-V7-I |
| provide "musical support to the US troops both at | | | | chord progression. |
| home and abroad as well as for the citizens of the | | | | In order to be accepted, you have to audition with a |
| USA." | | | | specific instrument. You must be able to play one or |
| There are four special army bands that have the | | | | more of the following: |
| honor of performing at special functions. These are | | | | * Bassoon |
| Pershing's Own, Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, US | | | | * Clarinet |
| Army Field Band and US Military Academy Band. | | | | * Electric bass |
| These special units are comprised of the best | | | | * Electric guitar |
| musicians in the US Army. | | | | * Euphonium |
| There are several other musical units in the US Army | | | | * Flute |
| Band. The jazz group called the US Army Blues plays | | | | * French horn |
| original American jazz music. The US Army Chorus is | | | | * Keyboard |
| an all-male group, which as the name suggests, is the | | | | * Percussion |
| vocalist arm of the band. Other support units within | | | | * Saxophone |
| the main band are the Brass Quintet, Rock and Pop | | | | * Trombone |
| Band, and Stage Band. | | | | * Trumpet |
| How to Join the Band | | | | * Tuba |
| Before being accepted into the US Army Band, you | | | | According to Jeremiah Keillor, Director of the Fort |
| have to meet regular army enlistment requirements. | | | | Knox's 113th Army Band known as the Dragoons, |
| As such, if you are considering joining the US Army | | | | "Band soldiers come in at a higher rank as part of the |
| Band, get in touch with the recruiting office in your | | | | Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program." The reason for |
| area. Once you meet the standard enlistment criteria, | | | | obtaining a higher ranking when you join the U.S. |
| you will need to audition. Only proficient musicians are | | | | Army Band is to acknowledge your years of training |
| accepted. So what does being proficient mean? You | | | | and experience in music. |
| must sight read music and have an understanding of | | | | Once a musician is accepted into the US Army Band, |
| scales, tone, rhythm and other related areas. The | | | | they are required to learn the basics of being a |
| audition is generally administered by a band recruiting | | | | soldier in the US Army. This means that they have to |
| officer or a band commander. | | | | complete a total of nine weeks of Basic Compact |
| The US Army website provides valuable information | | | | Training. |
| on what's expected in your audition based on your | | | | There are 30 U.S army bands spread across the USA |
| musical instrument of choice. For instance, to pass | | | | and internationally. So, do you have what it takes to |
| the audition for the keyboard, the following | | | | play in the US Army Band? |