Music Alumni Shine in Uniform

Military performing organizations in 2020 represent the highest levels of musical execution, on par with professional orchestras and jazz ensembles.

It is no surprise that the Florida State University College of Music, one of the premiere music programs in the country, is so well represented in the ranks of the nation’s military bands. Because music has such unique power to stir emotions and call us to action, there has long been an important role for musicians alongside all manner of military function. In addition to instilling feelings of patriotism and valor, the cadence of military music aids in uniform marching and maneuvering, so it is not surprising that musicians feature prominently in military ceremony.

In times past, musicians playing brass and percussion instruments even served a vital role in communication amongst units in the field. Their loud calls and cadences organized action prior to the availability of radios and more recent advances in communication. Today’s service band musicians continue to provide such functional roles while also engaging in concert performances in a wide variety of styles and ensembles.

Today, auditions for premier groups like “Pershing’s Own,” the top band in the United States Army, are comparable with those of major symphony orchestras as large numbers of talented musicians compete for a full-time performing position. Current FSU doctoral student Peter Soroka recently won a spot in the percussion section of this coveted ensemble. His audition process started with the submission of a recording of required excerpts from which a select number of finalists were invited to audition live in Washington, DC. Following three rounds of intense performing along with an interview process, Soroka earned a spot in this prestigious ensemble where he joined fellow College of Music percussion alums D.J. Palmire (B.M. ’10) and Sidonie (Wade) McCray (B.M. ’11). The College of Music is very well represented in Pershing’s Own with Aaron Cockson (B.M.E. ’95, M.M. ’01) in the horn section, John Powlison (M.M. ’13) with the trumpets, violinist Patrick Lin (B.M. ’15) and Dale Moore and Omar DeJesus (B.M. ’14) in the trombone section. Soroka summed up the great success that the College of Music has in preparing its students for the rigorous service band audition process. “The work ethic and career-focused training from our percussion professor Dr. Parks, along with overall support for music students at FSU, prepares them to do the best they can in these competitive careers.” It is clear that for many FSU graduates, “the best they can” is indeed impressive!

Tracing its roots back to the Revolutionary War, the United States Military Academy Band at West Point is the oldest military band in America and part of the oldest army unit. In 2018, former College of Music student Staff Sgt. Nicole Caluori, a member of the band’s horn section, was chosen to become the first female drum major in the 200-year history of the band. In this vital leadership role, Caluori ensures musical quality, discipline, and showmanship in the unit. It is an active physical presence that includes conducting, marching, and overall physical fitness required of all in the service. Of course, Caluori is not the only one from FSU in the West Point Band. In the field music group known as the Hellcats for example, the trumpet section is packed with FSU alums including Judy Gaunt (B.M. ’16), Daniel Haddock (M.M. ’17) and Katie Stephen (B.M. ’15).

Performing musicians in service groups normally enter and remain at enlisted rank while conductors require officer status. Melvin Paul Kessler (M.M. ’99), LCDR, USN (ret.) spent a career as a musician in the U.S. Navy first as a trumpet performer and later as a Director of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Band in Norfolk, conductor with the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, DC and finally as the Director of the U.S. Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, MD. His move from enlisted musician to officer and conductor led him to FSU later in his career to study wind conducting with James Croft. “The leadership of these service bands is similar to the position of a college band director, though it is important to note that ensembles in these military groups are full of professional performers,” Kessler noted in a recent phone conversation. “Navy fleet bands offer musicians a great chance to play in a variety of professional settings, often in the company of dignitaries like the President of the United States as well as at locations all over the world.” Many recent College of Music alumni are currently part of these Navy fleet bands including Alex Charles (M.M. ’19), bassoon, Lilly Haley (D.M. ’18), clarinet, Gabe Ramey, bassoon, Jenna Taylor (B.M. ’15), flute. Recent FSU graduates in the U.S. Navy Band, the premiere service band for the Navy, include Sarah Blecker (D.M. ’11), oboe/public affairs, Seth Johnson (B.M. ’17), trumpet, Justin Juarez (M.M. ’08), trumpet, Chris Sala (M.M. ’96), trumpet, and T. Adam Whitman (B.M.E. ’08), vocalist.

Another of the prestigious Washington, DC groups is the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, also part of the U.S. Army. Clad in George Washington-era uniforms, they perform important ceremonial functions like leading the Presidential Inaugural Parade while also presenting historically informed performances of music from the Baroque and Early Classical periods. Recent College of Music graduates in this group include flutists Barbi Risken (M.M. ’05), Deanna Bertsche Hamm (M.M. ’03, D.M. ’09), Erin (Fleming) Morgan (M.M. ’14), Laura (Clapper) Zabanal (D.M. ’18), and trumpeter Ross Mitchell, (currently pursuing the Master of Music degree).

