CAREER INFORMATION If you are presently performing as a musician in the New York State area in High School, College, Musicians Workshops, or you are already a working musician and can pass an audition, the New York Army National Guard Band Program can offer you great benefits both financially and educationally. The Band only meets one weekend a month and two weeks during the summer. WHO CAN JOIN THE NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD BAND Any musician, male or female, who is otherwise qualified to enlist in the United States Army, and can pass a prearranged audition by an authorized auditioner, can join the New York Army National Guard Band. HOW WELL DO I HAVE TO PLAY The main interest is in your sight-reading ability and demonstrated musicianship, i.e., tone, technique, rhythm, and intonation. Perfection is not expected, but an honest effort is. If you pass the audition, the New York Army National Guard Band will assist you in learning and growing as a musician. Click here for the audition requirements. WHERE MAY I AUDITION Auditions are generally held at the State Armory where the Unit is presently located in Freeport, Long Island. The date and time of the audition can be worked out with you and the auditioner. WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL THE AUDITION If you fail the audition, you will be told what your weaknesses are, and how you can correct them. You'll also be informed that you can return at a later date to re-audition. WHAT RANK WILL I BE Those who pass the audition may enlist at the advanced pay grade of E-3. If you have completed a four-year degree, you may enlist as an E-4. WHAT ABOUT ADVANCEMENT IN RANK Upon graduation from the School of Music, you will be promoted to the pay grade of E-4, if you are not already there. After that, you will advance in rank based on your merits. WHY ARE ARMY MUSICIANS ENLISTED AT THESE ADVANCED GRADES To become a member of the New York Army National Guard Band, you must be able to play an instrument proficiently. The Army considers this a Civilian Acquired Skill. This means that prior to enlistment, you had many years of training and practice to learn this skill. Your civilian musical training enables you to enlist at these advanced grades. WHAT ARE THE FEATURES AND BENEFITS BEING OFFERED Enlistment Bonus Qualify for a $3,000 initial enlistment bonus. Salary Earn monthly income for doing a job you love, playing your instrument. GI Montgomery Bill Additional to a monthly salary, college students can qualify for and additional $260 a month for being a full time college student. Other amounts available for being enrolled part time as well. Additional tuition assistance money available as well. Student Loan Repayment Program Qualify for up to $10,000 in outstanding student loan repayment funds. Tuition Assistance Qualify for up to $1700 per Semester towards tuition at any CUNY/SUNY school and participating private schools Professional Instruments Professional instruments provided to all members of the band. Commissary and Post Exchange (PX) Privileges All members of the New York National Guard Band are issued a U.S. Armed Forces Commissary Privilege Card, to shop in commissaries. Band members are also entitled to shop at the Post Exchange (PX) on any military base in the world. This offers you many opportunities to save money. Each commissary and Post Exchange offers as much as 25% savings over commercial stores on products and service available. Travel Benefits Members are entitled to travel, at no charge and on a space-available (Space- A) basis, on military aircraft within and between the Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Advanced Pay Grade Those who pass the audition and decide to join the unit may enlist at the advanced pay grade of E-3, Private First Class. If you have completed a four-year degree, you may enlist as an E-4, Specialist. Lodging Facilities Worldwide Take advantage of the discount rates offered at Military lodging. Military lodging is available to all National Guard Band Members. These accommodations include hotels and camp grounds Worldwide. One example is the Shades of Green Hotel located in the center of Walt Disney. This is one of many hotels owned by the United States Army offering discount rates for vacation and recreational use for military personnel only. Family Member ID Cards These cards are provided to family members of the New York Army National Guard Band. They will allow family members to use certain military facilities. These cards can also be used by the family member while the Band member is on the annual two-week performance tour during the summer. Special New York State Tag Plan New York State has an automobile license tag program for members of the New York Army National Guard Band, which may include distinctive auto plates. WHAT JOBS ARE BEING OFFERED Trumpet Player Baritone or Euphonium Player French Horn Player Trombone Player Tuba Player Flute or Piccolo Player Oboe Player Clarinet Player Bassoon Player Saxophone Player Percussion Player Keyboard/Piano Player Electric Guitar Player Electric Bass Player VARIOUS ENSEMBLES Brass Quintet Concert Band Jazz/Latin Combo Marching Band Rock Combo Saxophone Quartet Stage Band WHAT IS A TYPICAL WORK DAY LIKE The band prepares for military and civilian public performances. Typically if the band is not scheduled to perform when the weekend consists of rehearsing. 9:00 to 12:00 Rehearsal 12:00 to 1:00 Lunch 1:00 to 4:30 Rehearsal These rehearsals can range from full concert band to small combo groups to sectional or individual development, depending on what needs to be accomplished. Before and after rehearsals, part of the day is spent on training and administrative duties. These rehearsals are in preparation for any performance dates the Band has been requested for. HOW OFTEN DOES THE BAND MEET The Band meets one weekend a month and 14 days during the summer months generally between July and August. A yearly schedule is provided to all band members in advance. DO I HAVE TO ATTEND BASIC TRAINING Yes, all Army musicians, even ones going to the special bands, are required to attend Basic Training. To learn more about Army basic training click here. DO I HAVE TO ATTEND THE ARMY SCHOOL OF MUSIC Yes, you will be required to attend the U.S. Army Element School of Music in Norfolk, VA. The course is four weeks long, but if you meet graduation standards, you may graduate early. To set up an audition please press the Fill out the form and press submit. SSG Wilson will then contact you and arrange an audition date and time. |
