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Naval Academy Band
Brass Ensemble

Upcoming Auditions

 

TRUMPET VACANCY ~ AUDITION MARCH 11, 2024

The United States Naval Academy Band announces a vacancy for trumpet to perform with
Ceremonial/Marching Units, Brass Quintet, Wind Ensemble and various chamber ensembles. The
audition will be held on March 11, 2024 in Annapolis, MD. The audition committee reserves the
right to dismiss any candidate not meeting the highest professional standards.

AUDITION PACKET

To be considered for an audition, applicants should submit a one-page resume to MU1 Mark
Huskey at auditions@usna.edu by March 4, 2024. All travel arrangements and expenses are the
responsibility of the candidate. Active duty musicians from all branches of the U.S. Military
must also send a letter of endorsement from their Commanding Officer.

In order to accept a position with the U.S. Naval Academy Band, the audition winner must also
qualify for enlistment in the United States Navy and successfully complete Recruit Training. A
minimum of a four-year enlistment is required. All applicants must be aged 18 to 41 and
otherwise physically and medically qualified for service in the U.S. Navy. Applicants are highly
encouraged to seek out the advice of a U.S. Navy Recruiter. A recruiter is trained and qualified to
ascertain a citizen’s eligibility to join the U.S. Navy.

Starting salary for a new member of the U.S. Naval Academy Band is ~ $69,000 - $75,000. Other
benefits include 30 days paid leave annually, full medical coverage for members and their
dependents, education tuition assistance, the G.I. Bill, and student loan repayment up to $65,000.
Those selected for positions in the U.S. Naval Academy Band are advanced to the paygrade of
E-6 (Musician First Class) following recruit training, under a contract for permanent assignment
to the U.S. Naval Academy Band, Annapolis, MD.

Information: Careers in Navy Music

The United States Naval Academy Band, “The Navy’s Oldest and Finest,” has been providing music for the Brigade of Midshipmen and surrounding community since 1852. Located at the U.S. Naval Academy in beautiful Annapolis, Maryland, the band is comprised of professional musicians who have studied at some of the best music schools and conservatories in the world.

The United States Naval Academy Band is one of the Navy’s two premiere bands and is a preferentially staffed ensemble. Selection for assignment to the USNA Band is determined by competitive, live audition for announced vacancies. In order to audition, you must be aged 18-39, able to pass the Armed Forces Entrance Physical and be otherwise qualified for service in the U.S. Navy. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have a valid green card and social security card with no stipulations. Current military members and some veterans may be exempt from the age requirement.

BENEFITS
Basic Pay
After completion of recruit training and upon arrival at the United States Naval Academy Band, members are advanced to the rank of Musician First Class (E-6 pay grade). Basic military pay can be found at https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/payentitlements/Pay-Tables.html. Pay may increase with subsequent advancements and annual pay raises to reflect the increase in cost-of-living. In addition to basic pay, the Navy offers non-taxable housing and food allowances to help cover living expenses.

Basic Allowance for Housing
For members who live off-base, an allowance is provided to defray the cost of housing in the Annapolis area. This allowance is based on rank and family status (spouse and/or children living with the member). The current Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for E-6 members stationed in Annapolis, MD can be found at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Basic-Allowance-for-Housing/BAH-Rate-Lookup/. This allowance is tax free.

Total Pay
Please refer to the following site for the most up-to-date pay scale:https://www.navy.com/what-to-expect/military-pay-and-benefits

Temporary Duty (TDY) Expenses
When traveling for job-related reasons away from your home base, members receive additional tax-free money to cover meals, lodging, and other incidental expenses.

Uniform Allowance
Members receive an annual tax-free clothing allowance to replace uniform items.

Health Care
All members of the U.S. Armed Forces are automatically enrolled in TRICARE - the Department of Defense's health care program for active duty personnel, retirees, and their families. Through TRICARE, members receive FREE, comprehensive medical and dental care as needed at one of the Washington, D.C. area military treatment facilities or civilian TRICARE providers. Family members may also be enrolled in TRICARE and receive medical care at military or civilian facilities through various options for little or no cost. Inexpensive dental care programs may be purchased for family members. U.S. Navy members may participate in the Service Members' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program at very reasonable rates. For example, for only $29 per month, members may purchase life insurance coverage of $400,000.

Retirement
The U.S. Navy provides a pension for its members who serve for at least 20 years. Retirement income is adjusted each year to compensate for increases in the cost of living. Please note that in order to serve for more than 22 years, advancement to higher rank is required, and retirement will reflect additional time in service.

