Specialty Summary. Manages, supervises, and performs as an instrumentalist, music arranger, vocalist, military band support technician, or audio and lighting engineer in military band activities.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Plans, organizes, directs, and inspects military band activities. Analyzes local musical requirements and provides appropriate services. Plans and schedules such activities as rehearsals, drills, training classes, and performances. Provides and accounts for equipment, space, supplies, and other facilities required by band. Advises higher authority on band status, equipment maintenance and adequacy, personnel training, and operational efficiency. Coordinates activities such as concerts, parades, and rehearsals with interested agencies and higher authority. Directs full band, sectional, and other group rehearsals. Directs the operation of bands in military and civilian performances, including parades, ceremonies, and concerts. Manages band administrative and support functions. Auditions personnel such as newly assigned members, civilians interested in enlistment for military band, and assigned personnel for promotional and training purposes.
Supervises and performs band functions. Performs on one or more musical instruments in concert and marching bands, dance band, and other musical groups. Performs under conductor's direction. Performs in small musical ensembles such as brass or woodwind quartets, quintets, or other combinations. Drills with marching band and executes formations on drum major's or leader's verbal or baton signal, while playing or carrying a musical instrument. Plays from music or memory while standing or marching. Performs as marching band drum major during drills, parades, and ceremonies. Arranges and adapts music for various musical combinations. Reads and sings vocal musical parts, and memorizes vocal parts for public performance. Operates and maintains audio reinforcement, recording, lighting, video, and multimedia equipment used during band rehearsals, training, and performances.
Performs band support functions such as operations, logistics, publicity, and administration.
Performs minor maintenance on musical equipment. Arranges facilities for rehearsals and performances. Copies and maintains musical parts and performs band support functions.
Specialty Qualifications:
Knowledge. The following knowledge is mandatory as indicated: For all, knowledge is mandatory of: musical conducting and rehearsal techniques; music theory (written and aural); ranges, transpositions, and capabilities of instruments authorized for Air Force bands; band music repertoire; publications and regulations on training, administration, and operation of Air Force bands; and minor maintenance and repair of musical equipment. For shredout T, knowledge is mandatory of band support functions such as operations, logistics, publicity, or administration. For shredout V, knowledge is mandatory of: audio reinforcement, recording, lighting, video, and multimedia techniques, and their applications within the entertainment industry; reading musical scores; executing conductor cues; musical ensemble balance; and equipment calibration, maintenance, and repair.
Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of courses in the following is desirable: music theory, harmony, ear training, ranges, transposition, and operating and applying latest audio reinforcement recording, lighting, video, and multimedia equipment and techniques.
Training. Not used.
Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated.
3N151X. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3N131X. Also, experience performing as an instrumentalist, music arranger, vocalist, military band support technician, or audio and lighting engineer.
3N171X. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3N151X. Also, qualification as an instrumentalist, music arranger, vocalist, military band support technician, or audio and lighting engineer. Also, experience performing with, bands, choruses, or similar groups (except shredout T).
3N191. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3N171X. Also, experience directing and planning functions such as providing musical services, training musical groups, performing administrative functions; and experience performing with bands, choruses, or similar groups.
Other. The following are mandatory as indicated: For award of suffix Z, qualification in and possession of one suffix (qualification with one of the musical instruments listed in paragraph 4 of the specialty description) is mandatory. For award and retention of AFSCs 3N151/71/91/00 must maintain an Air Force Network License according to AFI 33‑115, Vol 2, Licensing Network Users and Certifying Network Professionals.
Specialty Shredouts:
A Clarinet
B Saxophone
C Bassoon
D Oboe
E Flute or Piccolo
F French Horn
G Cornet or Trumpet
H Baritone or Euphonium
J Trombone
K Tuba
L Percussion
M Piano
N Guitar
P Music Arranger
Q Bagpipe
R Vocalist
S Electric Bass/String Bass
T Military Band Support (USAF Band or the USAF Band of the Rockies)
V Audio and Lighting Engineer
Z Instrumentalist, General (Air National Guard Bands)
