Performing John Williams trumpet solo, “With Malice Toward None” from the motion picture Lincoln on tour in Los Angles, CA.
Kevin Paul, trumpet, currently serves in The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” previously served in the U.S. Army Field Band, and has auditioned for every military band in Washington D.C. In addition to his rich and exciting performance career in the U.S. Army Band, he runs militarytrumpetjobs.com and tours and performs with the Army Music Trumpet Ensemble. Kevin is a wealth of knowledge on all things military music and I am so glad he took the time to answer these questions. There are so many fantastic career opportunities for musicians in the U.S. military bands and I hope this interview can shed some more light on the subject for anyone interested in pursuing these jobs. Please enjoy and feel free to leave questions or comments for Kevin below or in the official Audition Playbook discussion group.
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First, can you give a brief overview of your audition journey up to your current position?
My audition journey has been a long and humbling one. I was a late bloomer and didn’t start doing well at auditions until I was in the second year of my masters. My first professional audition was for the “Presidents Own” Marine Band my sophomore year of college. I had no clue what I needed to do to prepare. I remember being so nervous and really bombing the audition. After 4 years of attempts, I learned a lot about myself as a person and player. I think the turning point for me was that I figured out how to prepare a list and became comfortable performing under high levels of pressure. I also learned the hard way that there are no shortcuts when it comes to audition preparation. I recorded myself every day, kept a strict practice journal, and constantly bugged people to listen to me. I won my first audition in 2013 for the U.S. Army Field Band while serving as acting principal trumpet of the China National Symphony Orchestra during a U.S. tour. 2 years later I had my first daughter, Emma, and decided that I could no longer tour for 100 days per year. This realization led me to start taking auditions again. Auditioning is a unique, perishable skill in and of itself; getting back on the circuit after an extended absence is tough. In 2018 after several more auditions (28 total), I won my current job with the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.”
How many military band auditions have you taken? For which groups?
I’ve taken about 20 military band auditions…. I have auditioned for every military band in Washington D.C. at least once.
How did the auditions differ per group or branch of service?
There’s not a lot of difference in the auditions process regardless of the band or branch of service. Most military organizations use a digitally recorded pre-screen round, but some still use a “cattle-call.” For a regional band audition, the applicant sets up a time to play for a local recruiter; for premier bands, the applicant travels to the band and performs for a panel consisting of members of the section and command staff. The biggest difference in the auditions from group to group is the requested repertoire. For example, The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” has a very different mission than the “Hellcats” at West Point or any of the regional bands and the lists reflect that. You’ll see mostly band and orchestral excerpts on the “Pershing’s Own” list, several bugle calls on the “Hellcats” list, and a mix of everything including commercial playing on the Regional Bands list.
Warming Up before PBS TV broadcast of Capitol 4th at the Capitol
What are the biggest differences you’ve found between standard orchestral auditions and military band auditions, in terms of both your preparation and the actual audition process?
I don’t believe there are any differences in preparation other than the fact that it’s different repertoire. The actual audition process is similar as well, there are always multiple rounds and the audition includes solo and section playing. The only difference is that the applicant must pass M.E.P.S. before the audition so that the band knows the applicant is fit for military service.
How would you suggest people prepare differently for a military band audition versus an orchestral audition, if at all?
I would suggest that the [trumpet] applicant become familiar with the 1st cornet parts on an array of marches because they are commonly requested for sight-reading. I would also prepare for a live interview, be prepared to talk about yourself and other strengths you have. Other than that, it’s listening, physical reps, and mental conditioning just like any other audition.
Did you always intend on becoming a military musician?
I had military bands on my radar since middle school. I remember going to a Hollywood Bowl performance when I was 15 years old to see the LA Philharmonic with John Williams. They had the US Army Herald Trumpets from the Army Band “Pershing’s Own” performing with them as guests. I remember these incredible looking uniforms and hearing the epic sound of the Heralds on the opening of “Summon the Heroes.” My grandfather, who is a Korean War Vet, was with me at the concert. We both thought that was the coolest way to serve. It’s funny how things turn out — one of the guys who played that concert with the Herald trumpets is still serving and hired me at my audition!
For readers not totally familiar with how military bands are structured in the U.S., can you briefly describe the difference between premier and fleet bands?
Bands in premier status are permanent duty stations, so those musicians do not deploy or move several times over their career. In addition to that, premier band jobs require highly competitive auditions and advance the winner to a rank of E-6 upon arrival to the band. Regional bands are given a rank of E-4 upon arrival to the band and do not have permanent duty stations. Although one may have a “preferred” station, the service member will be required to change bands according to the needs of the service branch. Auditions for regional bands take place by appointment with a Band Liaison and if accepted, the service member is assigned a duty station.
What is your day-to-day life like as a member of Pershing’s Own? How does that differ from your time in the Field Band?
I feel very fortunate to have been a member of these two great organizations. My daily schedule can vary greatly. My primary mission at “Pershing’s Own” is providing musical support for full and standard honors funerals at Arlington National Cemetery for our nation’s fallen heroes. I also perform at White House and Pentagon arrival ceremonies, wreath laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in honor of visiting Heads of State and other dignitaries, as well as events at memorials and museums on the National Mall. In addition to my duties as a performer, I serve as an assistant auditions coordinator, unit historian, and chamber music producer.
Performing at a Pittsburgh Steelers game with the US Army Herald Trumpets
As a member of the The U.S. Army Field Band, I served as a trumpet player in the concert band and Federal Brass quintet. I performed on 3 major concert tours over a span of 100 days every year. During the time at home between tours, the band rehearsed most weekday mornings for 2-3 hours in preparation for upcoming tours and local concerts. Federal Brass would also rehearse once or twice a week after rehearsals or on designated days for chamber group.
