Hi, I'm a serviceman who's got a keen passion for music. I was wondering if there were any colleges or programs that specifically cater to military personnel who want to study music? If there are, could someone lend me more info?
While there aren't specific music colleges devoted entirely to military personnel, many colleges and universities in the United States offer strong music programs and are also very accommodating to servicemen and women. These schools have resources to support veterans, such as academic advising, counseling services, financial aid guidance, and sometimes military-specific scholarships.
One particular example is the Berklee College of Music which actively welcomes military veterans and offers various forms of assistance including services to help understand the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program for tuition assistance. They have a dedicated Veterans Affairs team for student veterans and their families. Their programs cover a range of fields within music, from composition and performance to production and music therapy.
Another possibility is to consider the Armed Forces School of Music, located in Virginia. This is not a traditional college or university but is an institution where enlisted members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army receive musical training for their respective service bands. This could be a perfect fit if you're planning on staying in the military. It's not a degree-granting institution, but it offers some excellent training and opportunities to play in military bands around the world.
Remember, when looking into colleges, it would serve you well to also review how each institution supports its service members, as well as the specifics of the music program itself to ensure it aligns with your interests and goals.
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