The mission of the Marine Detachment Naval School of Music is to provide leadership, training, administrative, and logistical support to Marines assigned to the Naval School of Music in order to support the development of entry, intermediate, and career skill level training to Marines within the 55XX Occupational Field.

Located on board the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-FT Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the Naval School of Music provides specialized training for selected personnel of the Navy and Marine Corps. It is the first stop after basic training for instrumentalists and vocalists seeking to join the ranks of the United States Navy and Marine Corps bands. This unique facility, the largest of its kind in the world, provides basic to advanced levels of instruction geared toward preparing Sailors and Marines for the challenges of performance within a wide variety of military ensembles. Graduates of the Naval School of Music go on to become musical ambassadors throughout the United States and abroad as members of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Bands.

Tracing its origins to the early 1900s, the Naval School of Music evolved from intermittent attempts to establish a permanent site to train Navy Musicians. In June of 1935, the Naval School of Music opened in Washington, D.C., operating in conjunction with the United States Navy Band until becoming an independent activity in 1942. Students enrolled at the school during this era graduated as complete ensembles--transferring as a unit to serve aboard ships in the U.S. Fleet.

After more than a decade as a Navy-specific institution, the school received a quota of 15 enlisted Marines, and following negotiations between the secretary of the Army and the chief of naval personnel, Army students began enrollment in January of 1951. With the school now providing training for Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, in a facility that was originally designed to be a temporary structure, it was clear the Naval School of Music had outgrown its home and a new facility was sorely needed.

Of the numerous sites evaluated, the Naval School of Music's present home, Building 3602 aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia proved best suited for instrumental and academic training. Built in 1955 as an 80,000 square foot barracks, Building 3602 was stripped to bare cinder blocks and reconstructed with the unique needs of professional military musicians in mind. In April 2005, Building 3602 was renamed McDonald Hall after Capt. John D. McDonald, the Naval School of Music's first commanding officer.

From 1964 to 2014, Building 3602 remained for the most part unchanged. In 2014, the Navy invested over $12 million in a total building renovation. The newly renovation building includes multiple "Green Initiative" systems to improve energy efficiency while providing a state of the art facility. The building houses 104 Wenger modules for individual practice and instrumental instruction; eight rehearsal areas for small to medium sized ensembles; a music library with over 18,000 musical compositions and thousands of additional books, music recordings and reference materials; and a repair facility to service nearly 3,000 musical instruments. In 2015, the Naval School of Music acquired an additional building for use as a rehearsal space. After a $3.5 million renovation project, in January of 2016, Building 3503 became the Naval School of Music's new Rehearsal Annex that houses two large wind ensemble rehearsal rooms, two small ensemble rehearsal rooms, and a sound technician classroom.

Housing

While assigned to the Naval School of Music, basic course students reside in Scott Hall, a 135-room dormitory-style barracks.

Daily Life

A typical day at the Naval School of Music begins with "morning quarters" when roll is called just before an inspection. For the remainder of the training day, each student's schedule is different, depending on their point in training. Some students may proceed immediately to a private instrumental lesson, while another is off to ear-training class, music theory, concert band, or stage band.

Learning Resource Center

The Learning Resource Center offers students at the Naval School of Music high-tech assistance with their academic studies. They can use computer technology and the latest interactive ear-training and music theory software during self-study to reinforce and enrich instruction received in the classroom.

Instrument Issue

Instrument Issue stores and maintains inventory control of all musical instruments, accessories, and supplies for the school. Upon arrival at the school, each student is provided with a professional instrument and accessories, and all other needed supplies for intensive musical instruction. Currently there are over 2,500 instruments on inventory, and a wide variety of mouthpieces and equipment are on hand for outfitting personal tastes.

Instrument Repair

The Naval School of Music houses the largest and best equipped instrument repair shop in the military. The technicians assigned to the school provide each student with training on the proper care and maintenance of their instrument, and maintain the school's technical training equipment inventory.

Library Media Center

The Library Media Center offers a quiet place where students at the Naval School of Music can study, read, or listen to music. The library contains thousands of recordings of a wide variety of musical ensembles and styles. Students are encouraged to spend time viewing DVDs, listening to CDs, reading books, magazines, and scores that relate to the training they receive in their courses and performing groups.

Music Library

Military musicians are required to perform in a wide variety of musical styles and settings. During their training, students at the Naval School of Music are exposed to many different types of music and perform in a variety of musical ensembles. The Music Library provides the sheet music and scores for all of the school’s training ensembles, including concert band, marching band, ceremonial band, big band, brass band, and chamber music groups. The library also supplies method books and instrumental solos used in students’ private lessons.

Purpose

To provide basic musical training to selected enlisted personnel of the Navy/Marine Corps.

Scope

Private instrumental lessons; ensemble training in concert band, jazz ensemble, drill/ceremonies, combo, improvisation, and percussion techniques; music theory and ear training. Upon successful completion, students will be assigned to one of the 10 Fleet Marine Bands.

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Purpose

To provide qualified personnel (E5-E9) with advanced technical knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the Ceremonial Conductor, Drum Major, and Small Ensemble Leader.

Scope

Advanced training includes rehearsing and conducting ceremonial bands, performing the duties of Drum Major for ceremonial bands, rehearsing contemporary music ensembles, analyzing and writing advanced music, and performing technical and non-musical support for performances.

