Therapeutic music opportunities for military veterans
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Armed Services Arts Partnership (Alexandria, VA)
The Armed Services Arts Partnership offers community-creating, expressive arts programs at no cost to service members, veterans, and military families by partnering with reputable veterans nonprofits and leveraging the resources of universities near areas with large military populations.
ASAP’s writing, music, and comedy programs foster expression, promote skill development, and form community support networks, thereby offering therapeutic benefits to participating vets, reducing stress and anxiety among families dealing with a loved one’s transition into civilian life, and improving the welfare of communities facing these concerns.
Music sessions - Weekly group music sessions for service members and veterans in the local community.
Boulder Crest - Songwriting with Soldiers (Virginia and Arizona)
Music is a powerful way to express our feelings. This long-standing idea is the basis of SWS PATHH, and our partnership with Songwritingwith:Soldiers (SWS)
SWS PATHH is a three-day program that uses Posttraumatic Growth PATHH sessions and collaborative songwriting with professional songwriters as a catalyst to help participants express themselves and gain deeper insights into their life journey.
Brave Women Veterans Retreats (Tennessee)
The mission of Brave Women Veterans Retreats is to provide holistic retreats for women veterans recovering from injuries related to military sexual trauma and domestic abuse. We use art, music, yoga, and equine assisted therapy to help women veterans in their recovery. Most of our educational groups are conducted by licensed art and music therapist or licensed counselors. We also have veteran life coaches to offer peer support to the veterans at our retreats. "We provide a safe place to heal all the invisible wounds of our female veterans."
C.A.M.M.O. (Fort Belvoir, VA)
C*A*M*M*O the Center for American Military Music Opportunities, is committed to the principles of servant leadership with peer serving peer – American service member and veteran serving veteran. C*A*M*M*O builds the skills of musicianship and performance, putting our service members in touch with leading industry talent development specialists, extending career opportunities left unattainable to military personnel, and presents performances, concerts, and workshops to audiences of all ages.
There are three prongs to the C*A*M*M*O mission:
- To create therapeutic programming and outlets for service members and veterans
- To train and educate veterans in music industry career opportunities
- To develop top-notch music artists
Challenge America - Music Therapy
Challenge America Music Opportunities equips veterans with the tools they need to cope with the trauma of their military experience. Designed specifically for veterans who struggle with post-traumatic stress and/or traumatic brain injury, each participant receives three days of expert-led music therapy, a high quality acoustic guitar, and access to our exclusive online networking tools as well as our growing library of free video tutorials on guitar, songwriting, and mindfulness. We provide these services to veterans for free. This is just one of the ways Challenge America works to realize its vision that all service members, veterans and their families have access to the resources they need to live productive, dignified lives.
CreatiVets
CreatiVets takes combat veterans struggling with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries to Nashville and pairs them up with songwriters to give them the opportunity to tell their story through a song. We also have two three-week, fully-accredited art courses (at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Virginia Commonwealth University) which teach veterans how to use conceptual-based art techniques to communicate their experiences from war. We are a 100% veteran-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all the veterans that attend our program are paired up with another veteran that has come through the program and can relate to their experience.
Guitars for Vets
A non-profit organization designed to enhance the lives of ailing and injured veterans by providing them with guitars and music instruction. It is our hope that self expression through the gift of music will help restore the feelings of joy and purpose that can be lost after suffering trauma.
Harvest Guitars for the Troops
Harvest Guitars For The Troops is committed to providing quality guitar packages to service men and women around the world. Benefits of playing the guitar include musical enjoyment, education, music therapy and physical rehabilitation. At Harvest Guitars For The Troops, we respect the soldiers who currently serve in the military and honor those veterans who have given so much to protect our great nation.
Heroes' Voices
Heroes’ Voices helps veterans build confidence and community by connecting them with the power of music. Veterans raise their voices together in song with our free music workshops, free online guitar lessons, and on-line resources. Launched in the San Francisco Bay Area, we are expanding throughout the USA.
Music for Veterans (Erie, PA)
We are a non-profit organization serving the men and women who have served our country. If you've served in the military at any time and in any branch of the service, you are welcome to join us in the life-long practice of attaining peace through playing a musical instrument.
Music 4 Vets (Music 4 More)
Music 4 Vets is program of Music 4 More. Our mission is to provide instruments to programs that work with our nations veterans.
Music Healing Veterans Canada
We are a dedicated not-for-profit organization of veteran and civilian volunteers with the objective of bringing FREE music instruction, loaner equipment and companionship to our local: Military Veterans (Regular or Reserve; All Branches), First Responders (Fire, Police, EMT), Medical (Doctors, Nurses, etc.), Corrections Canada, and Canada Border Services personnel.
