M-E Flautist Will Join U.S. Marine Band

2/7/2013 (Updated 7:16:02 PM)

Brooke Bart first picked up a flute when she was in the 4th grade. 

"I picked it up, I made a sound on it which was really exciting for me.  Since then I fell in love with it," says Brooke Bart. 

The Maine-Endwell senior will soon join the Nation's oldest and one of the most competitive music organizations in the United States, the Marine Band.

"I just can't wait to play and being paid to play is a musician's dream," says Bart.

Bart spent most of her fall applying to music conservatories- until she bumped into Marine Corp recruiters before gym class and decided to audition. 

Her high school music teacher says she was given a rare opportunity. 

"I believe the average person entering is probably at least midway through college or a music performance major,"says Robin Linaberry, music teacher at M-E.

But her age, and even an illness didn't stop her from auditioning.

"It turned out that I had strep throat and a 103.3 temperature during my audition which was definitely tough but I gave it my all," says Bart.

Bart scored a 2.3- a score the Marine music placement director says it was the second highest he had seen this year in his territory of 10 states.

"The only score that surpassed Brook has been a senior music performance major from the Crane School of Music," says Linaberry.

The All-State flautist will enlist in the Marines in August for duty only in the Marine Band.  She says she is looking forward to the travel that comes with being in the band and the possibility of one day playing for the President.

"I'm really excited to have a plan for next year and I can't wait to serve my country, with my flute," says Bart.

Ali Warner, Fox 40 HD News.

Ali Warner, Fox 40 HD News.