Question Regarding Service Band Tubas

[Liberty Mo]

Specific to the premier service bands, what models of horns are played during ensemble performances? BBb? CC? I know several members frequent the board, and am curious.

Do the sections all play the same instruments? Do they mix horns of different keys?

On an aside, how is the seating amongst the section determined? Is there competition amongst the section?

Thanks

[Chuck Jackson]

Is there competition amongst the section?

When I was in the band system and you wanted to challenge for a better seat in your section, you put on your armor and grabbed a spear and had it out in the coliseum in front of the madding throngs. Unfortunately, you never had a great audience because you were usually the warm up act for the main event, most times the Christians vs. Lions, you get the idea. Good way to get your aggressions out. The job did have longevity, probably because paper was at a premium and your discharge orders took,oh, 25 years or so to chisel into stone.

I personally played a "Zeus" Meinalus Westonuas in bronze with a bowl shaped antelope horn mouthpiece pitched in the Pythagorian CCb (I sold it for 50 shekels to buy an Alexanderuas Giganticus, but most of my friends were killed searching for the Yorkus III, something about angry cyclops or something of that ilk, praise be to Zeus I wish I never had sold it). Real bitch was killing that antelope to make the damn mouthpiece. Now, can someone tell me what valves are?

Charlesuas Packedfullofituas, Centurian 1st Class, Ret.
Rome Garrison "Nero's Own"

[Tony Halloin]

In regards to your questions I can speak precisely about the US Navy Band in DC and speculatively of the other bands in the area, but I assume that we all handle this about the same way.

The military provides each musician with an instrument in relatively good working order. This doesn't mean you automatically get a brand new horn of your choosing when you join one of these bands. Our band, and I presume the others, are subjected to budgeting just like any organization and a new tuba is one of the larger purchases of personal equipment. On the other hand, I think most of the bands usually get their players new instruments of their choosing within a few years of joining. It took about 2 and a half years for me. With that, I could choose whatever instrument I wanted, be it BBb, CC, EEb, or F, but you are expected to use that instrument in the band. In my particular band, the horns used were Nirschl and a Hirsbrunner when I joined. I wanted a PT6P, so that is what I ordered.

I am pretty certain most of the players in the area now play CC in their bands, with occasional use by one player of an EEb or F on screamin' octave stuff (Oberon, Light Cavalry and other arrangements of that time period), while the bottom octave is nailed down by the CC players.

As for chair placement I think it largely depends on seniority, but playing ability is also considered. One must realize that players come and go from these sections, so to make someone section leader/principal only to have them take off after the first enlistment would be counterproductive. And therefore, the players that have put the time into the organization and will probably stick around through 20-30 years of service are more likely to be made and retain principal. As far as I know, there is no "challenge" system in place for the premier bands. These are professional organizations much like symphony orchestras and I don't see the CSO holding challenges for principal chairs.

I apologize for the long winded answer.

[OldsRecording]

Is there competition amongst the section?

When I was in the band system and you wanted to challenge for a better seat in your section, you put on your armor and grabbed a spear and had it out in the coliseum in front of the madding throngs. Unfortunately, you never had a great audience because you were usually the warm up act for the main event, most times the Christians vs. Lions, you get the idea. Good way to get your aggressions out. The job did have longevity, probably because paper was at a premium and your discharge orders took,oh, 25 years or so to chisel into stone.

I personally played a "Zeus" Meinalus Westonuas in bronze with a bowl shaped antelope horn mouthpiece pitched in the Pythagorian CCb (I sold it for 50 shekels to buy an Alexanderuas Giganticus, but most of my friends were killed searching for the Yorkus III, something about angry cyclops or something of that ilk, praise be to Zeus I wish I never had sold it). Real bitch was killing that antelope to make the damn mouthpiece. Now, can someone tell me what valves are?

Charlesuas Packedfullofituas, Centurian 1st Class, Ret.
Rome Garrison "Nero's Own"

Et tu, Chuck?

[Liberty Mo]

\

As for chair placement I think it largely depends on seniority, but playing ability is also considered. One must realize that players come and go from these sections, so to make someone section leader/principal only to have them take off after the first enlistment would be counterproductive. And therefore, the players that have put the time into the organization and will probably stick around through 20-30 years of service are more likely to be made and retain principal. As far as I know, there is no "challenge" system in place for the premier bands. These are professional organizations much like symphony orchestras and I don't see the CSO holding challenges for principal chairs.

I apologize for the long winded answer.

Tony,
Thanks for the insight. My question regarding the seating of the players was in part due to the unique nature of the bands having 4 or more tubas in a section playing the same part, whereas an orchestra has one tuba. I wondered if the most senior guy got the section leader/principal chair or if there was more to it. It is my understanding that the Marine Band has several guys in the section with several years of service, and I was curious how things were divided (solos, quintets, etc.).

Again thanks for the insight, my familiarity with the premier service bands is limited to recordings and the occasional national tour rolling through Kansas City, but nonetheless one of great respect and admiration.