Careers :: Bugle Musician

Perform with The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps as a Bugle Musician. The position requires the use of a single valve B-flat bugle. In addition to performing with the Corps, buglers provide support for military funerals. The Fife and Drum Corps is comprised of 70 musicians whose main duty is the ceremonial support of military functions within the National Capital Region. Ceremonial duties are conducted both indoors and outdoors and involve prolonged periods of standing and marching. The Corps’ work schedule varies and involves daytime work hours with intermittent night, weekend, and travel commitments. Applicants for Fife and Drum Corps vacancies are pre- screened for qualification, and a select number of candidates will be invited to attend a live audition at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia.

Civilian Applicants: If selected for the live audition, your local recruiter will arrange to have audition travel expenses paid for by the U.S. Army. [USAREC Reg. 11-1 Appendix B - 2 (d)6 and USAREC Reg. 37-17 Section 3-8 (b)1]. Civilian Applicants ARE NOT under obligation to enlist unless they are offered and accept a position with the Fife and Drum Corps.

The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps supports an environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute fully to the organizations success [regardless of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin.]

Requirements

Please submit an audition portfolio that includes the following:

Information sheet

• Height and weight
• Date and place of birth
• Current Referenes - 2 professional, 1 personal
• Unlisted YouTube Recording Link

Cover Letter

• The cover letter element is an opportunity to portray your personality; it should complement, not duplicate, your attached resume.
• Address to the Commander of The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
• Detail what you, as an individual, can offer the organization
• Mention specifically how your qualifications meet the position requirements

A recent full-length photograph

• Professional appearance and high quality is recommended
• Please ensure entire body is visible - top of head, all limbs, hands, and feet.

One-page resume

• Education
• Performance / occupational experience
• All prior marching experience
• Additional information pertaining to this position

Letters of Reference

• Two professional letters of reference included with your audition portfolio

High quality recording

Submit an unlisted YouTube videorecording consisting of 10 minutes of music and adhering to the following requirements:

• The video image should be level and contain a view of the performer from head to toe.
• Professional appearance is highly recommended.
• Ensure your video functions properly.
• Presence of a splice or edit within a selection will constitute elimination.
• Video must be compiled into a single YouTube link.
• Include the following (music linked here):
  • The required calls:
    • To the Color, Tattoo, Reveille
  • The following pieces:
    • King of Sweden's March, La Mourisque
  • The following selections:
    • Haydn - Concerto in E-flat Movement II, and Charlier - 36 Etudes Transcendantes No. 16
  • An optional solo or etude of your choice (no more than 10 minutes in length) may also be included       
   
  

Military applicants please include the following:

• All required material
• A copy of your SRB or service-equivalent
• A letter of release from your Commander
• Official Military photo - DA photo or service-equivalent
• Full-length photo in uniform - professional appearance/quality recommended. Please ensure entire body is visible - top of head, all limbs, hands, and feet.

Audition Portfolios must be submitted electronically, by email, prior to the deadline (11:59pm on due date).
All file names must include your first and last name.

ALL APPLICANTS: Email materials to auditions.TOGFDC@gmail.com at one time. Please do not submit files individually over a period of time. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your portfolio. If you do not have confirmation within 24 hours of submission, please contact the audition coordinator. Portfolios must be submitted by email no later than 11:59pm EST on June 8, 2020. All file names must include your first and last name. 

Audition

A select number of candidates will be invited to attend a live audition at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall on September 2 - 3, 2020. For civilian applicants, local recruiters will arrange to have all travel expenses for the audition paid for by the U.S. Army. [USAREC Reg. 11-1 Appendix B - 2 (d)6 and USAREC Reg. 37-17 Section 3-8 (b)1]. Due to the high visibility and unique requirements of the position, the audition itself will be a two-day process and include the following:

• Observing the Fife and Drum Corps in a Department of the Army Retirement Ceremony
• Marching Instruction and Assessment
• 30-minute Standing Assessment
• Memorized selections which will be provided
• Prepared selections which will be provided
• Sight Reading
• Marching and Playing with a bugle section
• Personal interview

Questions

For further information regarding bugle auditions for the Fife and Drum Corps please contact:

Staff Sergeant Erin Ernst
Audition Coordinator NCOIC
703-696-8521
auditions.TOGFDC@gmail.coml