It’s such a wonderful opportunity to expand the local music community. Let’s face it - Canada is known for amazing music and the most kind-hearted people in the world! Are you one of them? What a wonderful opportunity to share your musical talents with our heroes in uniform. Unfortunately, far too often the work day doesn’t end once you clock out. Both, physical and mental injuries can cause such a negative impact on our lives. As a result, it becomes easy to isolate ourselves and stop doing the things we love.
Group music lessons can offer a sense of community, a healthy creative outlet, and integrate back to the simple joys in life. Music Healing Veterans Canada looks to offer a very relaxed, fun, and casual vibe.
NO DRAMA - NO TRAUMA - JUST GOOD MUSIC AND COMPANY!
MusicianCorps (San Francisco, CA)
MusicianCorps is a program of Center for Music National Service (MNS), a social enterprise based in San Francisco that promotes music for public benefit and social impact. MusicianCorps trains and places musicians as teachers, mentors and care workers in public schools, children's and veterans hospitals and other settings where music can reach, teach and heal. MusicianCorps also promotes the role of music in society through advocacy and policy development.
Music is the Medicine Foundation
The Music Is The Medicine Foundation is a national non-profit organization that was created to positively impact people's lives through the healing power of music and our belief that music can inspire tangible change in the world.
Our vision is to bring together a diverse community of individuals and artists to inspire others through the following programs and initiatives:
The “Healing Guitars” program which will provide guitars and lessons for kids and adults facing challenges in their lives and allow them to realize the healing power of music and dream of things that could be.
The “On the Wings of a Song” program which will allow people to express their feelings through song with Anthony’s help. This will help to provide a voice for those that might not have one now through songwriting.
Concert Events- We will look to bring together local and national artists for concert events in an effort to spread the message of healing through music and raise awareness of the Music Is The Medicine Foundation.
Fundraising- We will strive to be actively raising funds to ensure that we are able to positively impact as many people as possible. We will do this though donations and other events.
Local Community Events- We believe that it is important to give back and unite the local community and will look to be a part of local events to spread the healing message at home.
MusiCorps (Washington, DC)
It is difficult to imagine the life of a severely wounded warrior recovering at Walter Reed. Wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan, many have had their lives blown up in every sense of the word. Musicorps is an intensive music rehabilitation program that helps them recover their lives.
Musicorps replicates “real world” music relationships so that injured veterans work on, and are motivated to work on, robust goal-oriented projects many hours a day. Musicorps integrates individualized projects, regular visits by accomplished musicians, and the use of specially-assembled computer-based music workstations along with traditional instruments. Working in any musical style they prefer, wounded warriors are able to learn, play, write, record, and produce original material.
Music Therapy of the Rockies (Retreat locations - Nashville, TN, Dickerson, MD, Milford, IA, Cleveland, OH, Atlanta, GA)
Music Therapy of the Rockies (MTR) is a nonprofit organization and our mission is to help heal those who have experienced trauma. Music Therapy of the Rockies helps people with trauma, especially veterans, find healing through music therapy. Our retreats are run by board-certified music therapists and incorporate mindfulness, self-expression, and therapeutic songwriting with professional songwriters — plus, the gift of a guitar to learn new coping skills.
Music Therapy for Veterans (California)
Music Therapy For Veterans (MTFV) mission is to serve those who are so valiantly serving or have served in the Armed Forces of the United States. MTFV provides a variety of trauma-conscious sound and frequency-based wellness options for optimal healing, health and resiliency. MTFV has joined forces with individuals and organizations in the medical, holistic, academic, business, entertainment and hospitality industries offering trauma-sensitive and evidence-based wellness support.
By co-hosting post traumatic growth events such as concerts, workshops, education, mentoring and employment programs, MTFV is benefiting active duty military service personnel, veterans and their families, nationally and worldwide.
Operation Encore
Operation Encore is a collaboration of singer-songwriters and musicians from across the veteran and military communities. Our organization focuses on two primary goals. First, Operation Encore provides opportunities and talent development for selected artists aspiring to take their music to a professional level. Second, we provide a unique service to the public, helping to bridge the gap between reality and public perception of veterans through the powerful medium of original music. We seek out talent from across the military and veteran communities, and offer selected artists unique opportunities, including professional networking education and training, live performances, marketing, advertising, talent development, studio time, distribution of music, and much more.
Operation Song (Tennessee)
Operation Song is a non-profit based in Nashville, Tennessee. We pair professional songwriters with veterans, active military and their families to help them tell their stories through song. We hold weekly workshops in Middle Tennessee and sponsor events and group retreats throughout the U.S. Those we serve need no musical background, only the desire to tell their story. In a typical session, the songwriter listens and encourages the participant to lay out the "puzzle pieces" of his or her experience. Together, they arrange those pieces into verses and choruses. The result is a complete song that they can call their own.
