[TPIN] Army Bands

[Achias1 at mchsi.com]

When I auditioned for the Army Bands over two decades ago, there were two options:

1. If you were good enough, you would go right to the group that auditioned you (Fifth Army Band near 
Chicago in my case).

2. If you weren't good enough, you'd go to the Navy School of Music in Little Creek, VA.

Either way, you would have to read notes before you arrived at a functioning band assignment.

In my Army Band experience, I saw incredible musicians whom I learned a LOT from, and mediocre high 
school kids. I never did run across anyone who could not read, though.

Incidentally, the person that I audutioned for at the Fifth Army Band is now the other trumpet player in 
our quintet. He sent me to the Navy School, but I don't hold that against him (too much), because after 
going through the SOM, I ended up at the NORAD Band in Colorado Springs, a much better assignment.

Dave