She Landed One of Music’s Great Gigs, but First Came Boot Camp
Premier military bands offer rare stability for classical musicians, who consider them a strong alternative to traditional orchestras. But signing up means shipping out.
In this case, Specialist Brooks was auditioning for the West Point Band. (A long-ish - 8 mins - read.)
...During her 10-month deployment [Operation Lone Star] Ms. Brooks worked from midnight to 8 a.m. in the armory issuing weapons. Many of her bandmates provided water to crossing migrants and sat with them until Border Patrol agents arrived. She lived in a hotel, which made it hard to prepare for auditions.
“I was practicing my instrument out in my car,” she said. “It was really miserable.”
Military life can be a shock to musicians, most of whom have no prior experience with the armed forces.
“We have to wear a combat uniform to play the tuba, it’s a little weird,” said Staff Sgt. Alec Mawrence, a tuba player in the West Point Band. “Eventually, your head is shaved and you’re screaming, ‘Yes, drill sergeant.’”
Premier military bands offer rare stability for classical musicians, who consider them a strong alternative to traditional orchestras. But signing up means shipping out.
In this case, Specialist Brooks was auditioning for the West Point Band. (A long-ish - 8 mins - read.)
...During her 10-month deployment [Operation Lone Star] Ms. Brooks worked from midnight to 8 a.m. in the armory issuing weapons. Many of her bandmates provided water to crossing migrants and sat with them until Border Patrol agents arrived. She lived in a hotel, which made it hard to prepare for auditions.
“I was practicing my instrument out in my car,” she said. “It was really miserable.”
Military life can be a shock to musicians, most of whom have no prior experience with the armed forces.
“We have to wear a combat uniform to play the tuba, it’s a little weird,” said Staff Sgt. Alec Mawrence, a tuba player in the West Point Band. “Eventually, your head is shaved and you’re screaming, ‘Yes, drill sergeant.’”
