MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Covering eight states and countless prospects within the 6th Marine Corps District, one man determines the fate of anyone who wishes to enter the Marine Corps Music Program.
These prospects' hopes and dreams of becoming a member of any of the 12 Marine Corps Bands are based on their ability to perform for one man, Staff Sgt. Stephen B. Giove, musician technical assistant, Sixth Marine Corps District.
"Basically, I audition prospects to make sure they are qualified to be in the Marine music program," said Giove. "I say, yes or no."
To further the cause and bring a sense of reality to the minds of the prospects, Giove usually throws in, "What you do [in school] for a grade, I do for a living and get paid."
The time required of him to accomplish the goals of auditioning musicians can overtake all of his time, including time spent at home with his family and creating music.
"Sometimes it can be difficult to balance it all out," added the multi-versatile Marine. "As a Marine bandsman, slash enlisted conductor, slash recruiter, sometimes I get to play, sometimes I get to conduct and sometimes I get to recruit."
His wife knows full well the demands of being a Marine, she was a former Marine Musician, attaining the rank of sergeant.
My wife is pretty understanding and very supportive, said Giove.
"I think that the Marine Corps fully embodied the love, pride and commitment to this country that he already had," said Erin R. Giove, Stephens wife, "so it was a natural choice for him. The fact that he could come in and do what he does best, play his drums, was the icing on the cake."
Family life and the Marine Corps can eat up a lot of time, let alone throwing in writing and conducting music. Giove seems to squeeze time into his already crowded itinerary for a little personal time as well. He is the conductor for the Charleston Community Band.
"For the Charleston Community Band, I try to do all of my traveling [for work] between Wednesday and Monday, so that I can be there Tuesdays when they meet," said the musical renaissance man. "Sometimes that is not possible, and that is where the assistant conductor comes in and he takes over."
Giove's motivation to take on a job conducting was not totally selfish in regards to a musical yearning; there is also the possibility of making contacts and recruiting new prospects as well. However, he missed conducting and playing, and this also gave him a chance to satisfy his musical needs.
He has also written several pieces of music throughout his time in the Marine Corps that have been played by the Parris Island Marine Band as well as other bands around the Marine Corps. One piece of music in particular stood out for Giove, "A Marine's Fanfare."
"I wanted it to have the flavor of the 'Marines' Hymn,' but not," he said jokingly. "People would say, 'Hey pay attention, the Marines are coming...I think.' That one was written specifically for the Marine Corps, as an opening for a concert. It has bits and pieces of the 'Marines' Hymn' and 'Taps' and is pretty much based off of that."
Or so, that was the intent, he concluded.
"It was written for the Nova Scotia Military Tattoo when I was at [Marine Corps Base] Quantico, [Va.]," he said. "Since then many of our twelve bands have played it for their openers."
Giove has been involved with the Charleston band since April, performing in several shows, to include the Army Corps of Engineers change of command at the Citadel, in Charleston.
The Charleston Community Band's next performance will take place at the Ashley River Baptist Church on Sunday..