What is the difference between a Soldier in the Army band and a civilian musician?
With the Army, the benefits are excellent. We have health and dental care, and great educational benefits. The starting salary as an E-6 is pretty good compared to a civilian musician. It’s a wonderful opportunity for musicians who love what they do to serve their country. We’ve performed for presidents, the Army chief of staff, the Pope and the Queen of England. It’s such a unique job where you have the opportunity to perform for world leaders and to the public in Washington, D.C. and other areas. It’s always such a thrill to perform, I think music has its own way of bringing patriotism to the public. Q: What’s your best memory of performing with the band? A: I have some great memories, but there are always a few that stick out. We perform with some local Arlington public school bands, and one we performed at was my son’s high school. Getting to share the stage with him, he’s a drummer, was such a proud moment. A few weeks after 9⁄11, we went to ground zero and played for the workers