Vacation Time and Sick Leave
Active-duty members of the U.S. Navy earn 30 days of leave (vacation) each year. Members of performing ensembles usually take their leave at the same time during a designated "blanket leave" period. Requests for leave outside of the blanket leave period are considered on a case-by-case basis and may be approved depending on the performing/rehearsal schedule and mission needs of each ensemble. Special consideration is given to emergency situations and significant family events. Members are not charged leave for sick days, and with doctor authorization members receive as many days as necessary to return to full health.

Funds Available for Education
The U.S. Navy offers educational benefits for some degrees in the form of tuition assistance. Most members are eligible to participate in the Veterans Administration's GI Bill program. For more information about the GI bill, go to www.gibill.va.gov. For information about eligibility for any of these programs, contact a Navy recruiter at https://www.navy.com/local. Active Duty Navy Sailors are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

Commissary and Exchange Privileges
Members and their families are permitted to shop at military commissaries (grocery stores), base exchanges (department stores) and service stations. These facilities offer tax-free shopping and a savings of about 30% over similar off-base stores.


ELIGIBILITY


College Background
Although most members of the USNA Band have earned undergraduate degrees, a college degree is not required to become a member. Candidates are offered positions solely on the basis of successful auditions and interviews.

Criminal Background
For any questions pertaining to legal eligibility for the Navy, contact a Navy recruiter at https://www.navy.com/local.

Physical Requirements
To be considered for a position with the USNA Band, candidates must not have medical conditions that would prevent them from enlisting in the United States Navy. Candidates must also be between the ages of 17 and 39.

Members of the U.S. Navy are required to maintain high standards of personal appearance, adherence to height/weight requirements and physical fitness. Please refer to the following website about height/weight standards: http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/navy-weight-rules.html All members are required to pass biannual physical fitness evaluations and are subject to random drug urinalysis testing at any time. Additionally, Naval Academy Band members may not have tattoos that are visible in short sleeves and skirts. Please consider these requirements before making travel arrangements and accepting an invitation to audition.


JOINING THE NAVY


When accepting a position with the United States Naval Academy Band, you will be given an application for the Navy Music Program, allowing you to begin the enlistment process to join the U.S. Navy. Your local recruiter will guide you through each step of the enlistment process. You must take and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which is a skills assessment test, and complete a physical exam. The enlistment process is completed at your local Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) where you will sign an enlistment contract. After enlisting, you will go directly to Great Lakes, Ill. to complete Recruit Training.

Basic Training
Recruit Training is an eight-week course at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. While attending recruit training, you will learn standard military drill and ceremonies, U.S. Navy history, customs, and courtesies, and will participate in daily physical fitness exercises. Musicians, who are usually well-educated and self-disciplined, tend to do well in recruit training.

After Recruit Training
After graduating from Recruit Training, you will be immediately assigned to the United States Naval Academy Band. You will be given a specific number of travel days to move from your home of record to the Annapolis area.

The Navy will move your household goods up to 11,000 pounds if you have dependents and 8,000 pounds if you do not have dependents. If necessary, the Navy will store your household goods until you find permanent housing. If you decide to move yourself, you will be reimbursed for some of the moving and storage expenses.


PROFESSIONAL LIFE


Performance Locations
At the Naval Academy, the USNA Band performs for dress parades, athletic events, and other traditional events. In the community, the band presents concerts, provides music for civic events, and presents instructional clinics and performances for K-12 and university students. The band also plays for military ceremonies and funerals throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Performance Opportunities
If you wish, you may participate as a civilian in the Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. areas’ active and vibrant performing arts communities or give private lessons to music students. However, if a scheduling conflict should arise, your USNA Band commitments must be met first.

Instruments and Equipment
The Navy will supply you with professional musical instruments as well as the musical supplies you need to accomplish your musical duties.

Duty Schedule
Each unit of the USNA Band is unique in its scheduling and has different rehearsal/performance requirements that change on a weekly basis according to the mission. A typical non-performance day consists of rehearsals or administrative duties.

As military bands are a traditional part of American patriotic celebrations, you should expect to work on major holidays such as Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.

Non-musical Duties
As part of a self-contained organization, USNA Band members perform a variety of non-musical duties to ensure efficient daily operations. These duties may range from performing simple clerical work to coordinating and managing the activities of an entire unit.

Members may volunteer to work in one of the following areas:
Public Affairs (publicity and website development and maintenance)
Career Development (career counseling, training, auditions)
Equipment Supply (procurement and inventory)
Administrative Offices
Information Systems (application development, network administration, software/hardware maintenance)
Vehicles (coordinating maintenance of band vehicles)

Duty Status
An assignment to the United States Naval Academy Band is a permanent duty assignment. This means you will remain a member of the band for your entire enlistment. However, members may request a transfer to another U.S. Navy band or retrain into a different career field. These requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Working as a musician in the USNA Band is a full-time profession, not a side activity. You will be an active duty member of the United States Navy. In wartime or peacetime, your primary duty is to perform as a musician

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