Redcon-1 Music Group
The mission of Redcon is to help control symptoms of PTSD for our warfighter community through music and making music. The benefits of music therapy include:
- Reduce stress, depression and anxiety
- Increase in expressing emotions
- Reconnect with friends and family
- Bring comfort towards dealing with PTSD, for both veteran and family
- Decrease pain
Redcon offers:
- How to videos:
- Music for deployed Troops
- Veterans workshops
- Events
- Fundraiser
- Music therapy
- and much more coming soon
Resounding Joy (San Diego, CA)
Resounding Joy works directly with returning military service members who are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury, Alcohol and Drug Addictions, and other psychological and physical ailments related to combat stress and trauma. Current funding and support for our military programs is provided by individual donors and a variety of foundations. Resounding Joy is honored to work closely with the military providing music therapy services and promoting supportive musical environments amongst active and retired military members.
Six String Heroes at Jefferson Barracks (Quincy, IL and Ellisville, MO)
The mission of Six String Heroes at Jefferson Barracks is to provide guitar lessons and guitars for United States veterans who are suffering from mental or physical injuries as a result of military service. We believe music has the power to restore the soul.
Soldier Songs and Voices (San Marcos, TX)
Soldier Songs and Voices exists to serve our veterans with FREE music lessons, instruments when necessary, and a means of creative expression through music & song writing.
We are musicians, grateful to the men and women of our armed services for the freedoms we enjoy as a result of their sacrifice. We proudly offer veterans and musicians alike an opportunity to share with each other the incredible powers of expression and camaraderie that only music offers. We owe them this at very least, for all they have already given us!
Songwriting with Soldiers (Austin, TX)
SongwritingWith:Soldiers operates from a simple principle — pair returning active duty soldiers and veterans with professional songwriters in a retreat setting to craft songs about personal experiences in combat. With a focus on collaboration and building trust, this innovative program, founded by Austin, Texas singer-songwriter Darden Smith, offers a unique path to help soldiers, their families, communities and our nation cope with the aftermath of combat duty and the challenges in returning home.
Sounds of Acoustic Recovery (SOAR) (Clarksville, TN, Nashville, TN and Louisville, KY)
Sounds of Acoustic Recovery enriches the lives of veterans, service members, and their families through music, the arts, and community. We serve those who have served our country by providing not only free guitar lessons, but also a community of like-minded individuals. This positive social environment helps to bring a smile to the faces of those who need it most.
Our mission is to serve veterans, service members, and their families by giving them a positive social environment with music as the core medium of connection.
Through teaching how to play music on the guitar and other instruments, we strive to create a positive social experience and ties of camaraderie based upon the mutual experience of service and sacrifice to our local communities and our country.
SOAR is free and open to all those who serve and have served. This includes: all active duty military, all veterans as well as first responders such as EMTs, police, firefighters, etc.
We here at SOAR are passionate about taking care of all those who have served.
Military service members are not the only ones who may suffer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Learning to play a musical instrument in a positive social environment can be a very beneficial way to heal inner wounds that traditional medicine cannot address.
Learning to play a musical instrument can also be very beneficial as physical therapy, helping to build coordination and dexterity in fine muscle movements and hand-eye coordination.
Strumming for Vets
Most of you are aware of the sacrifices our veterans have made for us. What many people are not aware of is the continuing sacrifices vets face when they come home. Repeated surgeries and years of rehab and adjustment. Some pretty tough stuff.
Strumming for Vets is an organization that has come up with a way to help restore the feeling of joy and self-worth that can be lost after extreme trauma. With donated guitars and teachers donating their time, these vets are given a new type of therapy that works!
Your donation of musical equipment (guitars, stands, tuners, etc.) would be greatly appreciated. A generous donation of $100.00 will buy a vet a brand new guitar.
The Healing Box Project (Gravois Mills, MO)
Bringing healing to soldiers, one guitar at a time.
The Rock Club Music is the Remedy (Long Beach, CA)
The Rock Club Music is the Remedy is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives and well-being of veterans, at-risk youth and other groups through music instruction, education, and mentoring.
Rock For Vets is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives and well being of disabled military veterans in the greater Long Beach area through music instruction and rehabilitation, one on one mentoring and life skill coaching. Through music instruction veterans from the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Spinal Cord and Brain Injury and other emotional and physical traumas find that involvement in the Rock For Vets program reduces stress, improves their quality of life and begins the healing process by engaging with other vets and reaping the rewards of the small successes they experience while learning to perform as part of the band.
