Uniontown native fulfilling dream
Camouflage and brass are the perfect combination for those in the Army’s elite Ceremonial Band in Washington, D.C., where high-ranking government officials often hear the rhythms of a Uniontown native. Ever since he can remember, Dean Miller, 24, said he knew what he wanted to do and he never lost interest in pursuing his musical dreams. Today, though, they’ve taken him places he’s never imagined.
As a member of the Army’s Ceremonial Band, Miller and his select peers perform at the arrival and departure ceremonies at the White House and the Pentagon.
And they respectfully perform at military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, wreath-laying ceremonies by visiting dignitaries at the Tomb of the Unknowns and for other important military events.
But all that jazz hasn’t gone to the head of the euphonium player, who began playing the “tenor-tuba” at a young age.
“It began in fourth grade. Originally I had wanted to play the French horn, but my mother got a good deal on a used trumpet, so trumpet it was,” he said.
It wasn’t until the fifth grade that Miller began playing the euphonium.
“I needed braces. Braces and trumpet mouthpieces don’t go well together, so my teacher switched me to euphonium. Been playing it ever since,” he said.
Seven years later, in 1996, he graduated from Uniontown Area High School as a member of the Red Raider marching band and decided to pursue his lifelong dream by majoring in music education at West Virginia University.
“I decided I wanted a challenge, so I chose music. I think the brutal honesty of the profession appealed to me. I knew that if I’d make it I’d accomplish something. You see, you can’t cheat at music. You can either play or you can’t.
“When you audition for a job, you can’t fake your playing. You just do your best,” Miller said.
Miller recalled a time when he did his best at WVU.
“It was my sophomore year at “Octubafest,” an annual event at WVU’s department of music. I played a really difficult piece. At the end of the piece, the crowd went nuts. Everyone stood up, shot out of their seats, and the applause was huge.
“I can’t describe that feeling, but it’s one I haven’t had anywhere else,” he said.
Two years later, in 2000, Miller accomplished something else he’s never forgotten: He graduated from WVU and then went to the University of North Texas, where he studied for one year and decided to move on to bigger things.
“I put in one year toward my masters in euphonium performance. I didn’t finish. I started taking jobs instead. I played at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va., in the summer of 2001, then I played with the River City Brass Band in Pittsburgh from August to December in 2001,” he said.
And it was in December when he auditioned for the U.S. Army band and his talent took him to the place he always wanted to be. Miller said that playing in a premier military band was a goal that he had since he began his collegial studies, but he noted he wasn’t really sure that that’s where he’d end up.
He said it was a shot in the dark due to the limited job opportunities for a professional euphonium player.
“It’s a very small market, because it’s not an instrument that’s used in orchestras, jazz band or any kind of pop music. It’s only found in traditional wind bands, and that limited my career possibilities significantly,” he said.
Miller added that since 1998, only four or five euphonium jobs in accomplished bands were open.
“Well, a job in a premier military band was always my goal since I began at WVU. And even though my chances were pretty small, I just wanted to try hard and see what happened, and here I am,” he said.
For Miller, it’s a great place to be. To date, the band has played for some interesting audiences that include top government officials from Japan and Egypt, the president of Poland and the president of Bulgaria, to name a few.
And while Miller hasn’t played for President Bush yet, he notes that he may get to someday, but he’d still rather just play for his friends and family back home.
“Although I do enjoy playing for presidents and chiefs of staff, etc., I am playing for the honor of their position, not them personally, and that isn’t very personal for me. I’d say I’d have to prefer playing for an audience of normal, everyday people, especially family and friends,” he said. “World leaders will always change, but my friends and family will remain. I’d rather be playing for them any day.”
Karen Miller, Dean’s mother, would like him to play for his family and friends, too.
“I love to hear him play, and I’m so proud of all he’s done and all he’s accomplished. He’s done so well for himself,” she said.
But, her son says he’s had a little help along the way, especially from his mother.
“I owe her everything. She’s been my best teacher, and I couldn’t have done it without her,” he said.