As a member of both of these Army premier bands, I had to participate in bi-annual physical training tests, quarterly weigh-ins, and random drug tests each year. I have to exercise consistently throughout the year to maintain the level of physical fitness to do pass weigh-ins and tests.
What’s the best part about your job?
This is a hard question to answer. If I had to pick, I would say I really enjoy performing with the US Army Herald Trumpets and as a bugler at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
What’s the most frustrating part about your job?
I would say for me the most frustrating part of my job is maintaining a consistent exercise routine. I just have to remember, I’m getting paid to exercise and it’s good for me in the long run.
What has been your most special or meaningful performance since enlisting?
After the wreath laying ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the passing of RFK meeting President Clinton and other diplomats.
I feel lucky that I have had so many meaningful performances so far in my career; here are a few that were special to me. At “Pershing’s Own” I performed an RFK 50th anniversary wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with President Clinton, President Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Kennedy Family and other guests. They requested to meet me and the other Tomb Guards after the ceremony. Another really meaningful moment at “Pershing’s Own” was performing the anthem with Army Herald Trumpets at a Pittsburgh Steelers game where I got to bring my father. We ended up getting to watch the game on the field next to the players. During my time at the Field Band I got to perform John Williams trumpet solo, “With Malice Toward None with the Band” on a 40-day concert tour from my hometown in Los Angeles, California across the country back to Washington D.C.
What misconceptions do you think people have about life as a military musician?
The biggest misconception would be the perception of the balance between being a soldier and musician. I don’t think many people understand exactly what the job entails. Missions vary greatly depending on which band you serve. A Soldier might play ceremonies, concerts, rock shows, quintet recitals, big band sets, jazz combos, and everything else in between. In addition to a Soldier’s performance duties, they also pick up extra duties as they progress in their career. Each unit has different “shops” (production, operations, audio/video, social media, instrument repair, chamber music team, auditions team, etc) that contribute to the success of a band’s mission.
Everyone always wants to know… how bad was Basic Training?
Basic Combat Training wasn’t bad! It’s a very unique experience for everyone. Regardless of one’s level of fitness, BCT can be stressful and uncomfortable at times. BCT has a low failure rate and is designed so that most anyone can pass. Embrace the opportunity to get into good physical shape and try things like throwing grenades and qualifying on an M16 (now M4) rifle at the range. Stay positive during the 10 weeks away from your instrument and know that you will easily be able to regain all of the skill and dexterity you had before BCT within a few weeks after graduation.
Picture at the White House before the Arrival ceremony for President Macron.
It’s not all Sousa marches — what kind of repertoire do you get to play?
Every military music organization is different and unique to its mission. Most bands are made up of different components such as concert band, jazz band, chamber and ceremonial ensembles. Trumpet players have an even more unique role because they can also serve as a bugler, often performing ceremonial calls such as Taps. In general, military musicians play a wide variety of classical, orchestral, commercial and patriotic repertoire on a regular basis.
Tell me a little about your website — militarytrumpetjobs.com — how did that come to be?
It all started when my former teacher, Tom Smith, contacted me about a current student of his who was considering auditioning for a military band. I soon realized that my teacher and his student had been grossly misinformed about the process of joining a military band, and that gave me the idea to start www.militarytrumpetjobs.com. With the help of my best friend and colleague, Staff Sgt. Ryan Brewer from The United States Army Field Band, we created a resource for performers and educators that contains the history, unit missions, audition process, excerpts, and current vacancies for trumpet jobs within the U.S. military. Our goal is to inform all musicians about the opportunities that military bands offer and show them that these jobs are viable career options.
What is AMTE and how was it formed?
The Army Music Trumpet Ensemble (AMTE) is a group of enlisted Soldier-Musicians serving in The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, The U.S. Army Field Band, The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, The West Point Band, and The 10th Mountain Division Band and was formed as a physical extension of www.militarytrumpetjobs.com. This is the first ensemble of its kind to represent each of the premier and regional bands within the Army. AMTE has a dual mission to tell the Army story by performing for the American public and to educate the next generation about the opportunity to serve as a musician in the U.S. Army. Masterclasses for university students cover a range of topics including audition preparation, audition packet composition, as well as discussions on the role of each player in a section. By sharing diverse backgrounds and experiences, AMTE strives to entertain, educate, and inspire the sons and daughters of the United States. To date, AMTE has performed as a guest artist ensemble for National Trumpet Competition and presented recitals and masterclasses at 15 universities and colleges across the country. In February 2020, AMTE will perform at several universities in Florida and will be featured in a USF Wind Ensemble concert.
“Accompanied Taps” arranged by Jari Villanueva. Performed by Staff Sgt. Kevin Paul of The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own." Accompanied by the Army Music Trumpet Ensemble.
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Kevin Paul grew up in Los Angeles, California and is currently a member of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the Ceremonial Band and performs regularly with the Herald Trumpets. In 2018, Staff Sgt. Paul became a founding member of the Army Music Trumpet Ensemble, a group comprised of trumpeters from all factions of Army Music: Premier Bands, Regional Bands, Reserve Bands, and National Guard Bands. From 2013 to 2018, Kevin served with The United States Army Field Band and Brass quintet. As a soloist, Staff Sgt. Paul has been featured with The U.S. Army Field Band on several concert tours, including performances of George Gershwin's Preludes (arranged for trumpet) and John William’s With Malice Toward None from the motion picture "Lincoln." Before joining the Army, Kevin served as Acting Principal Trumpet of the China National Symphony in 2013.
Kevin attended the Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he earned a Masters Degree in Music. He also holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Kevin studied with many current and former members of the New York Philharmonic including Vincent Penzarella, Tom Smith, Phil Smith, and the former principal trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera, Mark Gould.
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