((PKG)) PIA – LAURA LINEBERGER
((Banner: Serving Through Music))
((Executive Producer: Marsha James))
((Camera: Kaveh Rezaei))
((Map: Fort Myer, Virginia))
((NATS))
((Laura Lineberger, U.S Army Soldier, Music Librarian, Euphonium Player))
I don't think I understood the gravity of becoming a member of the military of any of armed service. My role or my idea, my concept of serving has changed over the years. I'm nearly 29 years in the Army band now
((Courtesy: Laura Lineberger))
and when I joined in 1990, it was, I get to play the euphonium, yeah! But then it changed into, I get to serve my country. I get to wear this uniform. That's been very humbling over the years.
((Laura Lineberger, U.S Army Soldier, Music Librarian, Euphonium Player))
My name is Laura Lineberger. I'm a sergeant major in the United States Army. I'm a euphonium player and now I'm a chief librarian.
((NATS))
((Laura Lineberger, U.S Army Soldier, Music Librarian, Euphonium Player))
I was born and raised in Fairfield County, Ohio. I come from a line of many educators
((Courtesy: Laura Lineberger))
and music was very important to the overall development of their children. I have a brother, eight years older, that played a baritone horn, which is the less professional model of what I currently play. And when it was time for me to choose my instrument, I so desperately wanted to play the saxophone. And my parents, who didn't have a whole lot of money because they were educators, they said, you know, we've already got this baritone in the closet. If you want to be in band, that's what you are playing.
((Courtesy: Laura Lineberger))
And I auditioned for all four branches of the United States services. I made the finals every single time, and it wasn't until here with Pershing's Own that they finally said, we want her. And I was especially elated because I was able to join the Army brass band, which is a performing group within the Army band Pershing's Own that doesn't exist anymore sadly, but brass bands are truly my love for developing my craft for the euphonium brass bands is the best ensemble to play in.
((NATS))
((Courtesy: Laura Lineberger))
((Laura Lineberger, U.S Army Soldier, Music Librarian, Euphonium Player))
Formerly, as a euphonium player in the ceremonial band and in the brass band, I had to keep my musical ability to a certain level. You're expected to be able to perform at a high level whenever called upon, whenever the mission called for. Currently, as the chief librarian, a lot of our job in the Army band music library is to make sure that all of the arrangements that are proffered for our organization that they're all legal and under strict copyright. We also make sure that all of our music that we put on the music stand is production level ready.
((NATS))
((Laura Lineberger, U.S Army Soldier, Music Librarian, Euphonium Player))
The euphonium is generally regarded as a boy instrument and largely all brass instruments can be regarded as boy instruments, and conversely, flutes and piccolos and clarinets, they tend to be girl instruments. And I think that dispelling the image of female brass players is really important. There's no reason why you can't be a 10 year old girl and play the baritone horn because I did it. The advice that I would give to young girls that are aspiring to be in a service band: practice, practice, practice. Hone your craft. You need to keep yourself as well-rounded as possible in terms of service to a military organization, but really key is having fun while making music.
((NATS))
