puffycheeks
(25 points)
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Hello everyone! I'm a bass trombone performance major, going into my senior year of undergrad studies. I'm a convert from tenor (as obviously most are) and have been playing bass trombone for three years now. I'm the only bass trombonist at my school, so I get stuck playing in every ensemble that requires one (8 different ensembles total last semester). This has it's ups and downs... I like to think that I have pretty strong chops because of how much I play; but I know being in so many ensembles is holding me back from practicing the finer points of trombone playing on my own. I bought a brand new Edwards bass trombone about exactly a year ago, and I absolutely love it (especially coming from an old Benge 190). I'd recomend Edwards to anyone, especially with their quality and service. Anyway, enough with the introduction... I'm going into my senior year of college, which is scary considering I have no clue where I'll be or what I'll be doing a year from now. I can see myself teaching someday, though that's not what I want to be doing immediately after graduating. I would rather get out and travel, see the world a little and gain experience, than settle down into a high school band room right after graduating. No offense to high school band directors, or anyone here who has taken that route, of course. Also, just like anyone else I'd like to make a decent ammount of money. The one route I find that can potentially suit what I'm looking for is the Military. Being in something like the Army Band or Air Force band gives you experience, a very nice ammount of money (including paying off all Federal loans, health/life/dental insurence, a very nice signing bonus, etc.), and the chance to travel the world. This is the route I'm thinking of taking, but I'm looking for some advice/words of wisdom from the wise from anyone who either is currently in an Armed Forces band system, has been, has taken an audition, or anyone thinking of taking a similar path. Honestly, I have no clue what to expect when I take an audition; and honestly, I have no clue if I'm good enough to be accepted. I'm confident in my abilities as a player, but I know there is a ton of room for improvement. I'm going to continue to practice my butt off, but it's starting to be crunch time here. I'm in a tough spot, because I've decided that this is what I really want to do, but what happens if I don't get accepted? I live in a fairly remote area, and there aren't gigs left and right for me to take. I won't have an education degree (which sometimes I already regret) so my chances of teaching are limited. I also won't have the money on hand to immediately go to grad school. I will have a career in music, becuase that's what I've decided I want. However, if the Military gig doesn't work out, it seems my options are fairly limited. I'm sure there are thousands of people in somewhat similar situations, so I'm looking for any advice. The Military seems like such a good route to me (despite knowing that you've committed at least four years of your life) that there aren't many other options that compare. After those four years I'd have a decent savings, no debt, experience, be a much better player, a better person, a free masters degree eventually, probably a seat in a very good orchestra, and probably the ability to attain a decent college teaching position. And that's what I want. Anyone who wants to throw in their $.02 about me and/or my situation please do so, that's why I wrote this.
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