Military musicians, do you play your own tuba or gov. horn?

chhite · Post by **chhite** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 2:21 am

This started out as a quick explination but quickly turned long and lecture-like. Anyway, here goes.

A band's property is drawn from several different lists and the two that concern instruments are the MTOE (required items) and the CTA (optional items). The BBb tubas are listed on the MTOE and the Cs, Ebs, and Fs are on the CTA list, with the BBb numbers being higher. If a band has more CC players than BBb, they may be able to sustitute a CC for a BBb on their property book, giving them the proper number of "required" instruments. This allows for a band to be better equipped to provide a variety of instruments to fit most of their players.

Section leaders should seek out their supply personnel and get a list of the dates that the tubas were added to their property books. This will give an idea of the life cycle of the instruments and if/when they can be replaced. If the instrument is approaching the end of their life cycle and it is still in good condition, or good enough to overhaul, why not keep it on the books if it continues to serve the unit and its players? If it's not doing the job or has been broken more times than serviceable, try and get rid of it and purchase equipment that will last under institutional-style conditions. And buy a durable flight case in addition to the light-duty case that often times comes with the horn.

What I'm advocating isn't new. Purchase good equipment, protect and maintain it. Get a good life-cycle replacement plan in place for all instruments. Seek out good repair techs that can assist the unit in a long-term capacity so that instruments last longer and they know the history of each horn and can advise if the property should be replaced. Remember, we are all paying taxes to support the purchase of quality instruments, so military section leaders and purchasers, try to do it right the first time and protect a potentially dwindling resource.

It's great to stock a band with top-level instruments and heartbreaking to see others that can't get rid of aged and broken equipment and can't properly perform their missions. Get a plan and work on putting it in place. It won't happen overnight but it may start the ball rolling.

tubadoctor · Post by **tubadoctor** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 9:31 am

[quote="Badgley"]

Finally, no, none of the NCO's yell at you for carrying your horn incorrectly in the halls of the school

Actually, I'm pretty sure that crusty old sunnuvabitch tuba instructor mentioned you horn carrying technique a few times, didn't he? hehe... I hope life is treatin you well out there... Headed to West Point in 2 weeks!

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:00 pm

Musicians who go to West Point aren't officers. They are rank-and-file special bandsmen, the same as the instructors at the school. It's a lateral shift, not a promotion if they send them there.

greatk82 · Post by **greatk82** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 2:12 pm

tubadoctor wrote:
Badgley wrote:
Finally, no, none of the NCO's yell at you for carrying your horn incorrectly in the halls of the school

Actually, I'm pretty sure that crusty old sunnuvabitch tuba instructor mentioned you horn carrying technique a few times, didn't he? hehe... I hope life is treatin you well out there... Headed to West Point in 2 weeks!

Just crusty and old, I have so much more to add...4 days and a wake up 'til I am gone.
I think you wouldn't look nearly as old or crusty on this.

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:33 am

I checked with the School of Music website and so much has changed since I went through there 28 years ago.

1. They now have drill sergeants.
2. The Coke machines in the Scott Hall lobbies (barracks day rooms) no longer sell beer.
3. Bivouac is now part of the course.
4. There are now classes in military training on a regular basis.
5. Students must qualify on M-16 rifles during the course.
6. Students are not allowed to wear civilian clothes until certain criteria are met.
7. Students are not allowed to drive their own cars (POVs) until certain criteria are met.
8. Physical training tests must be passed before graduation.
9. There is now one MOS (Military Occupational Specialty number) for all Regular Army Bandsmen: 42R. Tuba players used to be 02F [oh-two-foxtrot] and, if I remember correctly, euphonium players were 02E [oh-two-echo]. Special Bandsmen are now 42S. They used to be 02S [oh-two-sierra]. (Special Bandsmen have only had one unifying MOS.)

http://schoolofmusic.army.mil/

Badgley · Post by **Badgley** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:50 pm

tubadoctor wrote:
Actually, I'm pretty sure that crusty old sunnuvabitch tuba instructor mentioned you horn carrying technique a few times, didn't he?

Dude, you really shouldn't talk bad about Cip like that...he's fragile man!!

Seriously, I'm loving it here, couldn't ask for a better assignment. You need to make sure you get to DC this January so we can toss a few back.