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Announcing an immediate vacancy for:

Timpani/Percussion

Announcing an immediate vacancy for:

Timpani / Percussion

Preliminary Recordings due: July 7, 2025
Electronic submission must be received by: 11:59 PM EST*
Live Round: October 27, 2025
Applicants invited to live round will receive paid airfare, lodging, and food stipend provided by U.S. Army (pending approval for military service)

Salary & Benefits

- Annual salary $79,209-$90,621 upon promotion to Staff Sergeant (accelerated promotion via Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program)
- Full military benefits (medical/dental/retirement plans)
- 30 days paid vacation yearly
- Post 9/11 GI Bill and Tuition Assistance
- Stabilized duty assignment at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York

Application packets

Audition packets must include a resume with date of birth, cover letter, and high-quality audio recordings no more than six months old with the following music in this order (separate files for each excerpt preferred):

Timpani:

  • Beethoven | Symphony No. 5 - Mvt. 3 [C] Through Mvt. 4, 4 measures before [A] 
  • Sibelius | Finlandia - 5 after [E] through 1 measure after [I] (no repeat) 
  • Williams | Star Wars "Main Title" – Beginning through measure 19 and measure 36 through measure 61 
  • Perform a roll on the smallest timpano tuned to a G natural. Begin at pp and crescendo for 15-20 seconds to ff and then diminuendo for 15-20 seconds to pp.

Snare Drum:

  1. John S. Pratt | Solo of choice performed using traditional grip.

Glockenspiel:

  1. Sousa | The Stars and Stripes Forever- Begin at the pickup into the Trio. Play for 32 bars ending at the double bar.

Cymbals:

  1. Tchaikovsky | Romeo and Juliet- [E] to 6 measures before [F] 

Optional:

  1. Solo or excerpt of choice demonstrating additional percussion skills that highlight personal strengths. eg.: mallet solo, hand percussion, drumset, etc.  
Download Excerpt Packet

Live round excerpts will be sent to selected candidates via email.

Your resume should include education, performance/work/teaching experience, and references.

Your cover letter should augment your resume, describing what additional skills you bring to the position beyond your instrument. This might include skills in arts administration, arranging, audio mixing/engineering, other instrument/vocal proficiencies, marketing, computer skills (graphics/video editing/Microsoft Office/other), etc.

Your completed application can be submitted via the form at the bottom of this page.

Job Description

The West Point Band is a U.S. Army premier band whose main duty is to perform for local, national, and international audiences in support of the West Point community, the U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Army.  
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Play in the Marching Band Percussion Section for pass in reviews, street parades, official ceremonies and funerals. The Marching Band performs at all home football games, in addition to other professional sporting events throughout the year. 
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Perform as Timpanist for the Concert Band. Cover various percussion section and chamber group assignments as needed.  

The Concert Band frequently performs concerts at West Point and in the Northeast Region.
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Secondary duties related to the day-to-day functioning of the West Point Band will be assigned based on experience, knowledge, interest, and/or needs of the unit.

Questions about this job listing or music list should be directed to Sgt. 1st Class David Bergman: david.bergman@westpoint.edu

Qualifications

Professional performance level; Bachelor of Music degree or higher preferred (not required). Ability to meet Army initial entry requirements and maintain a professional appearance. The hired candidate will be required to march in ceremonial formations and stand for prolonged periods of time. Must be a U.S. citizen or other qualified resident. Position requires at least a four-year service contract; candidate will be informed of acceptance prior to enlistment.

Upon accepting employment with the West Point Band, the hired candidate will be required to complete Army Basic Training.

Military Personnel

Military personnel must also submit their Soldier Record Brief (or equivalent) without photo, three years of performance evaluation reports, and a Commander’s Intent to Release memo.

Electronic Submission (preferred)

  • Submit your application by filling out the form below and uploading the necessary documents and/or files.
  • Only high-quality audio recordings will be accepted and evaluated.
  • Separating files for each excerpt is permitted and preferred.
  • Upon submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email sent to the email you have provided.

If you encounter any issues submitting your application, please email: bandauditions@westpoint.edu