Marine Corps MOS · Support
55XX Musician
Overview
A musician performs on a musical instrument in a Marine Corps band during concerts, parades, band drills, honor guards, guard mounts, and other official functions and ceremonies. Musicians also train personnel, maintain musical equipment, and may serve as section leaders, supply NCOs, music librarians, storeroom keepers, or arrangers.
Core Skills
- teamwork and collaboration
- discipline and time management
- training and mentoring
- event execution and support
- logistics and equipment management
- public presentation
- attention to detail
- administrative support
- basic leadership
- customer service orientation
Civilian Software & Tools
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
- Acoustica Mixcraft
- Apple GarageBand
- Katsura Shareware KS Strobe Tuner
- TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome
- TuneLab
Civilian Career Paths
- Administration
- Project Management
- Training and Education
- Music and Entertainment
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Commercial Audio Technician (CAT)
- Praxis Subject Assessment: Music: Content Knowledge (5113)
- Microsoft Office Specialist: Word Associate
Career Growth
- Music Therapist: Board Certified (MT-BC)
- Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate · Funded
- Microsoft Office Specialist: PowerPoint Associate
What the Work Involves
- Perform before live audiences in concerts, recitals, educational presentations, and other social gatherings.
- Interpret or modify music, applying knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm, and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.
- Specialize in playing a specific family of instruments or a particular type of music.
- Compare instrument pitches with tuning tool pitches to tune instruments.
- Play instruments to evaluate their sound quality and to locate any defects.
Related Occupations
- Music Directors and Composers
- Actors
- Choreographers
- Dancers
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: a four-year degree or equivalent experience.
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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