Military Musicians

Wednesday, November 28, 2007; C14

Pershing's Own

There are nine ensembles (including jazz) in the 250-member U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." The musicians have unique uniforms, adopted in the late 1960s.

¿ They are patterned after 19th-century military uniforms, with Civil War-style inverted rank stripes on the sleeves. (The gold braid on the left shoulder is for decoration.)


¿ The coats have eight buttons down the front, representing the eight notes of the musical scale. Each button is stamped with the Great Seal of the United States.


¿ The high collars are modeled after those on the uniforms of General John J. Pershing, who commanded American forces in World War I.


A Career in the Military

The U.S. Army is the world's largest employer of musicians, with some 5,000 people playing for more than 100 bands. The Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard also employ musicians. In auditions, musicians are required to sight-read music and perform advanced pieces.


The Big Band Sound

The Army Blues Jazz Ensemble has 18 players: five saxophonists, five trumpeters, four trombonists, one guitarist, one bass player, a pianist and a drummer. Other Army bands include flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, euphonium, tuba, percussion, strings, fife and drum, and a vocalist or chorus.

Ellie