The Naval School of Music, located at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia, provides specialized training for selected personnel of the Navy and Marine Corps. This unique facility, the largest of its kind in the world, provides basic and advanced levels of instruction to military musicians of the Navy and Marine Corps to prepare them for the challenges of performance within a wide variety of military ensembles. Following basic training, Sailors and Marines report to the Naval School of Music to enhance their musical and military knowledge preparing them to receive the musician designator (NEC/MOS) and ultimate assignment to a fleet band. The basic course encompasses the fundamentals of music theory and ear training as well as instrumental performance. During their career, military musicians can apply for advanced training at the Naval School of Music to develop skills in live sound production, rehearsal techniques, music arranging, conducting, drum majoring, theory and ear training. The Naval School of Music plays a vital role in developing the military musician and its graduates go on to become musical ambassadors on ships and stations throughout the world.
The instrumental instructors on staff are carefully screened and chosen from top performers in Navy and Marine Corps ensembles worldwide. In addition to having completed advanced levels of training at the Naval School of Music, most hold degrees from universities and music conservatories. All prospective trainers must undergo an intense instructor appraisal and be approved by the commanding officer prior to assignment.