[Trombone-l] Trombone-l Digest, Vol 50, Issue 11

[Jeff Bowlsby]

I don't post much to this list, but I had a great time in the USAF band, Strategic Air Command HQ, Omaha, 1977-1981.
 
I auditioned with the March AFB band from Riverside, CA while they toured.  While I had prepared pieces for my audition after one of their performances, the CO only heard me warming up from down the hall, and when they came into the room where I was playing, they said 'Congratulations you are in' or something to that effect.  I never played the prepared material.
 
At basic training in San Antonio in July 1977, I volunteered for the drum/bugle corps.  While the others were out mowing lawns and doing KP, I was in an air conditioned room working out on a tenor bugle.  I remember having to send away for my Bach 11C from home because I didn't expect to play then.  It was generally fun for a 19 year old and I got out of KP and the heat.  Once you became aware of the mind games the drill sergeants attempted on you, it was nothing to take too seriously.  I just did what I was told to do and it was a simple process.  I wish I was that buffed now after that training...
 
I went into the AF not so much to be a musician, but primarily to get the GI bill for my education costs.  While I was in, I worked about 25 hours a week in the band, the rest of the time I went to the university and worked off base in my chosen profession.  I played mostly 1st/2nd chair bone out of about 8-9 trombone players in the band -  we had a symphonic band, and 2 big bands and other ensembles - a 60 piece outfit in total.  I was one of only a couple band members that did not have at least a Bachelor degree in music, several even had their Masters.  So many nights were spent with the big band in full dress uniforms at the O-club formal events for the officers, then onto midnight chow.  3-egg omlettes at 2am...great memories.  My ears are still ringing from sitting in front of the lead trumpet.
 
My only regret is that I wish I had focused more on my playing then, there was opportunity, I just had career goals outside of music that distracted me back then.  In the meantime, I came back to playing and its more fun this time around, not having to play for $$$.
 
Jeff Bowlsby

--- On Tue, 3/10/09, trombone-l-request at samford.edu <trombone-l-request at samford.edu> wrote:

You guys who got to do some music in basic....wow.