Join the 195th Army Band

Join us

 

Join the 195th Army Band

 

The 195th Army Band currently has openings!

 

Serve your country, pay for college, play music.


 

Members of the 195th Army Band meet one weekend each month to rehearse and perform, and come together an additional 15 days through the year to perform in parades, public concerts, and ceremonies around the state of Maine. We have also participated in the Mardi Gras parade and performed in Fenway Park.

The Army Music Program is open to all talented musicians who are qualified to enlist in the Army National Guard. Members of the 195th Army Band are Citizen-Soldiers from all across the state of Maine and beyond; many of them are music students, professional musicians, or instructors.


 

EDUCATION BENEFITS

 

Your Tuition, Covered

The Maine National Guard Scholarship Program covers up to 100% tuition paid to any state-supported school within the state of Maine, or the average of state-supported tuition in Maine towards a private university education.

Even More Education Assistance

The Federal Tuition Assistance Program provides additional help with college expenses, covering up to 100% of tuition and fees (up to $250 per semester hour, totaling up to $4000 annually) to any accredited public or private college.

Pay Off Student Loans

The Student Loan Repayment Program provides up to $50,000 in payments on qualifying student loans held at the time of enlistment.

Cash for Books, Housing, Food, and More

The Montgomery G.I. Bill provides up to $13,200 cash to help with all education expenses while attending college full- or part-time in monthly payments of up to $367 for 36 months.

 

National Guard Benefits for Musicians

 

A Monthly Paycheck

Soldiers in the National Guard earn a good paycheck for their service, equalling 4 days of active duty pay for each drill weekend.

Earn More From Day One

As a qualified musician, you can receive an automatic advance in pay and rank to Specialist E-4 upon enlistment, raising your starting drill pay to $285/weekend. Serve longer and earn even more.

Insurance, Exclusive Discounts, and More

As a member of the military service, Soldiers in the Maine National Guard qualify for low-cost health and life insurance, access to exclusive shopping deals through The Exchange, and discounts from thousands of retailers and service providers across the nation.

Army National Guard programs and benefits are subject to change; contact your local recruiter for the latest information and additional details


 

 


 

Take the first step: Audition

 

 

The first step to joining the 195th Army Band is to audition. To schedule an audition, please call SFC Romanelli or SSG Binette at 207-945-4144 (select option 2).

 

You can also email us here Richard.B.Romanelli.mil@mail.mil 

 

 message us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/195thMaineArmyBand/

 

 

 

 


 

Audition Requirements

Part 1: Prepared Music

All wind instrumentalists should prepare at least three selections of contrasting styles that emphasize your technical, musical, and stylistic abilities. Selections can include excerpts from classical solos, concert band or orchestral literature, jazz, and more.

Percussion, keyboard, guitar, and bass guitar players should prepare 3-4 selections of contrasting styles; suggested styles include swing, jazz, bebob, blues, Latin (bossa/samba/salsa), and pop/rock/country. One of the selections for percussion, guitar, and bass guitar must be one of these patriotic songs: God Bless the USAGod Bless AmericaAmerican Soldier, or America the Beautiful. Pianists should prepare a solo piano piece appropriate for a dinner reception or cocktail hour.

 

Part 2: Music Preparation

The evening before your audition you will be sent a packet of music of varying styles to prepare for the audition so you can be judged on your ability to quickly prepare for a short-notice performance. Percussionists will receive music to prepare on drum set, concert and marching snares, and mallets. Keyboard, guitar, and bass guitar players will also be expected to play the written melody, comp over changes, and improvise a solo in the appropriate style.

 

For more information on specific audition requirements for your instrument, visit our additional audition information page