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President’s Own?

Based on the election results, I was wondering if anyone is considering pulling out of the President’s Own auditions? I can’t say I am feeling any pride or love for this nation or want to represent it at this time and in this climate.

6 answers0 replies

6 Comments

ajislas61

Nov 20

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I was in one of the DC based service bands for 25 years before I retired and loved every minute of it. Unlike orchestras, a military band will not go on strike, you are paid on the 1st and the 15th of every month. You get 30 days PAID vacation, and tution reinbursement. FREE health care, vision, and dental for you and your family. You are given a government issued instrument(s) that will probably be better then the one(s) you currently own. You'll go on National tours, and maybe some international ones also, that will be no cost to you. Now that I'm retired, I get my retirement pay from the military and Veterans benefits for the rest of my life. You'll get to see numerous world leaders, and witness history making events. It is/was an awesome job/life!

ReedThrowawayAccount

Nov 10

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Relatively shallow reason to not take a military band job when there’s like… an actual one like not supporting the military-industrial complex propaganda machine, but okay

morange

Nov 08

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The administration will last 4 years. That's a 20-30 year job that boasts unparalleled stability, great work-life balance, and a very respectable salary as a performing musician. At least give yourself the chance to take the audition.

Drummer12345

Nov 07

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I have a colleague who turned down a position in a military band because Biden was POTUS. I thought that was short-sighted and I think it’s short-sighted to refuse a job because of this election. If you stay for the 20 years to retire in the bands then you’ve probably served both those you would vote for and those you wouldn’t and that’s something you have to be ok with to accept the job.

FWIW those jobs are incredible. All the military bands are. Their job is so much more than whomever they may be serving under. I’d happily take a job in those bands regardless of the POTUS.

ajislas61

Nov 20

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Replying to

BassBoneLurker

Dec 01

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Replying to

These jobs have a lot going for them and (as someone who is military premiere band adjacent) on balance it seems that most people in those jobs are very grateful to have them. All of the benefits listed above are real but here are the "buts" that I have observed to be significant:

-if you want to travel outside the DC area or ensure that you are available to fulfill a local freelance you have to use leave (only 30 days/year) even if it is a weekend or holiday.

-at the beginning your salary and housing allowance don't go very far in this expensive market. Salary and COLA bumps eventually make it sort of workable

-touring is often not optional and can be really difficult when you have young children (I believe you can be required to travel 6 months postpartum but I may be incorrect).

-parental leave benefits are decent - 12 paid weeks for mothers AND fathers - but there is no option for additional unpaid leave.

-the White House and other standard venues don't offer accommodations for nursing mothers (no place to pump). In my secondhand experience, supervisors (men and women) have coerced mothers into weaning sooner than they would prefer due to the lack of facilities on the typical military band "missions"

-you will play your instrument (plus lots of "other duties as assigned") for a living but you won't find a lot of opportunities for creative expression. The DC freelance scene is flooded with great players looking for a creative outlet.

One other benefit - if you are injured (pretty common for middle age folks in the bands to have either physical or chop injuries) you will have access to excellent care and will be paid while you either recover or try to figure out what to do.