Photo By Sgt. Danielle Rodrigues | Marine Muscian Sgt. Justin Grunes and a Ugandan contractor pose for a photo aboard...... read more read more
Subscribe
SAN DIEGO – A dedicated musician is a driven artist; most look for the opportunity to perform under bright lights on stage in front of large crowds for the rest of their lives. Every steadfast musician, no matter the instrument, waits for the day when they can say the countless hours of practice, the performances big and small, the blisters and callouses formed on their hands, and the dedication it took to put their music above anything else finally paid off.
The Musician Enlistment Option Program is an opportunity for talented musicians to first and foremost become United States Marines, but is also a chance for musicians to have a fulltime job performing music all over the world. Marine musicians have the opportunity to become part of one of 10 renowned Marine Corps bands, or become a member of "The Commandant's Own" Marine Drum & Bugle Corps located in Washington, D.C.
“The Marine Corps is known for fighting battles. That’s what we do best; we win wars. It’s hard to impress upon someone that this is an extremely high-quality musical organization as well,” said Staff Sgt Mark Pellon, the Musician Technical Assistant for the 12th Marine Corps District, located in San Diego, California.
While “every Marine a rifleman” is a motto the Marine Corps stands by proudly and a band member could be deployed to a combat zone to post security when our nation is at war, the majority of the time, their days are filled with honing their craft and prepping for performances across the country.
Artists with the highest caliber of talent, both high school and college graduates, are recruited to become part of the world’s most elite fighting force as well as a member of a world-renowned musical league.
Many of these players are recruited through social media, from established bands, universities and educationally sponsored organizations that honor particularly talented musicians.
“I think everything is surrounded at the education level; all of the musicians who are trying to be better are getting some type of education,” said Pellon.
High school students looking to pursue a degree in music or performance know how much time and commitment it takes to get their next level of education. College graduates know how much dedication and devotion it takes to reach their highest potential and have their dream of playing music fulltime become reality. This is what the Marine Corps asks for in their musicians.
“The caliber of what we do has a reputation of being a Marine first and a musician second, but to be a great Marine we have to be great musicians, so there is an artistic drive in each and every one of us,” said Sgt. Justin Grunes, a University of Delaware graduate with a bachelor’s degree in music and performance, and a musician with Marine Corps Band San Diego.
Classically trained students who obtain a degree in music performance aspire to become part of one of the nation’s most renowned orchestras, but the professional music industry is one of the most competitive fields to work in. According to an article in the LA Times about the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the life of a musician looking for steady work and a reliable paycheck is not an easy one. Musicians looking for work fly across the country at their own expense for the chance to audition among a vast number of other talented players for just one seat.
Those players who find themselves unable to gain a seat in an orchestra or band typically find themselves looking for temporary jobs or gigs, which can lead to stress and a lack of financial stability.
“Instead of having the worries and insecurities a musician on the outside would have about trying to get a gig or a group together, we are taken care of by the Marine Corps so we can worry about what’s important, and that’s playing music,” said Grunes.
The MEOP is a special chance for Marines to travel around the world while playing various styles of music such as classical, jazz, rock, pop and military marches for large crowds in prominent venues.
“You will definitely get the opportunity to perform here, you can find challenges for yourself within the program, and this is really a worthwhile experience,” said Cpl. Nathaniel Hawkins, a University of Northern Iowa graduate with a bachelor’s degree in percussion performance, and a musician with Marine Corps Band San Diego.
“You can travel around the world performing music for crowds upwards of 100,000 people, 300 to 400 times a year,” said Pellon. “This is what every musician considers the dream.”
The MEOP offers a way for musicians to earn a secure paycheck and provide for themselves and their families. Junior Marines can even earn as much as a beginning musician in a national orchestra. Marines also have the benefits of full medical and dental care for themselves and their families. They also have a chance to further their education and improve their leadership skills.
“We’re able to provide the lifestyle of a high-level musician traveling and performing, and that’s just an actual tangible thing,” said Pellon. “The fact you get to earn the title of Marine, and people see you wearing our uniform and representing the United States, that’s something you can’t put a dollar sign on.”
| Date Taken: | 03.08.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.08.2016 18:06 |
| Story ID: | 191646 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Hometown: | DUBUQUE, IA, US |
| Hometown: | MIAMI, FL, US |
| Hometown: | NEWARK, DE, US |
| Web Views: | 164 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Passions Followed, Music Made, by 2LT Taylor Schrick, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT