A musician in the Army is a soldier who performs as a professional musician in a military band. Army bands perform a variety of music styles in a range of ensembles including symphonic, jazz, rock and marching bands, quintets, and vocal groups. Army Bands are active members of the local community supporting community events, educational programs and charity organisations. Army Bands are often in the public arena and are a key component of the Army's public relations program. They also take on the Army's share of military musical support to national and state ceremonial occasions such as visits by foreign heads of state and other public events. Army Bands support Army and Australian Defence Force ceremonial occasions as well as upholding their operational role to entertain deployed troops. In the Australian Army Band Corps (AABC) there are opportunities in six full-time and five part-time bands.

Main Job Functions

Music is an important part of military life, with bands having a strong tradition of performing at ceremonies, parades and public events. However, they not only perform traditional styles of marches and classics but also jazz, popular and rock in situations as varied as entertainment centres, festivals and overseas deployments.

The following instruments comprise an Army Band:

Flute/Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophones, (Alto, Tenor, Baritone), French Horns, Trumpet/Cornet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion (tuned and un-tuned), Bass Guitar, Piano/Synth*, guitar*, male and/or female vocalists.

*Restricted entry only - please refer to AABC unit in your area to determine whether a vacancy exists.