US Marine Band

[Tubajug]

I received an email earlier today informing me that on December 19th, 2011 they will be conducting auditions for an opening in the tuba section. I don't know anything beyond that, I'm sure their website has more info. Just thought I'd pass that along

[acjcf2]

Good luck Jordan, I hope you make it!

Semper Fi,
Jim

[TubaNerd88]

The tuba vacancy has officially been posted on the "President's Own" website. Here is the link:

http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/career_i ... x.htm#Tuba" target="_blank

I'll try my best to be at the audition. Time to get to work, musically and physically.

[TYA]

if you don't get the spot does that mean they are going to put you in a different marine band where you have to go through all their training or does nothing happen?

[USMCTuba]

Nothing happens. The audition is not a commitment of any kind, in and of itself, and is completely separate from the rest of the Marine Corps Music program. For the record, the same is true when auditioning for the program at large. You don't sign any paperwork until after you pass the audition and decide to enlist.

[TYA]

Nothing happens. The audition is not a commitment of any kind, in and of itself, and is completely separate from the rest of the Marine Corps Music program. For the record, the same is true when auditioning for the program at large. You don't sign any paperwork until after you pass the audition and decide to enlist.

Thank you for letting me know that. A recruiting officer from where I live was looking for tuba players to audition for this spot, but he wanted us to meet with him and give him an audition and have a meeting at the recruiting office. We weren't too sure if this was normal because the site did state the audition date. Do you have any thoughts on this?

[USMCTuba]

Far be it from me to assume what he is looking for, but whatever it is, it is separate from the "President's Own" selection process.

[Casey Tucker]

Am I missing something? I click on the link and the vacancy list shows but it only lists euphonium and percussion.

-CT

[Rick F]

That link for me goes to a page with all current openings and automatically scrolls down to the the tuba opening. If you browser doesn't do that, be sure to scroll down to the last item to see 'tuba'.

Tuba opening

[SFA Tubajack]

It might be the browser your using. The tuba vacancy did not show up for me at all while using Firefox, not matter what I did. I opened up Safari and was able to see it immediately. Weird, I know, that was the only way that I could see it.

[Casey Tucker]

HA figured it out. Apparently Google Chrome didn't want me to see it. Switching over to Firefox did the trick. Looks like I'll be starting a new diet/work-out routine.

-CT

[Tom Holtz]

The position was offered to Hiram Diaz this afternoon. Congratulations, Hiram!

[JCradler]

To clarify Tom's post, the euphonium position was offered to Hiram. The tuba audition is still on the books for December.
JC

[Tom Holtz]

Duh. [faceslap]

[ztuba]

Proof that you must be able to sing at some sort of high level to win a big job...

Enjoy this very instructional video. Congratulations Hiram!


Check out this video of Hiram's super singing skills on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHN0F95V ... ata_player" target="_blank

[Hiram]

Great.

[pgiampi1]

So THAT'S his secret.

[dvtuba]

So I just turned 35. Until this moment, I didn't really feel that old. I knew that the age cut-off for most service bands was around the mid-30's...I was kinda hoping it was 35. I just noticed, though, that it's 34. So, I'm an old fogey, it seems. Can anyone explain why that is? Not why I'm an old fogey, but why 34? I know some current service band members who are OVER that mark, so why is it important to put that age limit on potential new members? Especially with a non-militarized band like the Marine Band. I mean, I can see why 34 might be a good cut-off for those who will have to go through BOOT CAMP upon winning...even though I know some 60-YEAR OLD dudes who could probably handle it no problem...but why 34 for the Marine Band?

Thanks in advance for any input.

-The Old Codger

[JCradler]

So I just turned 35. Until this moment, I didn't really feel that old. I knew that the age cut-off for most service bands was around the mid-30's...I was kinda hoping it was 35. I just noticed, though, that it's 34. So, I'm an old fogey, it seems. Can anyone explain why that is? Not why I'm an old fogey, but why 34? I know some current service band members who are OVER that mark, so why is it important to put that age limit on potential new members? Especially with a non-militarized band like the Marine Band. I mean, I can see why 34 might be a good cut-off for those who will have to go through BOOT CAMP upon winning...even though I know some 60-YEAR OLD dudes who could probably handle it no problem...but why 34 for the Marine Band?

Thanks in advance for any input.

-The Old Codger

I'll try to answer here, but please don't take it as "Official" by any stretch.
I think the age cutoff is put in place at 34 because the Marine Corps says so, simply put. We are part of the Marine Corps, and we all know there are places in this world where the tail doesn't wag the dog. Many people serve in the military that are well beyond 34, but they obviously began their careers at a younger age. Age is not the only qualification in place for service, physical disabilities also come to mind. For example, one might be the best flute or trumpet player we've ever heard, but if they are wheelchair- bound or the like, they cannot be hired. If the age were to be raised, certainly there would be another person asking the same thing you are asking (Why can't it be just a bit older?) The line needed to be drawn somewhere and it was drawn at 34.

Regarding your use of the term "non-militarized", I'd like to suggest the more accurate term of "non- combatant". There is plenty (believe me!) of "military" about our jobs. As I was saying earlier, we are members of the Marine Corps and are serving on active duty.

John Cradler

[PMeuph]

So I just turned 35. Until this moment, I didn't really feel that old. I knew that the age cut-off for most service bands was around the mid-30's...I was kinda hoping it was 35. I just noticed, though, that it's 34. So, I'm an old fogey, it seems. Can anyone explain why that is? Not why I'm an old fogey, but why 34? I know some current service band members who are OVER that mark, so why is it important to put that age limit on potential new members? Especially with a non-militarized band like the Marine Band. I mean, I can see why 34 might be a good cut-off for those who will have to go through BOOT CAMP upon winning...even though I know some 60-YEAR OLD dudes who could probably handle it no problem...but why 34 for the Marine Band?

Thanks in advance for any input.

-The Old Codger

I'll try to answer here, but please don't take it as "Official" by any stretch.
I think the age cutoff is put in place at 34 because the Marine Corps says so, simply put. We are part of the Marine Corps, and we all know there are places in this world where the tail doesn't wag the dog. Many people serve in the military that are well beyond 34, but they obviously began their careers at a younger age. Age is not the only qualification in place for service, physical disabilities also come to mind. For example, one might be the best flute or trumpet player we've ever heard, but if they are wheelchair- bound or the like, they cannot be hired. If the age were to be raised, certainly there would be another person asking the same thing you are asking (Why can't it be just a bit older?) The line needed to be drawn somewhere and it was drawn at 34.

Regarding your use of the term "non-militarized", I'd like to suggest the more accurate term of "non- combatant". There is plenty (believe me!) of "military" about our jobs. As I was saying earlier, we are members of the Marine Corps and are serving on active duty.

John Cradler

Just a thought... Wouldn't 34 years old (With 20 years of active duty) put you at 54 to be able to retire. That would allow any member who joins the possibility of serving a full career if they wanted to.