Adventures | For Derek

On With The Show

by Derek—2004.12.14 @ 1741

Great news! I'm done with Basic Combat Training -- I am now officially a soldier in the U.S. Army! The past 10 weeks have been some of the most grulling I have ever experienced; I am so grateful to finally "graduate."

In this post, I've highlighted some events in Basic Training and my first week on the job with the U.S. Army Band.

Highlights of BCT:

  • I lost 30 pounds (really!)
  • I learned to eat every meal within two minutes or less
  • I qualified as an "expert" marksman with the M16-A2 rifle
  • I was promoted to "Platoon Guide," responsible for a platoon of 38 soldiers
  • I threw a live grenade and shot several automatic weapons, including a rocket launcher
  • My nickname was "Mmm-Bop!" (some connection to the "Hanson" boy band?)
  • I survived the "gas chamber", after being inflicted with CS riot control gas
  • I sang the National Anthem at our graduation

Reporting To Work

I reported to Ft. Myer, Virgina on 10 December 2004 to begin work with the U.S. Army Band. That evening, I attended my first event, "A Holiday Festival", featuring Kenny Loggins and The U.S. Army Orchestra, Herald Trumpets, Chorus, and Chorale. The U.S. Army Band is huge -- the only thing I can compare it to is a major production company or Opera. The production was at the DAR Constitution Hall, performing to a sold-out house of 3,400 for 4 consecutive nights! We actually had to turn away audience members. The V.I.P. list was enormous and included top "brass" from the military, state and diplomatic leaders. It was amazing. The Band has the most beautiful sound and riot any major orchestra. Audience members actually complained that "Kenny" was a dissapointment and didn't measure up to the Band's quality. I must agree.

Thankfully the Band does not operate like the rest of the Army. Besides the fact that everyone wears a uniform to work and you address people by their rank, it is very much like working for any arts organization. The Band faces some of the same artistic challenges of any major orchestra or opera company -- the most difficult is choosing a season and getting it marketed on time to the right audience under budget. Sounds familiar.

A few weeks ago, the Band was in New York performing at Avery Fisher Hall and Trinity Church on Wall Street ("The Little Chapel that Stood" -- 1 block from ground zero). The Public Affairs Office (where I work) operates as the "marketing department" and in NY they were housed in the Office of Chief of Public Affairs (Joint Chiefs) orchestrating the ticketing, box office, and media/press relations in downtown Manhattan.

Tomorrow, a group of musicians from the Band and some country music stars (including Darryl Wardley) are joining the Command Sergeant Major of the Army Preston on a tour of Southwest Asia (including Afganistan and Iraq). Each soldier and participant was issued bullet-proof vests and was given weapons training. Consider how the Soldiers and civilians in Afganistan and Iraq are "underserved" by the arts. The U.S. Army Band is going where no arts organization can really access.

Next week, Band members will perform for recently admitted wounded Vets returning from the war.

Memberts of the U.S. Army Strings perform regularly at the White House, as do members of the Chorale, the Band's "show choir."

The U.S. Army Band is assigned as the "musical ambassador" to all dignitaries in Washington, D.C., and is specifically assigned to the Military District of Washington for special events to perform for dignitaries, heads of state, and at Arlington Cemetary.

This is an amazing opportunity! I am so grateful to be here and look forward to many amazing adventures to come. If you are ever in the D.C. area, please look us up!

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