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The United States Navy is excited to announce that representatives of the Navy Music Program will be at the 2010 ITEC conference, conducting auditions for 7 or more tuba openings in U.S. Navy Bands around the world. Conference host Dr. Kelly Thomas and ITEA president David Zerkel have graciously allowed us to come and offer this opportunity to audition qualified applicants. We will be at the conference starting Monday night, May 24th. We will conduct as many auditions as possible on Tuesday, May 25th, and more if needed on the morning of the 26th.

A “qualified” applicant is one who has passed the requirements to be approved for military service. Contact a Navy Recruiter in your area, and ask him or her to “qualify you for military service”. You will have to be administratively/medically screened, and also take the ASVAB (Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery). Please, do not confuse this with actually ‘signing up’ or promising any type of commitment to the Navy. Getting pre-screened is not mandatory in order to audition but it will help facilitate a smooth application process should you decide to give the Navy a try. It can be very disappointing for you and for us if you are found to be ‘musically’ qualified only to discover later that you are not approved for military service.

As a professional military musician, I can tell you that I have one of the best jobs out there! In the Navy Music Program, your primary and only job is as a musician. You will only work in Navy Bands. Also, the quality of our instruments has never been higher. We recently purchased 12 brand new B&S PT-6 PS CC tubas and 9 Mirafone 1291 BBb tubas. Our newest sousaphones are all Conn 20ks. The medical and dental benefits for you and any of your dependents are also outstanding.

If you or someone you know is interested in auditioning for us at the conference, please call or have them call at (619) 545-6641, or email MU1 Kurt C. Zeigler (kurt.zeigler@navy.mil" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank). We are not limited to auditioning tubists only. There is also an opening for euphonium, as well as for other instruments.

If you would like to learn more about our audition process, please visit:

http://www.npc.navy.mil/CommandSupport/ ... efault.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

If you would like to learn more about Navy Bands, please visit:

https://www.cnic.navy.mil/cnrsw/NavyBand/index.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

If you would like to learn more about the US Navy in general, please visit:

http://www.navy.mil/" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

If you have any questions, please respond to this post, or feel free to email or call.

Kurt C. Zeigler

Tubist/Audition Supervisor, Navy Band Southwest

I don't have a horse in this race, but I did spend my time in four Army Bands many years ago, and have had several friends and students take the route of military music. If you would like to play for a living, but are not in the same league with Alan Baer, I would encourage you to consider this. The lifestyle and benefits are very good, and the opportunities to play at a high level and expand your experiences and knowledge are greater than you might have anywhere else after college.

There is another unspoken benefit that only a veteran can understand: if you do not serve in the military, you will never know what you missed. But if you do, then years later, you will regard those years proudly as among the most important in your life.

I was told that by a commanding officer, about as old as I am now. I didn't believe it either, but he was right.

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to let everyone know that I am currently a Navy tuba player aka MU. I am finishing up A school and I will be headed to japan in May. If anyone has any questions about the audition process, Navy Music program, talking to recuters and boot camp please feel free to pm me. I just want to say that since I have joined the navy as a tuba player I have never looked back.Its a great job and I love every seccond of it.
Thanks
Zach

Zach,
Thanks for the post! Good luck to you at Seventh Fleet Band. I am currently serving with several ex Seventh Fleeters, and I can tell you, they all have some great sea stories! Good luck at the school, and have fun overseas!
Kurt

I'm currently the euphonium player at the PACFLT Band in Hawaii, it's a great job! And now for you euphonium players there is no longer a trombone doubling requirement which might be favorable to some! I thought we had more euphonium jobs open than one, but I haven't read the most recent "Program Notes"

Thanks Kurt will do.
Zach

tubazach07 wrote:Thanks Kurt will do.
Zach

Give me back my filet-o-fish. Hahahaha, Zach

Current MUSN in Navy Band Southeast in Jacksonville, FL. Great job, great musicians to work with, and great benefits, all with the pride and knowledge that you are serving your country. There are a bunch of Navy musicians on this site, some of us brand new (like me) and some much more experienced that can answer any and all questions you have! All you have to do is ask!

Just a friendly reminder that this is rapidly approaching. I auditioned mid-april at Great Lakes Naval Base. For those that can't attend ITEC, the fine people there made the entire experience so smooth. I ship for basic on June 21st. So if you have ANY questions about the process or what I went through, please let me know. I would love to help.

Jeff,
Glad to hear your Navy audition experience went well. I just want to remind everyone who will be at ITEC to come and see MUC Oliver and myself if you get a chance. We would love to answer any questions you may have, and we still have some audition times available. Even if you have not been to a recruiter, and would like to play for us, stop and see us, and we will try to work it out. We will have a US Navy Recruiter on hand to answer any questions you may have. We would like to thank in advance the ITEA for letting us be a part of ITEC 2010.

Kurt

One more time !
If you are going to be at ITEC and would like to audition for the Navy, even if you have not been screened by a recruiter, come and talk to us. I have times available on tuesday afternoon and wednesday morning. If you are thinking about it, please bring a copy of a prepared solo, and play your best! We will have a Navy Recruiter on hand to facilitate processing and answer questions about the USN. We can also discuss with you the possibilty of auditioning at a Navy band that is closer to your home, after the conference. MUC Oliver and I will be floating around at the performances, exhibits, and recitals. Feel free to approach either of us and ask questions.

See you all at the conference, and best of luck to all of you competing and performing!

Kurt