United States Veterans Art Program (USVAP) (Chicago, IL)
The United States Veterans Arts Program is a Chicago-based non-profit that has melded contemporary veterans issues with community-based support, in order to highlight one of the most crucial concerns of our times: improving the health of the military and veteran population that suffers not only from physical disabilities, but also from PTSD and other mental health needs. USVAP believes that art can address many of these issues: for this reason, we provide "Artistic Tools" (musical instruments, paints, photography equipment and other art supplies) to veterans and veterans medical facilities. We also provide employment opportunities and resume/portfolio building to veterans actively involved in music performance and production.
By encouraging and supporting an aesthetic response to the military experience, we hope to emphasize the diversity of the veteran population and to create a new identity of veterans as people who are capable, gifted, and resilient, and also that they often possess the very voice that society needs to hear and to heed.
Vet Arts Connect (Maryland)
Vet Arts Connect supports the health and well-being of Maryland military veterans by connecting them with vital experiences in nature and the creative arts. Consistent with scientific findings, many veterans report that artistic expression and encounters with nature improve their mood, self-confidence, and ability to manage stress.
Veterans: Learn new stuff, meet other veterans, and have fun hiking, playing music, fishing, writing, creating art, and more.
Veterans National Entertainment Workshop
The Veterans National Entertainment Workshop helps veterans cope with stress and maintain a level of positive mental health through music, dance, theater, and entertaining productions in which they can directly participate. This nonprofit program offers veterans the opportunity to perform their own material for the general public. Those who participate will be afforded the opportunity to work with Hollywood professionals. Those who do not perform will be given the opportunity to work developing sets and helping with the technical aspects of production.
Vet-Traxx Project Inc (Sacramento, CA)
The mission of Vet-Traxx Project Inc is to provide veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, and other disabilities with a musical outlet in a recording studio environment by enabling them to utilize their musical talents as a voice of expression. It has been proven that music is an effective form of therapy; providing an outlet for emotions, notion of using song, sound frequencies and rhythm to treat physical ailments. Providing therapy through music can benefit our veterans in so many different ways:
1. Decreasing stress, anxiety, anti-social behavior
2. Connecting with other veterans who have similar experience
3. Using music as a way to express feelings/thoughts
4. Building up self-esteem
We have a team of studio musicians available to aid in the writing/recording process. We have created partnerships with top music industry vendor’s who will be providing musical instruments as well as equipment, so the veteran will not need to possess an instrument to be a client of VTP. Everything is provided for them to use at the recording studio. All of this for no charge to the veteran.
Voices of Valor (Music For All Seasons, Inc.) (Scotch Plains, NJ)
A unique opportunity for veterans to work with songwriters to create a song based on your experiences and reflecting who you are - no musical experience required!
A program designed to honor your experiences and help you use music to ease the transition from military to civilian life.
Warrior Cry Music Project (San Antonio, TX)
Warrior Cry is a group of volunteers who work with wounded Soldiers at bases around the country. We provide the Soldiers with musical instruments and then teach them to play. Music is a great form of physical and mental therapy. Working closely with therapists to create a positive educational and therapeutic music program, Warrior Cry gives wounded soldiers something positive to work toward and helps to get their minds off of their injuries. Music also helps get our wounded soldiers out of their shell and interested in socializing with others.
Warrior Songs (Madison, WI)
Warrior Songs is a non-profit organization committed to facilitating healing through the creative arts. Our mission is to assist veterans in more fully understanding and integrating all aspects of the military experience by transforming their traumatic experiences and struggles into an art form which both inspires and is life affirming, thus motivating their continued healing.
We also provide educational opportunities for non-military community members to learn more about veteran issues (Post Traumatic Stress, Military Sexual Trauma, and Traumatic Brain Injury).
Warrior Voices (Colorado)
Headquartered in Colorado, Warrior Voices is a non profit organization that exclusively trains and employs military veterans and their spouses as voice actors and voice over artists. Warrior Voices also provides free audio recording equipment and sound booths to its graduating students.
Warrior Wellness (Holiday, FL)
Warrior Wellness Program utilizes an integrative approach to supplement the main modalities of ART, iRest and Adaptive Yoga. Some of these modalities include Music Therapy Techniques, Art Therapy Techniques, Meditative and Mindfulness Workshops, HydroMassage and TRX Training and Conditioning. Camaraderie building activities also play a large part at Warrior Wellness Program and support groups are offered monthly for those who would like to participate.
Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce - Annual Veterans Light Up the Arts (Wisconsin)
Calling all veteran, active military, and military spouse artists - We want to feature YOUR art at our annual Veterans Light Up the Arts event.
Signups are open to all veterans, active military, and military spouse artists and performers. Music, performance pieces, multimedia, video, visual art, and spoken pieces are all welcome.
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