Moms of Navy Musicians

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Comment by Susie-Mom of BlackGryphon on October 23, 2009 at 6:04pm

Tiffany, when Gabe auditioned, he was told to choose songs from a list. (Do you have the list?) He had to choose 12 songs from 6 musical genres (2 from each) and would perform 6 of them for his video-taped audition. They judge stage presence as well as singing ability. He also had to sing scales and arpeggios and to sight read two songs. He did not go into the Navy as an MU but as a SEAL candidate. He may decide to return to spec ops if his injury heals completely, and when his MU contract is up, because that is his first love, but for now, he is really enjoying music school. Congratulations to your husband on his bc graduation. What A-school is he waiting for?

Comment by Kathy C., Danielle's Mom on October 19, 2009 at 6:32pm

Danielle went into the music program right from high school. Most of the musicians had already received degrees in music. She never had a music theory class so that was new to her at the school. However she had been playing her flute from 5th-12th grade, and piccolo and sax from about 7th or 8th grade until she graduated.

Comment by Tiffany_O on October 19, 2009 at 5:26pm

Susie, I don't have an audition set up yet, just going through the music, picking out which songs I know or would like to learn, this is mainly a thought right now, my husband is Navy and is almost in A school, just graduated a couple wks ago from basic training. I'd like for him to get done with A school at least before I even start doing all the preceedings for MEPS. As a married couple, we've seen how much strain being apart from each other can take on the both of us. He's seen many people in his ship right now be stressed - he says half of the Navy guys on his ship are married to Navy...which I thought would be rare, but I guess is not. Also, I've been trying to study theory, it's not as easy as I thought it would be, lots of memorizing. I know the beginner stuff, however it starts to get more complicated after a while.
Kathy - I have taken clarinet while in middle school for 3 years, that was my backbone for music. My husband was in the 900 division while in basic training, he was in the service group, helping people to their respected spots, making sure people didn't lean on rails, etc. so I researched who gets picked to be in the 900 division. I think I'd like to make it a career like my husband, however it's only a thought for right now. Marriage comes before anything else and I don't want to *risk* anything. I'd like to see where the Navy takes him, and I do not want to live with a husband, hours and thousands of miles apart from each other.

Comment by Kathy C., Danielle's Mom on October 19, 2009 at 1:22pm

Hi Tiffany, have you taken your ASVAB yet? If not, I suggest doing that first and getting it out of the way. You can find boot camp workouts online just to start getting in shape. My daughter is an MU and plays the flute, piccolo and sax. She also does some of the back up singing and sang a Japanese song at a couple of the concerts. She is with the Seventh Fleet Band and I think they have 3 or 4 vocalists - sometimes other band members will step up and sing as my daughter has. She loves her job. At boot camp, you would probably be placed in a 900 Division if you go in as a vocalist or a musician. The 900 Division performs at the two boot camp graduations prior to their own graduation (which they perform at as well). The 900 Division does drill, band and choir. There were about 90-100 recruits in my daughter's division and they were split up into the three groups - band, choir and drill so usually on Saturdays they practiced that while other divisions practiced their marches and such. All recruits do the same during boot camp so going into the music field doesn't make it any easier or harder :) My daughter came out of boot camp saying she wanted to make a career out of the Navy and plans on at least 20 years :) Good Luck to you!

Comment by Susie-Mom of BlackGryphon on October 19, 2009 at 12:10pm

Hi Tiffany. My son is a vocalist at the school of music. He has been in the Navy for a year and at the school of music for two months. What kind of music do you like to sing? Do you play any instruments? Gabe did not have much instrumental experience before entering the school, but last week he was able to accompany himself on the keyboard while singing MJ's "You Are Not Alone"! He heard a lot about how tough the theory and ear training classes are, but he is doing well and says if you take it seriously and study it isn't bad. Do you have an audition set up?

Comment by Tiffany_O on October 17, 2009 at 2:23am

Hey ladies! I'm wondering if any of you have daughters or sons in the music program that are singers. I am an aspiring musician and am starting to train to audition for the music program for the Navy *haven't done boot camp yet* and am looking for some words of encouragement.

Comment by Kathy C., Danielle's Mom on October 15, 2009 at 2:10pm

Danielle loves it in Japan. A few times she has been a little homesick, but she'll be here for Christmas! Can't wait to see her. When she first went to the School of Music, she thought she was going to the band in Jacksonville, FL but she ended up auditioning for the Seventh Fleet Band. It's quite an experience for her.

Comment by Susie-Mom of BlackGryphon on October 15, 2009 at 1:33pm

Thanks for the welcome, Kathy! Gabe was told he might go to the 7th fleet band, but now he is being told they might need him in the Mid South band, so we are just waiting to see what his orders will be. His scheduled graduation is in February. Either way we will be happy...for him if he gets to travel, for us if he gets mid south, since it is really close to us!
How exciting for your daughter that she gets to see all those awesome places! Is she loving that? If Gabe does go to Japan, we will definitely visit as I've always wanted to visit the far east.

Comment by Kathy C., Danielle's Mom on October 14, 2009 at 4:57pm

Hi Susie, welcome to the musicians group. My daughter has been in just over a year as well and was at the School of Music from Oct 2008-April 2009. She enjoyed it there. Currently she is based in Yokosuka, Japan and plays flute, piccolo and saxophone. Right now her band is out with the USS Blue Ridge (they tour with them a few times a year) I'm waiting to hear how her last few days have been like in Cairns, Australia. She was in Sydney last week and before that in New Caledonia. I've been working on my geography!

Comment by Susie-Mom of BlackGryphon on October 14, 2009 at 2:52pm

Hi everyone. My sailor just recently entered Navy School of Music. He was originally in the SEAL program but had an injury that caused him trouble, though he still talks about going back when he can (in two years). From there he was going to be a GM but then was given the opportunity to audition for vocalist/entertainer. He began music school the first of September. He celebrated his first anniversary with the Navy on October 8. I'm looking forward to getting to know you guys as a new Navy MU mom!

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