Hello SKCMA students and families!
Here’s your fun music fact of the month — Did you know you can be a professional musician in the United States Army? SKCMA co-owner (and my husband!), Matt Crandall, has been in the 312th Army Band for 25 years. He went off to Basic Training the day after high school graduation and has been playing music for the Army Reserves ever since. His band is made up of professional musicians and music educators in the area, and Matt considers it to be the best job in the Army. He’s performed in Hawaii, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Fort Lewis (Seattle), Chicago, Mount Rushmore, Virginia Beach, and many other places. Another perk–being in the Army Band is how Matt paid for college, both his undergrad and Masters degree.
The Army Bands perform for military ceremonies, like promotions, retirements, change-of-command, and parades, and also for the public. This summer Matt’s band is performing at Silver Dollar City July 2, 3, and 4!
Every branch of the armed services has bands, making the military the largest employer of musicians in the world. Being in the Reserves, Matt is part-time with the Army, but there are also many full time, active-duty musician soldiers.
The variety of bands within the military is large – there are Drum and Bugle Corps, Jazz Bands, Rock Bands, Marching Bands, Concert Bands, Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, Brass Quintets, etc..
If you ever get a chance to see a military band perform, take it! And Matt’s always happy to talk about being a military musician, if you want to know more!
Please note — we will be closed July 13 and 14. This is one of our four scheduled weeks off per year.
Keep making music, and thank you for choosing SKC Music Academy! We have the best students in KC!
Laura Lee Crandall, owner
(816) 682-3470
Student of the Month – Taffy Bezabeh!
What prompted you to take music lessons?
Taffy- I wanted to serve the Lord through singing and to learn rhythm and pitch of music.
What do you enjoy about lessons?
Taffy- Sight-singing music that I’m playing on the piano. I like learning music and being challenged to play through a music piece while acknowledging mistakes.
Taffy’s teacher Ms. Karren Schiele says, “One reason I chose Taffy for Student of the Month is her enthusiasm. She wanted to play for the recital after taking lessons for a week. Who does that?! Taffy does.”
Congratulations Taffy!
Military Music & More
Did you know many famous musicians played in military bands before making it big? Country super-star George Strait, jazz saxophone phenom John Coltrane, and singer Tony Bennett all played in various armed forces bands.
TodaysMilitary.com says three things that help military musicians succeed include- the ability to play more than one instrument, the ability to sing, and poise when performing in public.
What are some benefits to playing in a military band?
- scholarship opportunities
- student loan repayment
- retirement
- great healthcare
- getting paid to play music!