MUSICIANS NEEDED
The 144th Army Band has positions available playing the following instruments:
Flute & Piccolo • Clarinet • Saxophone • Bassoon • Oboe • Trumpet • French Horn
Trombone • Euphonium • Tuba • Percussion • Guitar • Bass • Keyboard/Piano
Bring Out The Best In Your Music
Members of the 144th Army Band meet one weekend each month for rehearsals and performances. They spend an additional fifteen days throughout the year performing in parades, public
concerts or military ceremonies featuring the ceremonial band, concert band, jazz big band, jazz
combo and other small group ensembles.
The Army Band Program is open to talented musicians, male or female, who are qualified to
enlist in the Army National Guard and can pass a prearranged audition. The band is made up of
38 citizen-soldiers from all over the state of Illinois and the surrounding area. Many members are
students, music teachers, or are otherwise associated with the music field in their civilian pursuits.
Education Benefits for Musicians
Illinois National Guard Grant - attend any Illinois state-funded university or community
college of your choice, tuition free for up to 4 years. Good for graduate or post graduate studies.
Federal Tuition Assistance Program - will fund 100% tuition and fees, not to exceed
$250 per semester hour, up to $4000 per fiscal year at any accredited public or private college.
$50,000 Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) - if eligible, the SLRP will pay up to
$50,000 in student loans to those who have a qualifying student loan at the time of enlistment.
Montgomery G.I. Bill - receive up to $13,200 cash to help with your education expense
while attending college full-time or partime.
Earn Extra Money - you will earn a good paycheck for serving in the Army National Guard.
Guard members receive the equivalent of 4 days of active duty pay per drill weekend.
Civilian Acquired Skills Program - qualified musicians will be given an automatic advance
in pay grade to E-4 upon enlistment. Start earning more money immediately.
Note: Army National Guard programs and benefits are subject to change. Contact your local recruiter for the latest information.
Weekend Drill Pay
Pay
Grade
E-1
E-2 E-3 E-4**
E-4 E-5 Years of
Service
< 2 Years < 2 Years 2 Yrs < 2 Years
3 Yrs 4 Yrs Weekend
Drill Pay
$204.20 $228.92 $255.84 $266.60
$295.44 $340.68 Hourly
Rate*
$12.76
$14.30
$15.99
$16.66
$18.47
$21.29
* Approximate hourly rate is based on an eight hour
duty day. Actual duty day will vary and can exceed eight
hours. ** Enlisted as a qualified musician under the
civilian acquired skills program.
Montgomery G.I. Bill Rates
Course
Hours
12+
9-11
6-9
1-5
Monthly
Benefit
$367.00
$274.00
182.00
$91.75
Maximum
Months
36
48
72
144
The First Step:
The Audition
The first step to joining the Army Band
Program is the audition. Auditions are
typically held in Springfield and can
be scheduled by contacting the 144th
Army Band Director at 217-761-3699.
Discounts And More Additional Guard Benefits
Always Ready, Always There
The National Guard
Earn Extra Money - You will earn a good paycheck for serving
in the National Guard. Guard members receive the equivalent
of 4 days of active duty pay per drill weekend. The following are
based on 2014 rates:
The National Guard is America’s oldest armed force - dating back
to 1636 - and the only branch that serves both the Federal and
State governments. The Guard answers to both the President of
the United States and the Governor of their respective state.
Pay
Grade
E-1
E-2 E-3 E-4**
E-4 E-5 E-6 This means that the National Guard can be mobilized any time
natural disasters or other emergencies occur within America’s
borders, and also serve alongside U.S. combat forces in other
parts of the world. The Guard’s roots go back to North
America’s earliest colonial militias: farmers, shopkeepers, and
everyday citizens willing to put their lives on hold and pick up
their weapons to defend their communities and their country.
Years of
Service
< 2 Years < 2 Years 2 Yrs < 2 Yrs
3 Yrs 4 Yrs 6 Yrs Weekend
Drill Pay
$204.20 $228.92 $255.84 $266.60
$295.44 $340.68 $395.32 Hourly
Rate*
$12.76
$14.31
$15.99
$16.66
$18.47
$21.29
$24.71
* Approximate hourly rate is based on an eight hour duty day. Actual duty day will vary and
can exceed eight hours. ** Persons enlisting under the Civilian Acquired Skills Program
Civilian Acquired Skills Program - Persons with unique skills
acquired through civilian education and experience, such as musicians, will
be given an automatic advance in pay grade to E-4 upon enlistment.
Today, Citizen-Soldiers live, work, and go to school in cities and
towns all across America and its territories. Just as they have for
over 370 years, the men and women of the National Guard are
trained, willing, and proud to assist their neighbors during emergencies, and to protect their nation whenever they are called.
