The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” announces a vacancy for SPLIT 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 July 15-16, 2024.


Applications for the pre-screened round will be due May 20th, 2024

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