The U.S. Army Blues

Lead Trumpet

Apply before: June 9, 2025

Audition date(s): August 11, 2025 - August 12, 2025

The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” announces a vacancy for LEAD TRUMPET with the Army’s premier jazz ensemble, The U.S. Army Blues.

The U.S. Army Blues, part of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” is the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Army. After informal beginnings in 1970, this 18-piece ensemble became an official element of the United States Army Band in 1972. Comprised of exceptional jazz musicians from across the nation, the Army Blues strive to fulfill their mission through public concerts, educational outreach, and the preservation of the tradition of America’s unique art form: Jazz.

The Army Blues have performed at prestigious venues such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, Birdland, and Blues Alley in Washington, DC. The band has shared the stage with jazz greats such as Dave Brubeck, Doc Severinsen, Stanley Turrentine, Slide Hampton, Dr. Billy Taylor, Kevin Mahogany, and Terrell Stafford. The Army Blues perform at national conferences such as the Jazz Education Network annual conference, the International Trumpet Guild conference, the International Trombone Conference, and the Midwest Band Clinic. The musicians of the Army Blues perform at the White House, the Vice President’s Residence, the Department of State, and for high-level military protocol and ceremonial events in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

Main duties will include rehearsals and performances with The U.S. Army Blues (large jazz ensemble). Additional duties include playing in jazz combos, The U.S. Army Band Downrange (a 3 horn Pop/Funk/R&B popular music group), The Latin Music Ensemble, and The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band.

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.

This audition will have a pre-screening taped round. 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. Military personnel should refer to their respective units to request travel funding. The audition will include the performance of prepared excerpts and sight-reading. Applicants will be invited to a semi-final and final round on August 11-12, 2025.
 

Applications for the pre-screened round will be due June 9th, 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.

To Apply For The Vacancy, Please Submit The Following:

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

To download audition materials for this submission contact Sergeant First Class Christopher Buckley

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 Christopher Buckley

Live Audition Repertoire

Download Recording Rep List

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

Contact an Auditions Coordinator

Applicants with questions or concerns regarding the LEAD TRUMPET audition may contact Sergeant First Class Christopher Buckley