In addition to bands in our nation’s capital and at military academies, FSU alums are also serving as musicians in bases throughout the world. With deployment to active conflict areas, they can find themselves in harms way with the rest of their unit. Frank McCaskill (B.M.E. ’83), a career army band member, provides a harrowing example of the danger some musicians can face. In 2010 he was stationed in Iraq as part of a U.S. Army unit supporting memorial and chapel services as well as transfer ceremonies and other special observances. On a hot July day, McCaskill climbed into a military vehicle along with the other soldiers to travel via convoy to another military base to provide music for the decommissioning ceremony commemorating the handover from U.S. to Iraqi forces. “When we were approximately 5-6 kilometers from our destination, I was turning around after taking some pictures when our vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). I was pushed forward initially and violently slammed back by the security seat straps and knocked unconscious.” McCaskill was injured in the blast along with others but thankfully survived this terrifying event. Although such moments are rare for performers in the military, it is a reminder that they truly are serving our nation as soldier musicians.

For many FSU alumni, participation in a service band can be a long and rewarding career. It can also be a shorter-term opportunity to perform widely as a chapter in a more varied musical journey. Former College of Music dean Don Gibson (Ph.D. ’83) offered insight into the value of his service band experience. He began his musical career in 1965 at age 17 with the U.S. Navy Band. “My father was a high school orchestra and band director, and he set up an audition for me simply to get a sense of the standards for admission to the Washington band. At the close of the audition, I was offered a position. On the way home my father sold me on the idea of enlisting. During my three and a half years in the band, I eventually assumed the position of Principal Flute and Featured Soloist.” Gibson went on to attend college and forge a very successful career in higher education, including the leadership of FSU’s music program.

Service bands offer musicians the opportunity to continue their performance career in a rewarding environment that fosters their musicianship while, at the same time, giving them the opportunity to continue their university education. As such, membership in leading musical ensembles in the military continue to attract the best and brightest young musicians in America. Whether devoting a career to service bands or making it part of a varied musical journey, FSU continues to be a leading institution in preparing students for this career field. With the help of a dedicated faculty complimented by a thriving community of supportive Seminoles already in the service, our current students will continue to have great service band opportunities.

Recent College of Music Placements in Military Bands:

Matt Anderson (current DM student) U.S. Military Academy West Point Band (trumpet) • Sarah Blecker (D.M. ’11) U.S. Navy Band (oboe/public affairs) • Nicholas Caluori (B.M. ’04) U.S. Military Academy West Point Band (horn) • Nicole Caluori (former student) U.S. Military Academy West Point Band (drum major) • Alex Charles (M.M. ’19) U.S. Navy Fleet Band (bassoon) • Omar DeJesus (B.M. ’14) U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” (trombone) • Tyler Duncan (M.M. ’19) U.S. Air Force Band (Ceremonial Brass) (trumpet) • Robert Durie (B.M. ’14) U.S. Coast Guard Band (clarinet) • Tyler Easterling (B.M.E. ’15) U.S. Marines Drum and Bugle Corps (trumpet) • Judy Gaunt (B.M. ’16) U.S. Military Academy West Point Band (trumpet) • Mitchell Gribbroek (M.M. ’17) U.S. Army Field Band (percussion) • Daniel Haddock (M.M. ’17) U.S. Military Academy West Point Band (Hellcats) (trumpet) • Lilly Haley (D.M. ’18) U.S. Navy Fleet Band (clarinet) • Seth Johnson (B.M. ’17) U.S. Navy Band (trumpet) • Justin Juarez (M.M. ’08) U.S. Navy Band (trumpet) • Casy Knowlton (M.M. ’12, D.M. ’16) U.S. Navy Fleet Band (oboe) • Patrick Lin (B.M. ’15) U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” (violin) • Sidonie (Wade) McCray (B.M. ’11) U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” (percussion) • Ross Mitchell (current student) U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps (trumpet) • Angela Moretti (B.M.E. ’10) U.S. Eighth Army Band in Korea (bassoon) • Erin (Fleming) Morgan (M.M. ’14) U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps (flute) • D.J. Palmire (B.M. ’10) U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” (percussion) • Anna Pennington (D.M. ’07) U.S. Military Academy West Point Band (oboe) • John Powlison (M.M. ’13) U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” (trumpet) • Gabe Ramey (former student) U.S. Navy Fleet Band (bassoon) • Peter Soroka (current student) U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” (percussion) • Katie Stephen (B.M. ’15) U.S. Military Academy West Point Band (trumpet) • Jenna Taylor (B.M. ’15) U.S. Navy Fleet Band (flute)