CAREER INFORMATION If you are presently performing as a musician in the New York State area in High School, College, Musicians Workshops, or you are already a working musician and can pass an audition, the New York Army National Guard Band Program can offer you great benefits both financially and educationally. The Band only meets one weekend a month and two weeks during the summer. WHO CAN JOIN THE NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD BAND Any musician, male or female, who is otherwise qualified to enlist in the United States Army, and can pass a prearranged audition by an authorized auditioner, can join the New York Army National Guard Band. HOW WELL DO I HAVE TO PLAY The main interest is in your sight-reading ability and demonstrated musicianship, i.e., tone, technique, rhythm, and intonation. Perfection is not expected, but an honest effort is. If you pass the audition, the New York Army National Guard Band will assist you in learning and growing as a musician. Click here for the audition requirements. WHERE MAY I AUDITION Auditions are generally held at the State Armory where the Unit is presently located in Freeport, Long Island. The date and time of the audition can be worked out with you and the auditioner. WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL THE AUDITION If you fail the audition, you will be told what your weaknesses are, and how you can correct them. You'll also be informed that you can return at a later date to re-audition. WHAT RANK WILL I BE Those who pass the audition may enlist at the advanced pay grade of E-3. If you have completed a four-year degree, you may enlist as an E-4. WHAT ABOUT ADVANCEMENT IN RANK Upon graduation from the School of Music, you will be promoted to the pay grade of E-4, if you are not already there. After that, you will advance in rank based on your merits. WHY ARE ARMY MUSICIANS ENLISTED AT THESE ADVANCED GRADES To become a member of the New York Army National Guard Band, you must be able to play an instrument proficiently. The Army considers this a Civilian Acquired Skill. This means that prior to enlistment, you had many years of training and practice to learn this skill. Your civilian musical training enables you to enlist at these advanced grades. WHAT ARE THE FEATURES AND BENEFITS BEING OFFERED Enlistment Bonus Qualify for a $3,000 initial enlistment bonus. Salary Earn monthly income for doing a job you love, playing your instrument. GI Montgomery Bill Additional to a monthly salary, college students can qualify for and additional $260 a month for being a full time college student. Other amounts available for being enrolled part time as well. Additional tuition assistance money available as well. Student Loan Repayment Program Qualify for up to $10,000 in outstanding student loan repayment funds. Tuition Assistance Qualify for up to $1700 per Semester towards tuition at any CUNY/SUNY school and participating private schools Professional Instruments Professional instruments provided to all members of the band. Commissary and Post Exchange (PX) Privileges All members of the New York National Guard Band are issued a U.S. Armed Forces Commissary Privilege Card, to shop in commissaries. Band members are also entitled to shop at the Post Exchange (PX) on any military base in the world. This offers you many opportunities to save money. Each commissary and Post Exchange offers as much as 25% savings over commercial stores on products and service available. Travel Benefits Members are entitled to travel, at no charge and on a space-available (Space- A) basis, on military aircraft within and between the Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Advanced Pay Grade Those who pass the audition and decide to join the unit may enlist at the advanced pay grade of E-3, Private First Class. If you have completed a four-year degree, you may enlist as an E-4, Specialist. Lodging Facilities Worldwide Take advantage of the discount rates offered at Military lodging. Military lodging is available to all National Guard Band Members. These accommodations include hotels and camp grounds Worldwide. One example is the Shades of Green Hotel located in the center of Walt Disney. This is one of many hotels owned by the United States Army offering discount rates for vacation and recreational use for military personnel only. Family Member ID Cards These cards are provided to family members of the New York Army National Guard Band. They will allow family members to use certain military facilities. These cards can also be used by the family member while the Band member is on the annual two-week performance tour during the summer. Special New York State Tag Plan New York State has an automobile license tag program for members of the New York Army National Guard Band, which may include distinctive auto plates. WHAT JOBS ARE BEING OFFERED Trumpet Player Baritone or Euphonium Player French Horn Player Trombone Player Tuba Player Flute or Piccolo Player Oboe Player Clarinet Player Bassoon Player Saxophone Player Percussion Player Keyboard/Piano Player Electric Guitar Player Electric Bass Player VARIOUS ENSEMBLES Brass Quintet Concert Band Jazz/Latin Combo Marching Band Rock Combo Saxophone Quartet Stage Band WHAT IS A TYPICAL WORK DAY LIKE The band prepares for military and civilian public performances. Typically if the band is not scheduled to perform when the weekend consists of rehearsing. 9:00 to 12:00 Rehearsal 12:00 to 1:00 Lunch 1:00 to 4:30 Rehearsal These rehearsals can range from full concert band to small combo groups to sectional or individual development, depending on what needs to be accomplished. Before and after rehearsals, part of the day is spent on training and administrative duties. These rehearsals are in preparation for any performance dates the Band has been requested for. HOW OFTEN DOES THE BAND MEET The Band meets one weekend a month and 14 days during the summer months generally between July and August. A yearly schedule is provided to all band members in advance. DO I HAVE TO ATTEND BASIC TRAINING Yes, all Army musicians, even ones going to the special bands, are required to attend Basic Training. To learn more about Army basic training click here. DO I HAVE TO ATTEND THE ARMY SCHOOL OF MUSIC Yes, you will be required to attend the U.S. Army Element School of Music in Norfolk, VA. The course is four weeks long, but if you meet graduation standards, you may graduate early. To set up an audition please press the Fill out the form and press submit. SSG Wilson will then contact you and arrange an audition date and time. |
