| military bands and basic
Yes, Liesl Whitaker went through Basic Training. So did I, Tom Williams (if you haven't heard him play, you're missing out), and all of the guys in the Airmen of Note and the Commodores (not Lionel Ritchie, the Navy's jazz band).
Remember this about the premier bands. They hold open auditions for their spots. What this means for those joining the military to be musicians is that you will not be assigned to a premier band. You may audition for one when there is an opening.
If you join the military to be a musician, you go through Basic Training, then to your AIT (Advanced Individual Training, which is the Navy School of Music). Following your completion of the School of Music, you may or may not have a say in your first assignment. Then you are assigned to a band somewhere in the world for a specified length of time. As TrickG noted, duties at specific assignments vary widely.
Lastly, when speaking with recruiters on these subjects, be very careful to double check that what they are telling you is completely accurate. If they promise you a certain assignment after Basic, get it in writing from the Commanding Officer at the aforementioned assignment, or it's an empty promise.
I spent 4 years playing Lead Trumpet with the US Army Field Band's Jazz Ambassadors. Although it wasn't someplace that I wanted to make a career, I did literally travel the world. Europe (including performances at the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals), India (76 performances in 33 days!), and of course, all over the United States.
Joey Tartell |