REQUIREMENTS
STRENGTHEN MORE THAN JUST YOUR MUSIC
The Army band program is open to talented musicians, male or female, who are qualified to enlist in the Army and can pass a prearranged audition. But more importantly, the program is for anyone who has a passion for his or her instrument and a love for music.
If you are accepted into the Army band program, you will be required to complete nine weeks of Basic Combat Training — just like any other recruit joining the Army — where you will learn the fundamentals of being a Soldier.
But, after BCT, you'll get down to 10 weeks of serious musical study — Advanced Individual Training — at the School of Music in Norfolk, Va. Once you've completed AIT, you'll then be assigned to a band and will begin your rewarding career as an Army bandsman.
When You Have The Talent, It Shows
The first step to joining the Army band program is the audition. When and where this takes place will be worked out with your recruiter, the auditioner and you. Below is what is expected from you at the audition. The main interest is in your sight-reading ability and demonstrated musicianship, for example tone, technique, rhythm and intonation.
Audition Requirements
It's more than an audition. It's the first step in shaping your musical career.
Woodwind And Brass
- Prepared selection: grade four or higher (40%)
- Major scales: arpeggios, two octaves where possible,
memorized (10%) - Sight read: marches and concert/jazz band literature (50%)
Percussion
- Two prepared snare drum selections (one rudimental and one concert solo), grade four or higher
- Rudiments on snare from the standard 26 rudiments, memorized
- Major scales on a mallet up to one sharp and one flat,
two octaves, memorized - Demonstrate the following idioms on drum set: swing, rock,
funk and multiple Latin styles - Sight read representative literature on snare drum, drum set and mallet instrument
- Snare (50%), Drum Set (40%), Mallet (10%)
Electric Guitar And Electric Bass
- Prepared material in one of the following styles: Funk, R&B, Country, Jazz, Salsa/Latin 60%
- Sight reading 40%
Keyboard
- Prepared material in one of the following styles: Funk, R&B, Country, Jazz, Salsa/Latin 60%
- Sight reading 40%
