Moms of Navy Musicians

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Comment by Kathy C., Danielle's Mom on September 14, 2009 at 1:30pm

Danielle is currently in Yokosuka, Japan with the Seventh Fleet Band. She has been there since the end of April.

Comment by Kathy C., Danielle's Mom on September 14, 2009 at 12:51pm

Hi Diane, my daughter auditioned with three instruments - flute, piccolo and tenor sax - the audition itself took about 3 hours - of prepared pieces by her and then sight reading and scales that they selected. I think there were 2 or 3 people at her audition - they score her and then the scores are sent to the main office in Tennessee where it is decided if they score high enough. Your grand niece would have to contact a recruiter to set up an audition and that is usually done at the nearest Navy base that has a band. If they are accepted into the Navy band program, they go to Great Lakes for boot camp, just like all other recruits and then following boot camp, they are sent to the School of Music at Little Creek, Norfolk, VA. There they go to the School of Music for about 5-6 months. My daughter loves her job and hopes to make a career out of the MU program.

Comment by Dianne on September 14, 2009 at 12:26pm

How hard is it to become a MU? I have a grand niece who is looking to join the Navy to be a musician. I read there is a very rigorous audition process. Can anyone tell me what this entails? My son is currently deployed and I'm just trying to help out my grand niece. Thank you so much.

Comment by Kathy C., Danielle's Mom on August 28, 2009 at 10:57am

I don't believe the Navy will pay for you to go to college and then join the band - my daughter came straight from high school - depends on their skill level. While she was at the school of music, alot of the courses - like music theory, ear training and stuff were new to her but more of a review for those that had music degrees. When Danielle joined she did boot camp, then the School of Music (about 6 months). Upon completing the SOM, she received her monetary bonus. Other sailors didn't get the monetary bonus but opted to have some of their college (like their student loans they took out) paid for.

Comment by msnkarla on August 28, 2009 at 10:49am

Are these musical organizations for after graduation from college? He was looking to find a way to pay for a music conservatory and then serve somehow after college like his older brother is doing thru Navy ROTC. The recruiter called him once and caught his attention but hasn't followed up with him and we are left wondering if a musician can really serve or not. He isn't the "boot camp" type, like his older brother. He doesn't want to hurt his hands! And I don't think he'd do well with some of the stuff they have to go through in ROTC. Maybe there isn't an option for him.

Comment by musicbabe48,Betty on August 28, 2009 at 9:17am

Hi,
All of the military musical organizations have periodic auditions for new members. If your son is interested tell him to contact the recruiter for info.
The auditions are tough because only the best are chosen but its well worth all of the effort.
I wish that this would have been available for me when I graduated from college.
I wanted to play clarinet professionally but back then (1970) this was not a choice for females.

Comment by msnkarla on August 27, 2009 at 6:02pm

I have a son who is interested in music conservatories but the costs are astronomical and we were wondering about the Marine Corp Orchestra. Does anyone know how he could get in that and do they pay for school like the Navy ROTC pays for school in return for service? I have another son in Navy ROTC who is in his third year at college and very happy with ROTC and career opportunities after college. Thanks.

Comment by musicbabe48,Betty on August 23, 2009 at 9:07am

My son Galen is a trumpet player in Basic and when finished will head for the Navy School of Music. He has music teaching certification but his first love is playing rather than teaching.

Comment by Kathy C., Danielle's Mom on August 8, 2009 at 11:06am

Hi Patti, A-school for MU's is about 6 months long. Some sailors can complete it sooner and excel out, in about 3-4 months. Since my daughter joined the Navy right out of high school, she didn't try to excel out because she wanted to get as much out of a-school as possible. Other friends of hers, who already had music degrees finished it sooner.

Comment by Patti A (Billy - Shp 11 Div 025) on August 5, 2009 at 1:42pm

My son is not a Navy musician but his best frined is and he just headed off this week to the Navy School of Music in VA. Does anyone know how long that lasts? This kid, Brett, is an incredible musician and transferred into the MU rating as a bassoonist. He said there are only 8 billets for bassoon players in hte USN and currently the Navy only has 6 of them filled. I'm looking forward to following his career. He and my son (preparing for a career as a CTN) hope to be stationed together someday.

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