Specialty Summary. Manages, supervises, and performs as an instrumentalist, music arranger or copyist, vocalist, or audio and lighting engineer in the USAF Band or the USAF Band of the Rockies.
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 band, string ensemble, dance band, marching band, or other musical groups. Performs under conductor's direction. Performs in small musical ensembles such as brass, string, or woodwind quartets, quintets, and 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. Inscribes music for use by musicians in various ensembles. Reads and sings vocal musical parts, and memorizes vocal parts for public performance. Performs in chorus and other vocal ensembles. Performs as vocal soloist with various accompanying ensembles. Operates and maintains audio reinforcement, recording, lighting, video, and multimedia equipment used during band rehearsals, training, and performances.
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. Knowledge is mandatory of: musical conducting and rehearsal techniques; music theory 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.
Education. For entry into this specialty, completion is desirable of courses in music theory, harmony, ear training, ranges, and transpositions; and operation and application of the latest audio reinforcement, recording, lighting, video, and multimedia equipment and techniques.
Training. Not used.
Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of AFSC indicated:
3N271. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3N231. Also, experience performing with bands, orchestras, choruses, or similar groups.
3N291. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3N271. Also, experience directing and planning functions such as providing musical services, training musical groups, and performing administrative functions.
Other. The following are mandatory as indicated: For entry into this specialty, prior qualification in and possession of AFSC 3N151X, or prior qualification as a musician. Specialty requires routine access to Top Secret material or similar environment. For award and retention of AFSCs 3N2XX, completion of a current Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) according to AFI 31-501, Personnel Security Program Management. NOTE: Award of the 3-skill level without a completed SSBI is authorized provided an interim SSBI has been granted according to AFI 31-501.
