Did the 2008 recession impact the quality of the military bands? If so, how?

2021-06-26T23:37:16-04:00

I heard about this several years ago and I was wondering how much this person said about being a musician in the military is true. He said that before the 2008 recession, joining the band was relatively easy so overall the band at that time was mediocre. When the recession hit, you had a lot of music students and musicians who couldn't find a job so they ended up joining the military band. As a result, the quality level drastically increased. To me that makes sense but is it true?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2021 1:19 AM

2021-06-27T01:19:59-04:00

As for NOLA —-> the Marine Forces Reserve Band has *always* been in top form!

Rev/edit —-> added clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysqp6ax0C7k

U.S. Marine Corps Marching Band - Mardi Gras 2019

It wouldn't be Mardi Gras in New Orleans without the U.S. Marine Corps Marching Band.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jun 27 at 2021 1:58 AM

2021-06-27T01:58:57-04:00

Not as simple to join the band as people think, the service recruit musicians to be members of the Military bands. Band members as a unit tend to be very well educated in Music with often college degrees including graduate level degrees. . There was never anything substandard in any Military band I've ever heard from any of the services.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2021 3:58 AM

2021-06-27T03:58:29-04:00

One of my junior Career Counselors was in the band. She had a degree in music and was a music teacher. She said most of her band mates had music degrees.

I doubt it was ever mediocre before 2008, you've always had to audition for the Army Band.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 27 at 2021 12:36 PM

2021-06-27T12:36:32-04:00

Being a musician in the Military has always been competitive. You also have the differentiation of different bands. The competitiveness only increases when you are looking at the main bands in DC. Army Band and Marine Band are next level skill sets when compared to a Base or Division Band. I could see that there may have been more folks enlisting after 2008 going for the basic level band seats but the main Branch Bands have always been big draws.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2021 12:58 PM

2021-06-27T12:58:58-04:00

My perception is they threshold to get in is quite high. For example, a friend of mine made the band and made it to SSG, and he's currently now a member of a metropolitan symphony.