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Purpose

To provide qualified Navy/Marine Corps musician personnel (E6-E9 as well as Marine Corps WO1 and CWO2) with the advanced technical knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the USN Senior Enlisted Leader/Assistant Director and USMC Bandmaster/Band Officer. These skills include management of non-musical support for a Navy or Marine Corps Band, rehearsing and conducting military concert and ceremonial bands, providing performance and production direction to technical experts for implementation, analyzing advanced music, and evaluating and providing information on the use, capabilities, and operations of all units of a Navy or Marine Corps Band.

Scope

The Advanced Musician Course provides the necessary training for leaders of Navy and Marine Corps Bands in Advanced Entertainment Concepts, Advanced Library Management, Advanced Production Concepts, Conducting Techniques, Score Study, Conducting Concert Band (Level 1), Conducting Concert Band (Level 2), Advanced Applied Ear Training/Conductor Led Ensemble Rehearsal Techniques, Public Affairs, Music History, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Band Management, and Advanced Capstone Production. 

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Purpose

To provide qualified Navy/Marine Corps musician personnel (E-3 through E-9) with the necessary training to perform as skilled Live Production Technicians capable of operating intricate sound reinforcement equipment in various acoustically typical environments and lighting equipment in varied venues as may be encountered by Navy Music Program mission requirements. Personnel will also be taught to design, test, evaluate, maintain, and operate sound reinforcement and lighting equipment in a safe operating condition.

Scope

Provide knowledge and skill level of instruction in support of lighting and sound reinforcement equipment operations. Curriculum will be divided into two parts. Part one will focus on theoretical knowledge consisting of Sound and Lighting System Setup, Optimization, as well as Lighting and Sound System Design. Part two will focus on the development of the performance skills associated with Lighting and Sound Reinforcement equipment setup and operation.

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As a Marine musician, you'll have the opportunity to serve with one of the ten renowned Marine Corps Fleet bands throughout the world. All Marine musicians are assigned as instrumentalists / vocalists during their first enlistment. Follow-on career opportunities for leadership roles within the bands include: Directors, Enlisted Bandleaders, Ensemble Leaders (Enlisted Conductors /  Drum Majors), Production Managers, and Instrument Repair Technicians.

Instrumentalist / vocalist

Musicians perform in a Marine Corps Fleet Band for concerts, parades, ceremonies, and various other official functions in support of the Marine Corps Bands' mission. Musicians perform additional duties in support of band operations, such as supply, administrative assistant, and / or music librarian. Additional increased responsibilities relating to music performance are assigned based on grade / experience, such as instrument section leader or leader of a small ensemble.

Director

Directors serve as the officer-in-charge of Marine Corps Fleet Bands and primary conductor. Directors also manage, administer, and coordinate musical performances, develop budgets and annual operation plans, direct internal operations and training, and supervise the employment of a Marine Corps Fleet Band.

Enlisted Bandleader

Enlisted Bandleaders serve as the senior enlisted Marine of a Marine Corps Fleet Band. Enlisted Bandleaders assist and advise the Director in developing the musical proficiency of the band, planning and scheduling, and supervising the necessary administrative duties of a musical unit.

Ensemble Leader (Enlisted Conductor / Drum Major)

Ensemble Leaders direct, train and manage the musical performances of the full band, to include small ensembles. Additionally, they assist and advise the Director and Enlisted Bandleader on musical development, implementation of musical protocol for ceremonies. They lead the band in concerts, ceremonies, and / or on the march.

Production Manager

Production Managers manage the audio/visual production support for band operations to include: live sound reinforcement and recording, stage lighting, digital media production, and band marketing.

Instrument Repair Technician

Instrument Repair Technicians provide repair and maintenance of musical instruments assigned to a Marine Corps Fleet Band. Additionally, they assist in the purchasing plans of band equipment.

There are two essential elements to the audition process; you must establish your entrance qualifications as a musician and as a United States Marine. The Musician Placement Director is the Marine responsible for reviewing and certifying your musical qualification. A local Marine Corps recruiter will help you determine your Marine Corps entrance qualifications and guide your through the process of becoming a Marine.

In order to become eligible to serve as a Marine musician, musical proficiency must be established in accordance with Marine Corps Audition Standards. By following a two-round process, we establish an applicant's potential for service as a Marine musician. The first round is a screening round, wherein we learn about your musical background and establish the likelihood of you successfully meeting the requirements of the next round. Upon successful screening, you will be invited to participate in the audition round, which consists of a live audition proctored by the Musician Placement Director nearest to your geographical area. This audition round serves as the final assessment for establishing musical entrance qualifications for service as a Marine musician.
 

Screening Round

The screening round is used to establish your musical background and potential to succeed in the audition round. You will be asked to provide audio OR video recordings performing specified musical excerpts and a completed "Sign Up" form submission. 

Audio and video recording must be of a good quality and consist of all excerpts. Your local Musician Placement Director can provide specific guidance, should you have any questions.

Audition Round

Based on successful evaluation of the screening round, you may be invited to perform the audition round. The audition round consists of an in-person audition proctored by the Musician Placement Director nearest to your geographical area. During the audition round, you will perform specified excerpts and sight-read from a collection of short selections. Dates for the audition round are often published or, in some cases, individually scheduled. 

For more information regarding the audition process, including instrument-specific requirements, email: MarineMusic@marines.usmc.mil

To request an audition, visit our Audition Request Form.