> [quote]> If you have corrections please let me know, all that I know about
> the> Coasty recruit band was passed on to me by my son. Also, are there> any
> full time members of the band? Do the other services> have recruit bands?>
> [/quote]
Sorry for the late response; I've been out of town. The Air Force uses a
recruit band, or did 10+ years ago. A friend of mine (now principal tuba for
the DC USAF band) was telling me about it after he graduated. Instead of doing
KP, the members of a "flight" that could play an instrument got one hour each
day to rehearse (he actually got to bring his own mouthpiece to recruit
training). This was one of the selling point for his enlistment. I went to
Paris Island for 12 weeks, took 10 days off and then went to MCT for three
weeks; in other words, I had to take 4 months off playing. Three days after I
reported to my unit (I did not have to go to the School of Mucus), I had to
play an audition for the unit's D.C. report. Historically, members of the
President's Own did go through Marine basic training, but this changed during
modern times (anyone ever watch Full Metal Jacket? Would you take your chops
there during the 50's and 60's?). The afore-mentioned (and apparently reviled
by some) J. P. Sousa was originally enlisted by his father around age thirteen
for service with the Marine Band and later came back to command the group.
In response to someone's complaint, I have personally witnessed the President's
Own premiere (as in world premiere) music that is both rhythmically complex and
tonaly modern. I also have access to recordings of Stravinsky, Schoenberg, G.
Jacob, N. Maw, F. Schmitt, and T. Keuris by their fine musical institution. As
a composer, I have had my works rejected by some big names; one of my pieces
rejected by one group ("your work is more serious than the light fare we had
planned to perform." I wish they had told me they were looking for light
pieces before I spent three days writing it!) will receive its world premiere
as part of a Carnegie Grant three weeks from now. One door closes, and another
one opens. Of course, as any one who has taken auditions will tell you, that
is the real world. Whining does not make it any better or easier (which is
great lesson the Marine Corps teaches you: How do you eat a s#!t sandwich? One
bite at a time).
Respectfully Submitted,
Scott Young_______________________________________________
post: horn@music.memphis.edu
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