Posted by Sean Chisham on April 23, 2002 at 13:26:47:
In Reply to: Air Force Band Audition posted by John on April 23, 2002 at 12:39:30:
If that is true, I would say that is probably a very, very smart thing to do on the audition. I AM NOT SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE US ARMY BAND, but I would think that would be a good thing for any fulltime Sousaphone auditionee to have to do. Auditioning for a ceremonial spot on CC tuba and F tuba, playing band tunes and recital quality solos can give some people visions of grandeur. Making the auditionee face the reality of the job as being nearly 100% Sousaphone will better instill what the job is really about. I am not saying that people are deceptive in other audition methods, but this seems like a particularly outfront, honest approach.
When I auditioned for my job, SGM Tilbury was clear in that it was a marching band position. He stated that point at the audition several times to the canidates. But hearing it in words at the audition and wrapping a Sousaphone around your body and playing some marches at the audition are two different things.
Kuddos to whoever in the Air Force Band came up with that idea!
sean