The U.S. Army Strings

Commercial/Jazz Guitar

Apply before: April 21, 2025

Audition date(s): June 16, 2025

The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the U.S. Army’s premier musical organization, announces a vacancy for COMMERCIAL/JAZZ GUITAR with The U.S. Army Strings.

The U.S. Army Strings, a premier ensemble of the U.S. Armed Forces, provide a musical backdrop for many of the country’s most notable events. Their mission is to serve as musical ambassadors for high-level military and government events at home and abroad, as well as in concert for public audiences. The elite musicians that comprise this ensemble have been trained at the most prestigious music conservatories and universities in the country. This versatile ensemble performs as The U.S. Army Strolling Strings, mixed chamber ensembles, and The U.S. Army Orchestra.

The U.S. Army Strolling Strings are one of the most requested musical ensembles by our nation’s military leadership. Since its inception during the Eisenhower administration, the group has provided musical entertainment at the White House for every president. Missions include performing for the Department of Defense, the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, kings, queens, and heads of state from countries worldwide. The Strolling Strings offer audiences the unique perspective of being amongst the musicians who elegantly move about the venue playing their instruments. The Strolling Strings offer a wide array of memorized repertoire, including patriotic, classical, international, jazz, Broadway, bluegrass, and exclusive music arrangements for special guests and events.

Audition Information

Auditions will be held at Brucker Hall, home of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” at 400 McNair Road, Fort Myer, Virginia 22211-1306.

 Travel expenses will be paid for by the U.S. Army for invited civilian candidates who pass the pre-screening round for this audition pending enlistment qualification and funding approval.  The audition will include the performance of prepared excerpts and sight-reading. 

Applicants that advance from the pre-screening recorded round will be invited to a semi-final and final round on June 16th, 2025.
 

Prescreening recordings will be due by April 21st, 2025
 

All applicants must meet basic enlistment standards for The US Army including:

• Age 17-34 at the time of the audition
• Currently hold U.S. Citizenship
• Meet height/weight standards
• Meet medical, moral and physical requirements. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, recent surgeries, or criminal history, please consult with your local Army Recruiter prior to applying to confirm enlistment eligibility.
• Must be eligible for secret security clearance

Audition Repertoire

Download Recording Repertoire List

The full audition packet including all excerpts will be emailed to candidates who submit an application.

To Apply, Please Submit The Following

• One Page Resume (PDF only), including your current email, home address, phone number, and birthdate.
• Current military applicants must also include their Enlisted Records Brief or equivalent, Commander's Letter of Intent to Release, and last two NCOERs if applicable.

Please email application materials to Sergeant First Class Matthew Evans.

Preferred Application File Formats

• PDF files only for all documents
• Audio files should be submitted as .mp3 or .wav only
• Each excerpt should be submitted as a separate audio file
• Upload audio files to a Google Drive or Dropbox folder and share the direct link in the body of application email

All application materials must be submitted electronically to the Auditions Coordinator, Sergeant First Class Matthew Evans.

Contact the Auditions Coordinator

Applicants with questions or concerns regarding the US Army Strings Commercial/Jazz Guitar audition may contact Sergeant First Class Matthew Evans.