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The Navy Music Program includes 11 active duty fleet bands and two preferentially-staffed bands, all featuring professional musicians from around our nation. Each band operates within its own geographic area of responsibility, representing the U.S. Navy around the globe.

As a Navy Musician you will work alongside superior musicians performing a myriad of musical styles in a wide variety of ensembles for audiences all over the world. Performance opportunities include the most current wind ensemble literature to traditional Sousa marches, chamber music of all kinds, Top 40, jazz, and R&B.

STARTING SALARY $37,087 - $59,647
- 30 DAYS PAID VACATION YEARLY
- FULL MILITARY BENEFITS
- COLLEGE LOAN REPAYMENT (UP TO $65,000)
- POST 9/11 G.I. BILL
- WIDE VARIETY OF CAREER AND PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES
To schedule an audition, contact the Navy Music Program Audition Coordinator:
Phone: 901-874-4316
E-mail: Mill_NavyMusic@navy.mil" target="_blank
For more information, visit the Navy Music Program website:
http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/s ... ault1.aspx" target="_blank

I would like to say a few things about the program. I have been in it for about 8 years now and I have definitely found some of the pros and cons. I find that the cons are only cons if you let them be. For example, musical satisfaction can be tough to get because of the gigs required of all of us. You can make that work for you by realizing that you will have plenty of time to gig out in town or maintain your sanity away from Sousa in any way you see fit. There will be times throughout your career where you will see your ax less and less. Again you have to want to play to maintain the level you were when you joined.

The pros:
As a euphonium player (and bass trombone doubler) I have managed to step outside of my comfort zone by playing styles I never thought I would. Here in Italy, I could go from a military ceremony playing Sousa, to grabbing my King 3b the next day and playing Brooklyn with our brass band, to grabbing my bass bone for the wind ensemble. and ending the week running a sectional for our big band. The opportunity for growth is out there but you have to want it. Having a steady pay check always helps too and the military is a great way to earn that. Also, over the last several years, I have noticed a huge improvement to the level of musician we are currently getting. Everybody helps out everybody in that aspect. For the most part rank does not have any bearing to your musicianship. Of course there are always those bad seeds that will correlate rank and musicianship, but the majority of us don't care. I you are a badass then you are a badass.

As far as for tuba players, let me be the first to say that I honestly believe that the tuba section in this program is by far the most talented. I have seen over a dozen tubists in my years and I have yet to meet one that wasn't good. For euphonium players, let me say this; you can play in the military, or you can strap on a set of leiderhosen and play polka all day at Busch Gardens. I've done both and my vote is the Navy.

Thanks Willie! I love you, too.

In all seriousness, if anyone is interested and wants to ask any questions "off the cuff", shoot me or Willie (wooliteuph) a private message. I know that we would be more than willing to answer to the best of our ability.

Cheers,

Jeff