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On April 13, 1961, the Secretary of the Navy announced plans for the US Navy School of Music to be relocated to the Naval Amphibious Base at Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia. On August 12, 1964, the doors to the Navy School of Music in Washington, D.C. were secured. The USS Cado Parish and the USS Monmouth County proceeded to the US Naval Amphibious Base loaded with musical instruments and Army and Navy personnel. Each ship had a band aboard to play honors as it passed George Washington's tomb in Mt. Vernon, Virginia. This was the first time an Army band performed honors on a Navy ship for our first president, George Washington. The ships landed at the Naval Amphibious Base on the morning of August 13, 1964. By joint service agreement, the facility was renamed the "School of Music" concurrent with the move. One of the highlights of the move of the School of Music was the dedication ceremony concert. Arthur Fiedler, conductor of the Boston Pops, guest conducted the School of Music Concert Band.

After the war, Congress returned bands to peacetime status by abolishing bandmaster commissions. Bandmasters were allowed to enlist as bandleaders. Additional legislation in 1920 authorized warrant officer grades for bandmasters and reduced band strengths to 28 men in post bands and 36 men in regimental bands, although a 48-man band was retained for a time at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. The quality of bands dropped as soldiers left the service.

In February 1920, the Army Music School at Fort Jay was designated a Special Services School of the Army. In September 1921 after reorganization, the school was moved to the Army War College, Washington DC. This ended the affiliation with the Institute of Musical Art which lasted 10 years and provided the Army with many outstanding leaders.

The following courses were offered: Bandleader-two years long. Preparatory Bandleader-one year long. Advanced Instrumentalist-one year long. Bandsmen-one year long. The total number of authorized students was 215.

In recent history, the Army now trains its musicians at the United States Army Element School of Music at the U.S. Armed Forces School of Music in Virginia Beach, VA.

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