A career in the military was about the last thing Brian Hecht was thinking about when he graduated from Coppell High School in 2003 and began studying trombone performance at the University of Texas.

He dreamed of one day earning a living doing what he loves most – playing the trombone. And now that dream has come true for him in an unexpected package.

Hecht will get to serve his country while still being able to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional trombone player. In August, he earned a bass trombone spot in the United States Navy Band after a series of very competitive auditions.

He first auditioned in May with 35 other bass trombonists. He was selected as one of the top four, but then Navy band officials decided not to offer the spot to anyone and repeat the audition process at a later time.

Hecht auditioned again in August with about another 35 bass trombonists. This time he was the one who was selected for the Navy’s premier musical organization of nearly 90 members.

The 24-year-old said he was thrilled to find a full-time job so quickly after completing his master’s degree in bass trombone performance at Northwestern University in the Chicago suburb of Evanston earlier this year. He earned his bachelor’s degree in bass trombone performance at UT-Austin in 2007.

Hecht first took up playing the trombone in 1996 when he was in the sixth grade under the guidance of Coppell trombone instructor Jon Bohls. He played the tenor trombone and marched in the CHS Band under the direction of Scott Mason from 1999 to 2003.

He switched to the bass trombone at the end of his sophomore year in college.

“I am really thankful for the teachers I had who pushed me to keep it up,” Hecht said, adding that he remembers Mr. Mason sometimes being hard on his students.

“I feel like everything was necessary. I wouldn’t be the player or person I am today if it weren’t for Mr. Bohls and Mr. Mason,” he said.

“I credit a lot of my success of just where I am today to Mr. Bohls and the amazing teacher that he is and the amazing player that he is,” Hecht said.

“I wouldn’t have been able to have the concept of sound in my head without him being such a great musician. It really helped that he was able to play for us in all of our lessons.”

Hecht’s UT teacher Nathaniel Brickens also played a major role in his trombone skill development, he said.

Bohls, who still teaches trombone to Coppell middle and high school students, said Hecht winning the position is wonderful. “It shows that lots of dedication and hard work do pay off,” he said.

Bohls, who taught Hecht for seven years, said he remembers Hecht in his first year of trombone and he was good, but nothing stood out, although he was one of the better players in the section in middle school.

“It wasn't until his senior year in high school that he decided that he wanted to become a really good player. He made All-State that year. After that, he decided to go to the University of Texas as a trombone major,” Bohls said.

After he switched to bass trombone, Hecht was determined to win a job, Bohls said. “He has worked hard to get where he is today,” he added.

The hard work required of Hecht will continue, although not in the same way as the last 13 years. Now he’ll hardly be able to touch a trombone – at least for eight weeks.

Hecht will begin his basic training Oct. 27 in Great Lakes, IL.

“They told me to not even bring my horn,” he said, although one will be provided to him for the weekly one-hour rehearsals of the graduation ceremonial band.

After the rehearsals, he will have to get back to running and doing push-ups.

Hecht said he’s actually looking forward to doing the basic training. Some military bands do not require members to go through basic training, but the Navy does.

“I’m glad I will be going through basic training so I can hold the right to wear the uniform” he said.

After completing basic training, Hecht will be stationed in Washington, D.C. where he will be a first class petty officer and will alternate weekly between performing with the concert and ceremonial bands.

Hecht said he’s ready for the challenges ahead. “Every experience I’ve had from high school to undergrad through my master’s prepares me for anything they are going to throw at me, whether it is orchestral repertoire, band repertoire or marching.”