A Blue (Grass) Navy Band.

Hello all!  Rachel did a pretty cool presentation on Wednesday.  I liked the whole concept of contemporary music.  I often wonder who is premiering these works and who is writing them.  I wonder if there is one brass ensemble out there dedicated to new music.  I also liked how the presentation ended with some funk/jazz music.  Although those groups aren't considered "traditional" I think their musicianship is great.  It's also fun to grove to.

For this week I'll be sharing a few things about the Navy Band.  The United States Navy Band is the premier musical organization of the the U.S. Navy.  It is comprised of six performing groups as well as many chamber ensembles.  The performing groups include:

Concert Band
Ceremonial Band
Sea Chanters
Commodores
Country Current
Cruisers
Chamber Ensembles

The Concert Band and the Ceremonial Band both play patriotic music like marches and wind ensemble literature.  But what is really interesting is the Country Current group.  It is a country/blue grass group.  They tour the country to recruit for the Navy by spreading music throughout the nation.  I had no idea that the Navy had this type of ensemble.  You learn something new everyday...

There are lots of interesting things about the Navy Band HERE.  Check it out!

Military Career Info. Condensed

Hello all,

Tonia did a great presentation today.  I thought it was good to start off with something that we all know and love.  The variety was great too and I enjoyed the presentation.  I found a three or four page pamphlet in MWIB the other day detailing the career information about the Presidents Own Marine Band.  There is quite a bit of information so I'll just get down to the nitty gritty.  

Musical Requirements:

No specific level is needed, but most members hold college degrees and some hold advances degrees.  

Qualifications: 

Be a U.S. citizen

Renounce foreign citizenship if candidate has both 

Maximum age of 28

Pass the ASVAB

Comply with heath and weight standards 

No arrests or felonies 

No involvement with the law even as a juvenile 

No DWI/DUI 

No illegal drug use 

No moving/parking fines over $200

This info also details the rate of pay with and without dependents: 

Without dependents 

Basic pay: 2,281.20 

BAH 1689.00 

PRO/SEP RATION 325.04 

______________________

Total monthly  4295.24

With dependents 

Basic pay: 2281.20

BAH 2217.00

PRO/ SEP RATION 325.04

_______________________

Total monthly 4823.24

On average a member makes 6,000 more per year.  That's quite a bit.  I think it's time to get married! 

Furthermore, there are benefits, a savings plan, vacation time and educational assistance.  More about that next time.  I'll let you digest these figures and qualifications first.  

Stevie Wonder gets down with the Air Force. Do you?

Hello again!  Check out this video I found of the Hot Brass.  Being from the South, (yes, capital S) I love this kid's accent.  I seriously didn't know that the Air Force could (or would) get down like that.  Enjoy!

A Funk band in the Military?? Who knew!

Hello all!  I'm back to blog.  I thought Nate did a great first presentation on his listening project.  Maybe I should have known this, but it was pretty cool to find out that John Aley, professor of trumpet at UW-Madison, was in the American Brass Quintet.  That is pretty serious.  I definitely enjoyed the presentation and cannot wait to bring some cool stuff to the table like Nate did.

Adam Stevens suggested I look up the Hot Brass so I did.  Thanks, Adam.  It is apart of the USAF Band and they do stuff like funk, jazz and blues styles.  They also do outreach concerts around the world.  I always thought that the USAF Band was about marches, classical music, and more marching.  However, it's way cool that they also do jazz.  I guess it's another way to promote the military and patriotism using American music.  Since I want to be in the Air Force, I'd better work on my jazz chops if I ever wanna hang with these guys.  Check them out here!  Look up Hot Brass and you'll learn all about them.

Sorry all!  That last blog was a mess!  Try highlighting the text to see what it says.  There is also a link to check out!  Again, my apologies.  Still getting used to this blogging thing, ya'll!

US Army band

Hello all!  I have to admit that blogging is a task that I must stay on top of everyday it seems.  But that's okay because when it comes to military bands there is never a shortage of topics.  I thought I'd start by talking about the Army Band.  I have a few friends who joined this group and they are outstanding.  Here is a little blurb  from the Army Band website:

"Dating back over 230 years to the Revolutionary War, musicians have served a vital role in the Army by upholding tradition, entertaining our Soldiers, and serving as musical ambassadors of our nation. Today, the US Army is the oldest and largest employer of musicians in the world. With assignments around the world and a long list of benefits, the Army Bands Program offers talented musicians a unique opportunity to do what they do best — play music." 


The website is actually pretty cool.  They've got all you need to know eligibility requirements, auditions and benefits.  Read on Here to see more about what it takes to be in the Army Band.  

A German Brass Quintet

Hey all!  Still getting used to this blogging thing.  It sounds like a snap though.  I've already started following some people in class and I'm interested to see what comes up.  Today in class we talked about the history of brass quintets.  I definitely perked up with Prof. Manning talked about bands being used in war.  I'm thinking, "No way." But it made more sense when he said that they were used for calls and cadences.  Pretty sad about those guys though, being the first to die and all.  Geez... But let's not end on a sad note!  I've got a really hot BQ to talk about.  The Elbebech Brass Quintet is a German group.  I stumbled upon a recording of Quinetto Lirico they did and was blown away.  From the website they don't seem to have a lot of activity in the past year, but I think they're still worth checking out.  Make sure you translate the page.  Here is the link: Elbebech Brass   The last CD they put out in 2009 is called As Good As Bach.  It's got some great press--I'll have to check this one out.