TubeNet

Hello All,

I just wanted to let the aspiring tubists on the list know that the United States Military Academy Band here at West Point, NY, has a vacancy in the tuba section. The deadline for applicant materials is December 12, 2005.

For more information, visit the USMA Band website (www.usma.edu/band) and click on the Vacancies link. (This information should be posted on or around October 10.)

Best Regards,

Jason D. Ham
Euphonium Soloist and Brass Clinician
Yamaha Performing Artist
Euphoniumist, The West Point Band
www.jasondham.com

I'm sorry but i don't see a tuba openning

Jeff

who's leaving?

Just thought everybody should know: the info is now up!

Also, has anyone auditioned for this group before? The website says to send a full-length photo, plus a video tape of a performance (if possible). Why would they want these things?

Dave Yeager

there is a set of physical requirements for military service.they can screen out alot of unqualified people with a photo.

Hello All...

Just wanted to chime back in here with a few answers.

First off, Tom Price is the tuba player that is leaving. Tom is a wonderful guy, and an amazing tuba player. He's been here at West Point for about 20 years, and is really ready to get out to California with his wife and family. He will be sorely missed!

Secondly, we ask for a FULL LENGTH photograph because we want someone who is alreay in pretty good physical shape. While the integrity of a candidate's musicial ability is what the audition will look for, if there's no way that that candidate can survive basic training and meet the US Army standards of physical fitness, then there's no point in having that person in a military job. Like it or not (and personally, I like having a job that keeps me in good shape...I play better that way!...plus my genetic code says I'd look otherwise outside of the Army!), this is one side of the job in any military band in the USA.

If you have additional questions about this audition, please don't hesitate to either contact me (euphoniumist@jasondham.com) or the USMA Band tuba section leader, Gerald Cates (gerald.cates@usma.edu).

Good Luck to all applicants!

Jason

Dave Y wrote: Also, has anyone auditioned for this group before? The website says to send a full-length photo, plus a video tape of a performance (if possible). Why would they want these things?

The Army does their Special Band auditions slightly differently than the other branches. The tape round is much more important in these auditions, because the Army covers all expenses for the final audition. They will fly out the finalists and put them up. Because this is a great expense, they typically invite only 5-10 people to attend the audition. So, it is crucial that all the materials you send are the best possible representation of YOU, as well as your playing.

Because the Army is paying your audition expenses, they take great measures to make sure you are qualified. If your tape is accepted, you will have to complete a physical and background check BEFORE being flown out to audition. To the best of my knowledge, the other branches complete the music audition before putting the candidates through the military portion of the process.

The full-length photo helps ensure that The West Point Band lines up candidates most likely to succeed in the audition. If they only have budget to fly out 5 people, and then three of them fail their physical and don't audition, it hurts the band's chances of getting the best player possible.

I know one guy who's been invited.

CrappyEuph wrote:I know one guy who's been invited.

If you don't mind the question...how was said person notified? Snail mail? Email? Carrier pigeon?

I was notified by phone.

JB

When is the audition?

Was a winner declared?

-kevin

congrats to my good friend nathan. nathan is a great guy and a hell of a tuba player. all of you should hear him. period.

Congrats to Nathan! I was at the audition, and all the semi-finalists there sounded absolutely wonderful!

Jeff Keller wrote:I'm sorry but i don't see a tuba openning

Jeff

I think you have to look at the top of the bell...