Always ready, always there. That is the National Guard.
Instruments and Supplies - Army musicians are issued all the
gear they need to perform. Instruments, reeds, mutes, etc. are included.
Healthcare - Military members and their families can purchase inexpensive health coverage from TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS), for the
top-quality healthcare they deserve. Your recruiter can offer additional
details, or you can find out more through TRICARE.
Life Insurance - Low-cost life insurance plans are available for Guard
Soldiers—up to $400,000. Family members are eligible for Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI), which offers insurance to
spouses and dependent children of Guard members insured under SGLI.
For more information call: 217-761-3699
www.il.ngb.army.mil/army/unitweb/144band
www.facebook.com/144thArmyBand
Bring Out The Best
In Your Music
Step One:
The Audition
National Guard Education
Benefits for Musicians
Whether you’re performing to boost Soldiers’ morale, entertain
civilians, or assist with military ceremonies, you’ll be part of a
group of talented musicians who support the Army’s mission
around the world.
The first step to joining the 144th Army Band is the audition.
These are typically held in Springfield, IL and can be scheduled
by contacting the 144th Army Band office by phone or email.
The general audition format is explained below. Each instrument
has specific requirements for the audition, which can be found at
www.bands.army.mil.
National Guard Grant - With the Illinois National Guard
grant, you can attend any Illinois state-funded university or
community college of your choice, tuition free for up to 4 years.
The grant can be used for a maximum of 8 semesters or the
equivalent at any Illinois 2- or 4-year public college for undergraduate or graduate study.
The Audition Format
100% Federal Tuition Assistance - The Federal Tuition
Assistance (FTA) Program will fund 100% of tuition, not to
exceed $250 per semester hour, up to $4000 per fiscal year.
FTA may be used at any accredited public or private college or
vocational school.
And as a member of the Army Band Program, you’ll be given
the creative freedom to perform a wide variety of music styles
alongside fellow musicians who have the same passion for
music that you do. What’s more, you’ll play professional-quality
instruments, receive educational benefits like money for college,
and a host of other benefits.
Strengthen More Than
Just Your Music
The Army Band Program is open to talented musicians, male or
female, who are qualified to enlist in the Army and can pass a
prearranged audition. But more importantly, the program is for
anyone who has a passion for his/her instrument, a love for performing, and a desire to serve their country.
Once you are accepted into the Army Band Program, you will be
required to complete nine weeks of Basic Combat Training (BCT)
— just like any other recruit joining the Army — where you will
learn the fundamentals of being a Soldier.
After BCT, you will complete 10 weeks of intense musical study
during Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at the Army School of
Music in Virginia Beach, VA. After AIT, you will be assigned to the
144th Army Band and begin doing what you love - practicing,
playing, and performing - as a member of the Illinois National
Guard.
Each instrument audition consists of four sections. The Army
prizes musicians who can demonstrate mature musicianship,
have varied skill sets, and can perform effectively with little
rehearsal.
1. Ceremonial Music: given by the 144th Army Band well
before the audition. Selections vary by instrument.
2. Prepared Music: 3-5 excerpts of solo literature, not
more than 5 minutes total. Grade 4 or higher.
3. Quickly-Prepared Music: given the day before
the audition. Includes a combination of march, concert band,
chamber, and jazz/commercial styles.
4. Additional Skills (optional): bonus points awarded
for improvising, singing, or performing on a second instrument.
Rhythm Section Auditions: Percussion, bass, guitar, and
keyboard auditions have specific requirements for the Prepared
Music section. Contact your band liaison for details.
After your successful audition, your band liaison and a National
Guard recruiter will direct you in the next steps to enlistment.
$50,000 Student Loan Repayment - The Student Loan
Repayment Program (SLRP) will pay up to $50,000 in student
loans to those who have an existing student loan obligation at the
time of enlistment in the Army National Guard.
Montgomery G.I. Bill - With the Montgomery G.I. Bill
Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), you may be eligible to receive up
to $13,200 cash to help with your education expenses while
attending college full-time or part-time.This money is paid directly
to you in monthly increments while you are attending school.
Course
Hours
12 or more
9-11
6-9
1-5
Monthly
Benefit
$367.00
$274.00
182.00
$91.75
Maximum
Months
36
48
72
144
If you qualify, you could earn an additional $350 per month with
the Montgomery G.I. Bill “Kicker”.
Note: Incentive programs and benefits are subject to change. Contact your
local recruiter for the latest information.
The 144th Army Band includes the following instruments:
Flute & Piccolo • Clarinet • Saxophone • Bassoon • Oboe • Trumpet • French Horn • Trombone
• Euphonium • Tuba • Percussion • Guitar • Bass • Keyboard/Piano