Re: Re: Re: Re: Service Bands


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Posted by Sean Chisham on July 18, 2000 at 20:34:53:

In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Service Bands posted by John Cradler on July 18, 2000 at 19:45:34:

Yup. The tuba world is a mighty small one and reputations also matter much. If you are active in the musical community and brush elbows with potential future co-workers at conferences and the such, try not to make an #$% of yourself. People will remember and rumors are easily started. Ask me some time about the time John stripped naked at an after conference party and started to do body painting with the guacamole dip. Just kidding.

If someone knows nothing of you, then their first impression is going to be your reputation with them for the rest of the audition. The first notes they hear from you form their opinions on your tone quality. You first solo establishes your audition reputation for musical interpretation and technique. The first time they see you or hear you speak is how they start to form impressions of you as a potential co-worker.

It has been said a million times, but is still true. If I were on your audition committee and had a strong impression that you were going to be an absolute turd to interact with for a possible 20+ years, then I would be very hesitant to give you consideration. This is regardless of whether or not you were the musical reincarnation of Dennis Brain.

These jobs are filled by human beings who work with other human beings. We are not musical machines which are powered up and marched around Arlington National Cemetery for 4 hours a day. We interact with each other socially. Imagine the most annoying and difficult person you had the not so pleasureable experience to work with at college. (S)he was out of your life most likely once you had completed college. Now imagine that same person standing next to you, in your section, for 5 trips through a bachelor's degree.

The service bands are also primarily a public relations tool for the US military. Public relations, as witnessed on CNN every day, has as much, if not more, to do with appearance than it does with content. That is why our shoes are shiny, our uniforms are pressed, and we address civilians as sir and mamm. It is honorable and political all at the same time.

Here is a good snippet from the President's Own page;



From the earliest days of our nation, music has been part of life in the White House and an element of international diplomacy. It has allowed us to celebrate, to mourn, to honor, and to remember.



Here is one from the US Air Force Band page;



The United States Air Force Band conceived and pioneered the concept that a musical organization can be a nation's most effective goodwill ambassador.



Moral of the story. Be a nice person. Be an excellent musician. Leave a good impression.

sean



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